Page 86 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

I squeeze my eyes shut as both hands move down the sides of my body. His thumb runs circles at the curve of my breast biting on my bottom lip, I say, “Thanks, you smell nice, too.”

He drops his head, gaining my attention. “I’ve been goin’ out of my fuckin’ mind not bein’ able to see you. Do you get that?” His eyes hold so much emotion, regret, pain, desire.

“Me, too,” I whisper, and his brow raises. “Really? Have you?”

I nod shyly, feeling my cheeks heat. I look down at the floor and admit, “It was killing me not knowing how you were, not being able to visit you in the hospital. My dad wouldn’t allow it, he made sure I couldn’t get out of the house.”

“Look at me.” I do and stare into his almost black eyes. “You must know how I feel about you. I don’t just bring any girl back here. I want you, Lexi. I want you with me.”

Did I just hear him right?

Rhyder wants me.

I hold onto his arms. “I don’t see how. My dad will never allow it.”

“Don’t worry about him, let me handle it.” I smile, joy washing through me. “Now, before I kiss that sexy-as-fuck mouth of yours, I need to talk to you about somethin’, and I’m not sure you’re gonna want to go there.”

Rhyder grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bed, then sits down and places me on his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck, curious as to where the conversation is going. He takes a deep breath, then kisses my forehead. He runs his thumb over my lips, and I feel myself get wet. His hands cup my face, and he licks his lips. “Did he touch you?”

Shocked, I recoil and feel my stomach drop.

I can’t.

I can’t go there.

I try and get off his lap, but his hands keep me still.

“I need to know, baby. I know it’s hard for you, but I’m goin’ out of fuckin’ mind since the day I found you. I knew somethin’ had happened when I saw you were half-naked.” Rhyder stops, then pulls my hair away from my face. “Tell me, did he force you to have sex with him?”

My eyes blur with unshed tears. “Baby, it’s okay. Just tell me the truth. I promise you I won’t bring him up again.”

I sniffle. “We… we didn’t… we…”

“Tell me, baby, I need to know.”

I shake my head. “No, we didn’t have sex.”

He lets out a breath and smiles. “Good.” His hands move from my face running down my arms. “Is there somethin’ else?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek, unsure about how I should tell him. “He… ah… he kissed me.”

Rhyder nods, understanding. “Is that all?”

Reluctantly, I shake my head. “Did he touch you?”

Oh, God.

I nod, and I watch his jaw clench.

“What else.”

Tears now roll down my face. “Don’t make me say it… I’m ashamed.”

Rhyder holds me to him.

I lay my head on his shoulder and finally tell him, “He went down on me, kissed me there.”

I feel his body tense beneath my face, and he pulls me back, anger washes over him in waves. I can tell he’s trying to control himself when he says, “It’s okay, baby, he won’t touch you again, that I promise.”

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