Page 14 of His Fractured Girl

My heart starts ticking as fast as his turn signal. All my preconceived notions are starting to fade. His foundation is truth. From the moment Maddock opened his mouth, I should’ve known he was lying. But I chose to ignore all the little red flags, wanting to believe he could actually want me. He didn’t stand on truth; he stood on hatred.

“I really want to kiss you, Sophie.” My thoughts clear as his words settle over me. The car has stopped again. We’re parked in the restaurant parking lot, and the way he’s looking at me… The walls are crumbling fast. The doubts turning to dust, and blowing away as he inches closer. It feels like the temperature has risen in the air. A nervous sweat breaks out across my skin.

“If you don’t want me to, tell me now, babe.”

My mouth stays closed. Any protest I should have is locked behind iron bars of hope. Hope that I’m not falling into a trap again. Hope that this gut pull that’s drawing me toward him isn’t leading me astray. He makes his final descent, and I’m swept right up into his warmth. The rays of heat prick over my skin as his lips slowly part the seam of my reservation. I melt right into the kiss. Every sweeping pass of his tongue parting another cloud in the sky, and I bask in the feeling.

His hands grip the back of my head, tugging me closer, clinging to me like he doesn’t want me to slip away. The only things slipping away are the handcuffs of my fears. He’s teasing me back to life. His tongue igniting a hunger that has been suppressed for so long.

“We have to stop, babe. My willpower is only so strong.” He pulls away and I nearly groan at the loss. But I should be grateful that one of us has the strength to put the brakes on. “By the way, that’s two points deducted for putting me in a painful state.” He cuts me a look.

I smirk at his ragged voice, excited that I’m having that effect on him. “I’ll be sure not to make the mistake again, Mr. Hunt.”

“But you get five bonus points for it being the best kiss I’ve ever had.” He winks, and then he’s turning and exiting the car, coming around to my side to let me out. I take a deep breath, trying to lock down the giddiness before I step out of the vehicle. I need to be cautious. The chemistry may be electric and the banter may be fun, but he hasn’t seen beneath the surface yet. My truth just might scare him away.

6

Travis

Idon’t want our date to end. This night has been one of the best I’ve ever had. She’s incredible. All night, the conversation flowed, and the spark was sizzling like a current between us, making it difficult to concentrate. Flirting with her is fun, and I love that she gives me shit. She’s witty and goofy—and absolutely breathtaking. That kiss we shared earlier is still lingering in my thoughts, tingling in the base of my sac. I’m hoping she’ll give me another one.

She stops in front of her door and turns. I really don’t want our night to come to an end.

“Can I see you again tomorrow, babe?” I’d ask to take her to breakfast, but I think that might be coming on too strong.

“I’d like that, Travis. But…” She swallows hard, and I don’t like the nervous tinge to her voice or that three-letter word she’s left hanging in the air. Those three little letters feel like a defensive line that I’m going to have to tackle my way through.“The fact that you’re graduating in the spring is still a concern for me. I don’t want to get wrapped up in something that I know will be ending soon. I…”

I hold my finger up to her lips, cutting her off. She doesn’t need to waste any more of her precious breath because casual is definitely not what I’m looking for with this girl. I’ve never felt anything so right. But voicing that to her might just scare her off.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, Sophie. I wouldn’t be pursuing you if I didn’t see a potential for a future. At this point in my life, I’m looking for something real. I’m not interested in playing the field anymore.” The football field is the only one I want to play on. “But if long distance isn’t for you, you better break my heart now rather than string me along.”

Her pretty smile triggers my heart to boom in my chest. It’s crazy to think that after just one date I could already be starting to have feelings for the girl. But from the moment we collided yesterday, I felt it. That electric spark. Like there was something different about her. Something special. And after tonight, I know there is.

“I’m not opposed to long distance.”

Oh, that shy little smile has my cock starting to rise. Her eyes drop to my mouth, and I take it as an open invitation to move forward. I lower my head, pressing my lips to hers, and feel the impact on my nerves the moment we connect. Her little fingers cling to me as I pin her up against the door, turning her head to an angle so I can drive in deeper. Her taste is addictive and the little sounds she’s making are resonating right between my legs.

“Do you want to come in?” Her breathless whisper hits my lips, and my hands grip her tighter.

“Are you going to hold it against me if my answer is yes?”

Her answering smile gives me another good thump in the chest.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to say yes.”

“I’d love to come in, pretty girl.”

She turns, opening the door, and I follow right in after her, my eyes glued to the curve of her backside. Admiring how full and round it is. I could sink my fingers into it—and my tongue if she’d let me.

“I still meant what I said, Travis.” She turns, raising a brow as she catches me checking her out. I can’t help it. No hot-blooded male could help themselves. The girl was gifted with quite an asset. “I’m not ready for sex.” And I’m not expecting anything more than what she’s already given me. Honestly, I just want more time with her.

“We can just cuddle in your bed and watch a movie, babe. All I want is to spend time with you. And maybe steal a few more of those kisses.”

The way her eyes light up does something to me. I’m already feeling protective of the girl, so even if she suddenly changed her mind and told me she was ready for more tonight, I’d shut it down. I actually want to wait with her. Make it a special moment. And make sure she trusts me with that special gift.

“I’d like that.” She goes to her dresser, pulling out some clothes before she heads into her bathroom. I turn to get settled, knowing exactly which one is her bed. The magenta comforter is the first giveaway. But there’s a painting hanging above it that I know is hers. A beautiful rose with a broken stem. Its blossom drooped toward a snowcapped ground with the petals falling like raindrops—or tears. It’s incredible. The detail. The realism. The beauty…and sadness. She’s going to be amazing in marketing design one day. She really is talented.

I sit down on her bed, running my fingers over the place she lays every night, fighting the urge not to bury my nose and breathe her in. Knowing this is the place where she strums her needs has me groaning. I climb into the spot, propping myself against her pillows. Right here. Just like this. Her fingerssneaking down under her pink comforter. Rubbing her sweet pussy.

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