Page 26 of Dangerous Lies

She hoped, in the end, shecouldpick up the pieces of her heart. Tyler was the only constant in her life. “I want you. No need to win me over with your bug talk. Even in the bug porno they didn't talk this much.”

He gripped the back of her neck, so she couldn't look away.

“You seem to think this is a one-time thing. If you onlyknewwhat I really wanted to do to you.” His voice dropped. “Rose, you make me want things I never thought possible. I want to tie you to the bed and spend hours worshiping your body.”

His words should make her scared. Instead, she was even more curious about whatitwould be like to be powerless under his touch. She’d had to make every decision for years and had no support system.

Ginger wouldn't use sex as a way togetback at her for keeping his son a secret. He seemed genuine when he’d told her he wouldn't take her boy away.

“I want to try…but what happens if I'm bad at all of this?”

He pressed his lips to hers, and his tongue swiped across her lips. This kiss wasn't sweet like the last one, he was dominating and full of need. As he cupped her breast, she couldn't hold back the moan.

She'd never realized a man's touchcouldsend tingles through her entire body, and they hadn't even had sex yet.

Ginger pulled back from the kiss. “Stop stressing. Tonight, I'm going to take my time getting very acquainted with your body, and maybe we will have sex.”

“Maybe?” The word came out more like a squeak.

His deep chuckle vibrated against her skin. “Yes, tonight is all about you.”

“But what about…?” She pointed at his hard dick. “Don't you need to take care of that?”

He pinched her nipple, and her mind blanked.

“Don't worry about me...as I said tonight is about you.” He dropped his hand, and she missed his touch. “Now stand up, I want toseeyou completely naked.”

When she didn't move, he lightly slapped her ass. “Move.”

She jumped off the bed and stood by the edge. Only a shimmer of light came from the hall. Nobody had seen her naked, and she was self-conscious about the scar across her stomach. She had keptithidden for years...her sister didn't evenknowabout the night she gotit.

Except Ginger had a different idea. He tapped the lamp next to the bed.

She wrapped her arms around her stomach, not her breasts. She didn't want him toseethe ugly, jagged mark.

He folded his fingers around her wrists and pulled them away, leaving her completely vulnerable and open.

“Can we turn the lights off?” Her voice shook, not with passion but embarrassment.

He spread his legs, and tugged her until she was between his thighs. His eyes were level with her breasts, but they were on her long, jagged disfigurement.

“What happened?”

A chill slid through her body. “Itwas a long time ago.”

She tried to step back, but he kept her close. He lowered his head and pressed a kiss against her stomach.

“Ginger...”

“Scars are a part of us. They show the shitty parts of our life, the ones we survived. My body has them, and they remind me of a time I madeitthrough the pain. This mark doesn't define you. Instead,itmakes you a stronger person.It'syour badge from a battle, and you should showitwith pride.” He reached up and wiped the tear from her face. “Tell me aboutit.”

“You really like to talk too much,” she grumbled.

He moved her so she straddled his legs. The positionfeltso intimate to talk about a failure.

“I was fifteen. Brit would disappear for days and return with a stack of money. I never asked where she would go, mostly because I didn't want toknowthe truth. She'd asked this boy who was in the building around my age to guard me when she left for long periods. In return, we shared food and clothing with him. I've never talked about the nightithappened with anyone.Itwould be easier with clothes on.”

His hand glided over her bare back. “I like you naked, so no clothes. Tell me what happened. Did this boy hurt you?”

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