Page 29 of The Good Girl

“Nooo. I just…” I blow out a frustrated breath, not sure how to put what I’m feeling into words. “I’m twenty-five, and I didn’t save it to just throw it away like half my friends did when we were teenagers. I wanted it to mean something. I never really got to date, so I held on to it and?—”

“And I took it while you were passed out. Fuck.” He kisses me softly, then pulls back. “I’m sorry it didn’t happen the way you wanted it to. But I’d be lying if I said I regretted it. I’ve spent the last few years alone. And then there you were, and you smell like cupcakes and fresh starts, and I really need a fresh start right now.”

“This will never work, Havoc. You’re all that, and I’m just… me. I’m boring. I don’t swear. I don’t drink, which is why I ended up in this mess in the first place. Heck, I’m a pastor’s daughter, for heaven’s sake. I won’t fit in here.”

“Of course you are,” he grins before turning serious. “You’ll never fit in, Cupcake, because you were born to stand out. I could spend the rest of my life watching you and never get bored.”

Yep. He’s insane. Figures. The first guy to affect me is a sandwich short of a picnic.

“You need to let me go. Let’s just pretend none of this ever happened.”

His grip on me tightens. “No. Fuck that. I’m keeping you.”

“Keeping me?” I snap. “I’m not a puppy.”

He pulls his hand away and runs it through his hair. When he does, I see a nasty-looking burn on his hand. I grab it and turn it over so I can get a better look.

“What happened?”

“Amity went over the cliff, and G went after her. I helped pull them back up.”

He says it so calmly. Whereas just the thought of it makes me want to scream.

“You pulled them back up?” I manage to choke out, staring down at his hand. A hand that helped save my best friend’s life.

“Of course.”

Of course.

Of course.

Of course.

It’s such a simple phrase for something so huge.

I press a kiss to the tender part of his palm and hear him suck in a sharp breath. I look up at him. “Thank you.”

“I’m going to scare you,” he growls, and I jump at his words.

“I’m going to terrify you down to your bones, Cupcake.”

“What? Why? I don’t understand.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Sorry for every tear I’ll make you cry.”

“You’re right. You are scaring me,” I admit, thinking I need to get the heck out of here. I need a change of underwear—and maybe a restraining order.

His nose skims down mine before he pulls back and climbs off the bed. He stands there, holding out his hand. Surprised, I take it, and he helps me off the bed.

“Let me take you for a ride.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Havoc.”

“It’s just a ride. Come on, say yes.”

“I don’t know, Havoc. I’ve never been on a bike before, and I’m definitely not dressed for it.”

“Don’t say no.”

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