Page 52 of Saving Her

“Does that include you?” he jokes.

I slap at him playfully. “Get over yourself. You know how hot you are. You don’t need me stroking your ego.”

“Just because someone might look good without clothes doesn’t mean they’re a good person, Wildcat.”

“True enough, but you forget, I know the man who faced death to rescue two women who really meant nothing to him.”

“Gabriella—”

“I know you’re good, inside and out.”

King studies me and then brings his face down, pressing his lips to mine. I gasp in shock and his tongue slides in. I freeze at first, then close my eyes, and give in to the urge to return the kiss. Deep inside, I’m hoping his kiss can stave off the nightmares I have had every night since my rape.

Chapter 33

King

I’m not sure what it is. Maybe it’s because Shelby destroyed something in me by kicking me to the curb for another man, and Gabby’s sweetness is like a balm over that. Hell, it could even be that, in my own way, I’m as broken as she is. Whatever the reason, this one kiss is so good that it takes a forcible effort to pull away from her.

“Gabriella,” I whisper. “You are a surprise.”

She looks up at me, her fingers sliding against her lips. I had thought her eyes were blue or maybe green. To be honest, I didn’t look that closely. Right now, however, they look more hazel. That bluish-green hue is there, but there’s a golden brown surrounding them. They’re beautiful, but the tears shining in their depths nearly do me in. I wasn’t lying when I told her I wished I could bring those sad fucks back—just to kill them again. She deserves retribution.

“Surprise?” she asks, biting down on her lip. Her breathing is erratic. I know she’s enjoyed the kiss. The only problem is, I can also see fear on her face.

“That might be one of the best kisses I’ve had, Wildcat.”

“I was just thinking the same about you, King.”

“But …” I murmur.

Gabby slowly sits up and gives me a sad smile. “But …” She lets out a disgusted sigh, pulls herself up on the bed, and looks at me. “I want to, I swear. It’s just … I think it would be a mistake to do this.”

“Are you scared?” I ask, frowning as I stare at her. Truth is, I don’t want to stop. I want her. It doesn’t matter that it won’t go anywhere past tonight. I want to be the man who shows her she can enjoy sex again. I want to give her the tenderness that she deserves right now.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,” she admits quietly, holding her head down.

“Damn, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you of the rape.”

“It’s not that. I actually feel very safe with you.”

That makes me smile and I reach out and push a small portion of her soft hair behind her ear, allowing the pad of my index finger to caress her cheek. “You’re going to have to explain that one to me, honey.”

“I’m fucked up, King, and I don’t mean just from the rape. Besides, I’ve already been involved with two of Dragon’s sons. I don’t think I’m brave enough to tackle a third.”

“If it helps, I don’t consider myself one of his sons,” I respond. Her reasoning irritates me, but I don’t want that to show. She couldn’t guess what a sore spot Dragon is right now. I am warring with myself when it comes to him. The way Kayden and the others are claiming me as a brother has thrown me for a loop.

“Well, you should. It’s clear from just watching you tonight that they want you in their lives?—”

“Wildcat—”

“They should, too. You’re a good man, King. One of the best I’ve ever known. You’re definitely too good for the likes of me.”

“Stop that, Gabriella. I don’t like it when you put yourself down. You have enough people around you that seem to do that as it is.”

“I’ve given them reason to, King,” she responds so quietly that I have to strain to hear her. I pull her into me and hold her against my chest, as I let my hand slide back and forth on her back. “Maybe you have, but you are not just your mistakes, Gabby. We all make those?—”

“Mine are bigger than the normal mistake, King.”

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