Page 55 of Fractured Mates

Still, I meant what I said before. I’m tired of running.

I assume Kyler takes my moment of reflection to mean that I don’t accept his previous apology, since he begins to do so again.

“Seriously, Sophie,” he pleads. “There’s nothing el?—”

With my good arm, I reach for the back of his neck, and my chest rumbles. “Shut up, Kyler.”

The smirk he gives me before our lips crash together is everything that I need to forget that we were just ambushed and nearly killed. His body continues to move toward mine as I lean back onto the mattress. Our lips never part, even as he settles over me, using one of his arms to lessen the amount of weight he’s putting on top of me as his other slowly moves up my side.

I moan from his light touches and the way he devours my mouth. Then, a second later, he stops, turning my sounds of pleasure to ones of annoyance.

He moves away from me and shakes his head. “You were nearly killed. I shouldn’t be…”

“You shouldn’t stop,” I say with a huff. “I’m fine.”

“But you almost weren’t.”

My eyes roll. Hard. “And I almost never came to South Carolina, meaning I almost never met you. Are we going to live life by almost?”

Now it’s his turn to sigh. “Sophie, we’re still bloody. I’m not going to…”

He seems to be having a really hard time finishing sentences, and it’s slightly comical.

“What? You’re not going to fuck me because of a little blood?” I ask teasingly.

His eyes darken, and in the next second, he’s back in my personal space. His face is only an inch from mine as he says, “Oh, I’m going to fuck you, all right, but not the first time. Not until you’re…mine.”

Oh, hell.

I might have just died and come back to life within the blink of an eye. How is this real right now? How can he be so sweet and then say things that make me feel as if he’s about ready to own me, body, mind, and soul?

“First, I’m going to take care of you,” he says, only backing up enough to tug at my shirt. “This needs to go.”

Before I can even attempt to pull the fabric above my head, he rips through the cotton material, casually tossing it to the side, as if that wasn’t completely hot as fuck.

“Are you going to be ripping all my clothes from my body?” I ask, trying to sound as hopeful as I really am.

“Maybe.” A sly grin tugs at the corners of his mouth, and I let him do whatever he needs so that we can get to the fun parts of the evening.

The day didn’t go at all how I expected. I still have no idea if my family is safe or already dead, but that’s a problem for tomorrow.

Tonight, I’m going to give everything I have over to this man. and I can’t wait to see what he does with me. Something tells me there’s a beast inside him, one I intend to poke at until he’s released.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kyler

Idon’t know what time it is, but as I slowly inspect and clean every inch of Sophie’s soft skin, I know I won’t be rushed. Every curve, scratch, and bruise are to be checked. Only when I have zero doubts about her wellbeing will I give in to my other desires.

My fingers brush lightly over her ribs, and my other hand uses the warm washcloth to press against her shoulder. The stab wound is nearly closed, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t internal damage still hurting her.

I saw that bastard twist the knife, saw the intent to inflict as much pain as he could upon her. The joy it gave me to rip his throat out was the only reason I hadn’t lost my shit before I knew Sophie was going to be okay.

Now, touching her and knowing she isn’t angry with me or trying to push me away, nothing else matters. All I can see is her. I feel the heat emanating from her body, hear the rapid beat of her heart. Its tempo increases as I get closer.

“We’re mates, Sophie,” I tell her, because I need to know that she understands what’s about to happen.

She nods, her eyes fluttering closed as her head leans to the side. “Hmm, yes.”

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