Page 132 of Splintered Hearts

His arms.

Noah is everything good. Everything I need. “Do you hear me? You are incredible. You’re funny and so scary smart. You’re kind and sweet. I am in awe of you.” Noah wants me, and he’s the best person I know, so that has to mean something.

“I want you so fucking bad. Do you fucking hear me? You are wanted. No, fuck that. I need you. I need you so bad. I need your filthy jokes and mood swings when a book doesn’t go how you want it to. I need your shamelessness and adorable fucking attitude and the teasing jokes. The way you believe you can cook—”

Noah pulls back with a frown. “I am a Michelin-starred chef!”

Laughing, I shake my head. “No, baby. No.” I tilt his jaw to make him look at me and warmth flutters in my stomach.

Stepping forward, Noah folds himself into my arms. I press a soft kiss to his forehead and Noah chokes out a sob. I brace myself, ready for Noah to push me away but he doesn’t.

Instead, he whimpers, the sound so fucking sweet. “Jamie, you better kiss me right now.” My eyes are drawn to his, and the words take a moment to settle.

I go in for a kiss as Noah’s eyes flutter closed. Instead, I divert, running my nose along his jaw, inhaling his scent. Desire pools in my belly. “Noah.” Gently cupping his face, I tilt it up. Those green eyes hit me in the gut. “You’re mine. Do you hear me? Fucking mine.”

Noah swallows. I feel it under my thumb. “Then prove it.”

While I want to do just that, I have to know. “Was it bad? Before. Was it terrible?” I’m embarrassed as fuck but I need to know.

Noah loops his arms around my neck, a sigh leaving those pretty red lips. “The other night was the single most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced.” As I lean down to his lips Noah pulls back slightly. “You did nothing wrong. I’m sorry. I freaked out. You were perfect. It was just too much.”

“I was afraid I hurt you.”

The corner of his lip quirks. “Hurt me?” Nodding, I lean down for a kiss but Noah dodges it again. “Your dick is big but it’s not hurt-me big.”

I blink.

Then blink again.

This little asshole.

“I can’t stand you. I want you to know that.”

Noah laughs, and fuck, that sound just fills my heart, lungs, and bloodstream. It’s like trying to pull out of Lucifer’s hold as Noah giggles, latching on to me like a spider monkey.

“Get off me.” The sound of his laughter lightens any darkness left in me. I struggle to get out of his hold but Noah won’t let me go. It’s not like I’m really trying. “I hate you. You know that? You are now my mortal enemy.”

He loops his arms firmly around my neck and I stop struggling. Softening. Fucking melting. “Oh, Jamie.” Noah leans in, softly kissing the corner of my mouth. “You know how I feel about enemies to lovers.”

My eyes flick to his pouty mouth, then to those eyes I’d put way to much pain in. His soft pale skin is a flawless canvas to mark with my teeth. “We’re going to skip right past the enemies and get to the good part. Now get your cute ass on the bed.”

Thirty Two

Jamie

“If you puke in my fucking car I’m going to twist your nuts.” My eyes squeeze tighter and I press against the cool glass. Just don’t look, just don’t—

“Not helping, Bri.”

“Why aren’t we using your car?” Xavi must give her a look. “Oh. Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I grit, gripping the handle of Brianna’s car and not Xavi’s jeep. “I don’t think it would matter.”

“I was just thinking with Maddox’s jeep—”

“I got it!” Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes slowly, afraid to look outside. I need to get it under control, though. I’m going to give myself a heart attack. “Look, I’m okay.”

“You look gray.”

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