Page 34 of Tell Me No Lies

I react, because the thought of her leaving me like this is more painful than the possibility of what I’ll become if I let myself have her the way I want. She barely makes it onto her back before I'm on her again, pinning her body in place with mine. "No. Don't leave."

"Tate," she takes a quick breath, "I can't keep doing this." One hand lifts to trace my lips. "I know how things can happen in the heat of the moment, but if that's the only time you're willing to touch me, then I don't want whatever this is."

"It's not about being willing, Piper." My lips move against her fingers and her eyes lock onto the motion.

"What's it about then?"

"Me." I drop my forehead to hers, closing my eyes against how perfect she looks underneath me. "I'm fucked-up." Fucked-up isn't the right word, but I can't tell her I'm fucking terrified. That everything I do is to prove I'm different than my father. Than the men women call us to get away from. And that the thought of anyone—including me—believing I'm not, cuts into my gut like a knife.

Piper’s other hand comes to the side of my face, and I can't resist the temptation to open my eyes—to take her in like this again.

She gives me a smile. "Welcome to the club. I hate to break it to you, but we’re all fucked-up, buddy."

She's trying to make me feel better, and I appreciate it, but one part of what she said sets me on edge. "Did you just call me buddy?" I shake my head at her. "I'm not your friend, Piper." I know I'm all over the place. I recognize the way I'm swinging back and forth. I feel every fucking shift. I just don't know how to stop it. I don't know how to go back to the way I was.

I'm not sure I can.

Piper lifts her brows. "What do you want me to call you?" Her chin tips. "If you're not my friend, then what does that make you?"

"I'm your boss." I give her the hard truth, hoping one of us will listen.

But Piper only laughs, the sound light and airy and breaking up the weight pressing down on me. "I hate to tell you this, but nobody's the boss of me." Her eyes narrow as they lock onto mine. "Nobody."

I've always loved her attitude. Her open willingness to defend not only herself but everyone around her. It makes me weak. It makes me stupid. Stupid enough to think keeping my hands to myself will save me from ruin.

But it’s too late for that. I'm already ruined. Destroyed by a dark-haired hellcat with a spine of steel and a tongue like a blade.

Piper sucks in a surprised breath when my lips claim hers, but her shock lasts less than a heartbeat and then she’s kissing me back. Her hands slide from my face to tangle in my hair, locking into the strands as her tongue meets mine. I groan against her open mouth as I get my first taste of her. It's both a balm and a flame. Searing and soothing at the same time.

Just like the rest of her.

Like every other time we've come together, I sink into desperation. But this time it isn't about claiming her—owning her any way I can. This time I'm too far gone for that. This time I'm taking. Giving myself what I need and showing her what I can offer.

I grip the hem of her shirt and her arms immediately lift, back arching as I work it up and off. The second it’s cleared her hands, she's grabbing me again, fingers sinking into my bare shoulders as I work the clasp of her bra open. Once it’s free, I push it out of the way, leaving it tangled between us, unwilling to separate again so soon. Keeping my touch light, I trace across the swell of one small breast, following a path to the puckered nipple tightening under my touch. I groan at the response her body has to me. "You're so fucking soft."

She’s what I need. What I want. I just have to figure out how I can have her without losing everything I’ve worked so hard for.

Dragging my mouth from hers, I slide down her body, lips never leaving her skin. Her back arches as I find the nipple I just stroked, teasing it with my tongue as she makes the softest, sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.

“Tate…” Her hips roll as she tries to get friction where she wants it, already seeking release.

I’ve led her to believe I don’t know how to take my time, and that’s a misunderstanding I need to rectify.

“Shh.” I let the air from my response blow across her spit-slicked skin. “Relax.” I drag my teeth across the puckered flesh.

The next sound Piper makes is a mixture of a scoff and a grunt. “But I need—”

“I know what you need, Sugar.” I flick the tip of her nipple with my tongue, smiling at the way she jerks beneath me. “And I promise I will give you all of it.” I lift my eyes to hers. “Eventually.”

14

THE DEVIL’S PAINT

PIPER

"EVENTUALLY?" THE WORD squeaks out as he draws my nipple into his mouth again. My eyes roll, but this time it's for an entirely different reason than normal.

Tate laughs, the sound low and deep as it vibrates from his mouth to my body, adding another layer of sensation and making my pussy throb. His mouth pulls free but doesn't go far. The slow swipe of his tongue across the crease where my boob meets my chest has me twitching.

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