Page 123 of The Price of Forever

But the deeper I went with Jordan, the less sure I was that I’d survive falling in love a second time either.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

JORDAN

We got back to Seven’s apartment building just after one a.m. We hadn’t spoken a word in the car in front of Harry, per Seven’s instructions. He didn’t want anybody knowing we’d been inside Eli’s drug den, and neither did I.

Our walk to his apartment was quiet. I’d been trapped in my thoughts the entire car ride, and now I had no idea where to begin. Sleep sounded best. A long hug also sounded great. But I was still confused about where things sat between Seven and me. I knew there was more to the story, but he wasn’t offering up details, and I was too confused to pry.

He reached to unlock his door, and his hands trembled. I touched him gently.

“Are you okay?” I asked softly, looking up at his face. He wore a hard mask of neutrality, his brows drawn. He nodded.

“I’m fine.”

“Have you eaten?” I pressed, watching the shake in his hands as he pushed the door open and stepped inside. I followed him to the island, where he dropped the keys on the counter. He sniffed hard, propping his hands on his hips as he stared at the floor.

“I might eat later,” he said distractedly.

“Are you sick?” I asked, reaching for his hand again.

He gave me a heavy look, one that carried the weight of the world. Then he opened up his arms and scooped me into his embrace. I melted against him, my body more than ready to comply. But on the inside, I had a million questions. What was going through his head? Why was he so jittery? What the hell was actually going on?

My eyes drifted shut, and I closed my arms around his neck. This felt nice. No, better than nice. Being in his arms was the deepest, most cleansing sigh of relief. I’d missed this during his brief period of distance.

But there was more behind this hug. It wasn’t for my benefit. It was for his. And I hated how warm and comfortable and safe he could appear, only to dig deep and find this brick wall waiting for me underneath.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” I whispered.

He was quiet for an eternity. Then he rasped out, “I can’t.”

I pulled back, searching his face for an answer. Something lurked beneath the surface. But if he wouldn’t tell me, I couldn’t pry it out of him. I wouldn’t beg him to share his secrets. I hoped by this point he wouldn’t want to keep any from me. I’d shared all of mine with him, and I didn’t like that there was something he couldn’t share with me.

Before I could sink into my thoughts, he dipped down and captured my lips in a kiss. But it wasn’t soft or tender. It was hungry, possessive. Like we hadn’t kissed in years.

He walked me backward, cupping the sides of my face as his tongue traced the contours of my mouth, tangling with mine. Each time we broke for air, he dove in for double. I whimpered through the kisses, clutching the backs of his hands until my ass bumped up against a windowsill at the far side of the apartment. His warm hands slid behind my thighs, hoisting me onto the wide ledge of the bay window overlooking the street. The exposed skin of my back touched the cool glass, sending shivers through me.

“Seven,” I breathed, grabbing his wrist, reaching for his torso to bring him closer. He filled the space between my legs, but the short, tight fit of my minidress prevented him from getting as close as we needed. He looked down, dazed, then yanked the skirt up around my hips. He grunted, his gaze drifting over my dress.

“How upset would you be if I ruined this dress?”

A bunch of questions sprang to mind, and I couldn’t quite find words. “Uh…I mean…”

“I’ll buy you a different one.” Then he tugged at the hem of the dress, tearing it up the middle with a loud rrrrrrrriiipppp. Sequins popped off as he tore the dress from bottom to top until it hung off both arms as useless scraps. My mouth dropped open, and I stared down at my thong panties and bare belly.

“Wh—why did you…”

“I don’t ever want to see this dress again,” he whispered into my ear, nipping at my lobe. My nipples were tight points as he tugged the rest of the fabric off me until it crumpled to the windowsill. “And next time you do anything with that creep, wear a bra.” His rough hands cupped my tits, his thumbs tweaking my pebbled nipples. “These are mine. He doesn’t deserve you going braless for him.”

The headiest thrill raced through me as Seven pushed between my legs, capturing my lips in a punishing kiss. When he spoke to me like that, I’d do anything he wanted. I was so turned on I felt like I could get off on his words alone. I hooked my ankles behind his back, rocking my hips in a circle against him. The thick ridge of his cock already strained against the zipper of his pants.

“So you get jealous, too,” I murmured between kisses.

“Try spending six hours at a house party watching me on someone else’s arm,” he bit out. “Then let me know how you like it.”

I smoothed my hands over his biceps while he claimed the hollow of my neck. Then I got to work undoing his shirt buttons, though I could barely concentrate on what I was doing. He yanked at his belt buckle, pants crumpling to his feet a moment later, followed by another rrrip.

Panties, destroyed.

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