Page 85 of Beautifully Wounded

She shrugs like it’s neither here nor there. “I guess it doesn’t matter now. It happened, and then my life changed.”

“How so?” I ask, needing more details.

“My mum was adamant that Lexi was the one to lead me astray. They used to feel sorry for her, you know, because her parents neglected her so much. They didn’t mind that she stayed over a lot when she was little, or that they had to feed her. But when we turned into teenagers, things changed. They no longer liked those things about my best friend. Hated her music choices. Hated her messy hair, and that she didn’t carry herself like a lady. Hated when I went to her house for sleepovers while her mum was so spaced out.”

Her voice cracks then, and she takes a moment, clearing her throat like something is lodged in it.

“I didn’t help with how my parents felt about Lexi. I used her to cover up my own lies.” She shakes her head, dropping her chin to her chest. “When they smelled smoke on my clothes, I said it was from Lexi. When I got home past curfew, I said it was Lexi’s fault. When they found a love note in my school bag back in year nine, I said it was Lexi’s…” She trails off, a quiet sob escaping her. “It was no wonder when the shit hit the fan about Lexi’s home life that they refused to help. And the stuff with Daniel meant they used my pending marriage against me. If I put a foot out of line, the marriage would happen sooner. If I associated with Lexi, the marriage would happen sooner. If I disrespected them again, the marriage would happen sooner.”

Fuck. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going back to Fox Pines as soon as the lockdown is over to fucking slaughter her parents.

“Daniel’s feelings for me changed after we were sprung. It was clear he never really had feelings for me, and admitted later that being with me was a bet with his mates. They each had to make agirl fall in love with them and get the girl to give up their virginity within three months, at which time, they were to dump the girls and find a new one. The winner would get five grand at the end of the year. I was lucky number four for Daniel.”

“I’m going to kill him,” I mutter, not able to keep my thoughts in, and slowly, Abbey’s caramel pools lift back to mine.

She studies me, no fear in her gaze, but more curiosity than anything.

“You’re going to kill him?” she whispers, and I nod.

“Yes.”

She stares at me so intensely, for so long, that I start to fucking squirm under her stare, and then she says something I never thought I’d hear.

“Make it hurt.”

Fuck.

“I will, Angel. That’s a fucking promise.”

Her lips part and her eyes drop to my lips again, that need inside her once again taking over.

“There’s something wrong with me,” she whispers, and I frown.

“What do you mean?”

Her gaze shoots back to mine as she whispers again. “I ache.”

Fuuuuck. Even her tone sounds like it’s in pain as she admits to the arousal coursing inside her.

“I know you do, Angel. And I promise to help take it away as soon as you’re ready.”

She rubs her thighs together, the movement making the globes of her arse rub against my crotch, and my cock instantly awakens.

“Maybe I’m ready now,” she whispers again, and the edge of unsureness in her tone tells me everything I need to know.

“Not just yet. But I think you’ll be ready soon.”

She chews on her lower lip, keeping it trapped under her teeth for a few long beats, but then she snaps herself out of it, releasing her lip and sucking in a deep breath.

“You doing okay?” I ask, and she nods.

“You’re a distraction.”

Her admission has me throwing back my head, my laugh loud in my room, and that pretty fucking smile quirks up her own lips.

“I’m not the only one that’s a distraction.”

She blushes, ducking her head, and a moment later, all the colour drains from her face.

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