Page 73 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

I didn’t want to be away from Lily longer than necessary, so I closed and locked the windows, then retraced my steps to the garage. All the while, I kept a sharp eye and ear on my surroundings. It seemed I was bound to be disappointed, because nothing happened the entire way back to Briarleigh.

I quietly let myself into the suite, and my feet automatically carried me in the direction of Lily’s room. I paused next to the bed, my heart beating hard in my chest. I’d needed to know she was safe, and the worry that clutched at my throat began to subside.

She was asleep, and I took a moment to study her. Her features were slightly pinched, as if worry plagued her, even in sleep. My gaze drifted over the contours of her pretty face, and my heart clenched at the sight of the trail of dried tears that stained her cheeks. She was always so damn strong; seeing her this way cut me to the quick.

As if she sensed my presence, her eyes flew open. Her body jerked, then stilled as recognition set in. Her gaze narrowed hatefully, then widened slightly at the sight of the knife in my hand. She writhed away from me, a scream penetrating the gag around her mouth.

“Lily, relax.”

She shrieked as I reached for her, eyes rolling with terror. Figuring it was better to just get it over with, I sliced through one binding around her wrist, then the other. Her body shook and she ripped the gag off as I removed the bindings from her ankles. She rubbed at her wrists, grimacing as her fingers slid over the abraded flesh.

“Lily…”

Her head swiveled toward me, the expression on her face rooting my feet to the floor. It was like watching a pot of water begin to boil. Her body trembled as her temper started low, then expanded upward until it exploded outward with a shriek of rage.

She was on me seconds later, like a lion pouncing on its prey. “You asshole!”

Her fists pummeled me, and I dodged to my left, narrowly avoiding a broken nose. “Goddamn it, Lily, stop!”

I tossed the knife to the floor, not wanting her to accidentally be cut.

“How fucking dare you?” she screamed. “You left me tied to the bed... All alone!”

I allowed her to vent her rage, her blows barely making an impact as she cursed me over and over. “You son of a bitch, I hate you!”

Suddenly she gave a heaving sob and collapsed. I caught her around her waist and pulled her to me. “Shhh... You’re okay.”

Her gasping breaths tore at my soul, and I clutched her close, holding her shuddering body as she cried. I settled on the edge of the bed, cradling her on my lap. “Everything’s okay.”

“I thought... you weren’t... coming back.” The broken words fell from her lips between heart-wrenching sobs.

I tightened my hold and kissed her temple. “Of course I was coming back. I would never leave you like that.”

She shook her head and sniffed. “I thought... It got dark and... I was worried you were…”

Her voice cracked again as she broke off, but I picked up enough details. She’d thought I was dead. My heart twisted again with guilt. “They can’t kill me.”

“They... t-tried.”

I tightened my hold on her. “But they didn’t succeed. And they won’t. I’ll protect you.”

She rallied enough to punch me in the chest. “You stupid ass.” She sniffled. “You c-could’ve died!”

I couldn’t believe what she was saying. No one ever cared what happened to me, not even myself. “You were worried about me?”

Her brows drew together and she smacked me again. “Idiot.”

I captured her small hand and enfolded it within my own. “No one’s ever worried about me before,” I said quietly.

She tipped her head up to peer at me, tears glistening in her pretty blue eyes. Anger lingered in the depths, but it was overshadowed by sheer desperation and grief. It ripped at my heart, and I curled my fingers into the flesh of her hip.

Lifting her hand, I examined her wrist. A bright red line bloomed over her pale flesh where the rope had cut into her skin. Dipping my head, I pressed my lips to the abrasion, gently kissing her soft skin.

I released her hand, and she settled it on my shoulder. She was no longer fighting me, her body curled into mine. Her breasts brushed my chest, and I could feel the rise and fall of her lungs as she dragged in a shaky breath.

Lust pooled in my groin, and my cock swelled against her bottom. I shifted her slightly, and her teeth cut into her bottom lip as my arousal pressed to the soft spot between her legs. Her nails dug into my shoulders, and her lips parted slightly, a delicate flush spreading across her cheeks.

I framed her face with my hand as desire took root deep in my belly. I swept my thumb over her bottom lip, and her gaze dropped to my mouth. She met me halfway as I leaned in, and our mouths clashed in a fiery kiss. I palmed her breast through her shirt and she wriggled restlessly.

---