Page 30 of Theirs to Ruin

And yet, something in me needed more—more proof that this was real, more ofhim.

I pressed my mouth harder against his, causing the cut on his lip to open. I tasted blood. He sucked in a quick breath, and in that moment, the entire dynamic of our kiss changed, turning rough. His tongue found mine, a demanding sweep claiming my mouth as his and his alone.

Dante was the first guy I’d kissed since Ty, and I sank into the luxury of being held and desired again.

When we finally broke apart, it was like resurfacing from a deep dive, my lungs aching for air. He stared at me, his chest heaving, his expression hard with desire. There was so much I wanted to say, to ask, but in that moment, my voice failed me. The only thing that mattered was the burning connectionbetween us. The lingering taste of him still on my lips only intensified my longing.

"I shouldn't have done that," Dante said, his voice so quiet it was almost drowned out by the beating of my own heart.

His regret caused pain to lance through me. “I’m the one who started it.”

“You’re a student?—”

“Is this because you’re older than me? I’m almost twenty. I’m capable of making my own decisions.”

Dante took a while to answer me. “It’s because I think you can do better than me, Peaches.”

“Better?” I said with a laugh. “You are kind, loyal, protective, not to mention sexy?—”

“You saw me beat a man to within an inch of his life,” Dante cut in, his voice harsh. “There are things you don’t know about me. I’m?—”

“A good man.”

“No, I’m not. Don’t idealize me, Camille. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into and I should know better.”

He shoved a hand through his dark tousled hair then stood, his boots crunching on the loose stones underfoot, a harsh sound contrasting with the melody still singing within me.

I stood up too. “The bruises on your face. Are they because of me?”

“My face is fucked up because of the company I keep.”

“Bikers?”

He nodded.

“Are you a member of Devil’s Outcasts?”

“I’m not a member. Not officially.”

“Was it payback? For beating up Serpent?”

“It was a reminder. But believe me, Vance and Talon went easy on me.”

“Did you at least give as good as you got?”

He barked out a laugh. “I’d say so. But you’re not supposed to take pleasure in that.”

“Too late.”

“Shit. I’m corrupting you already. Fucking with your head. You need to be with someone your own age. Someone like Kage.”

My jaw dropped in disbelief, and I couldn't help the scoff that escaped me. "Kage O’Hare? Never.” I thought about how Kage had rescued me only to tell Ava about that night. “Even if Kage was genuinely interested, which I doubt, I despise him now. He's an arrogant, insufferable dick."

Dante let out a snort, the corners of his mouth slipping into a reluctant smile. "Well, he has a dick," he shot back. “One I think you're going to be getting up close and personal with."

I blinked, his words rendering me momentarily speechless. A flush crawled up my neck. "Are you for real? Why would you even say that?"

He shrugged, trying to keep the mood light but failing to mask the seriousness behind his eyes. "I've seen the way he looks at you, the way you two dance around each other. It's like a goddamn tango."

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