Page 82 of Beautifully Wounded

Shifting closer, I hate that we are huddled on the filthy green carpet, but love how close she’s letting me get. With my palm cupping her cheek, my gaze roams her face for any last signs of fear before I speak.

“Iwillkiss you, Angel, but just so you know, it won’t be the only time. Once you let me kiss those pretty plump lips, I’ll want to keep kissing them until you ask me to stop.”

Her caramel eyes widen a little at my words, but I don’t hesitate for a second longer, closing the small gap and pressing my lips to hers.

She’s trembling under my touch, and I consider if I should stop, but the moment I shift back the slightest, she follows, herhands fisting the front of my shirt like she can’t bear the thought of me moving away.

I part my lips, needing to taste her, and when hers part too, I gently brush my tongue between her lips, and feel her moan around it.

Fuuuuck.

In a flash, my other hand comes to her nape, my need to control her and keep her in place taking over. Instead of fighting me, Abbey’s trembling falls away as she melts against me and deepens the kiss.

The moment her tongue brushes against mine, a growl rumbles from my mouth into hers, the animalistic part of me wanting to truly claim her. To make her mine. To never let her go.

That fucking thought startles me, and I pull back, because what the fuck?

Five fucking days.

Five.

Fucking.

Days.

How the fuck can I be feeling like this after only five fucking days?

It has to be because I haven’t been this close to a woman in three years.

But that’s not right, is it?

How many times have Celina and Wendy attempted to seduce me? How many times have I let them grind their arses over my crotch, and rub their tits in my face, just for my cock to remain flaccid?

Then there was that time up in Sydney when the bar chick caught my attention. She got me hard, and even though I didn’tfuck her, I about came in my fucking pants, but then my mind went back to Kylie. To that day. That awful fucking day.

The worst day of my life.

“I’m sorry.” Abbey’s timid apology shakes me out of my thoughts, my eyes refocusing on the here and now and the sweet-looking angel in my clutches.

Shit.

She’s not the only one that’s damaged.

“Why are you sorry?” I ask breathlessly, stroking back some blonde flyaways that frame the side of her face.

“I didn’t mean to get carried away. It’s just…” She trails off, her trembling fingers coming up to touch her lower lip and I watch in awe as she traces her fingertips over the beautifully plump flesh. “I’ve never been kissed like that before.”

Her words are a whisper, and fuck if they don’t twist me up on the inside in the best kind of way. I can’t hide the fucking shit-eating grin that tugs at my lips as I chuckle.

“You think I’m a good kisser, then? Good to know, but why are you sorry?”

“Oh… uh… You stopped so suddenly. I really didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

Jesus. What I’d give for her just to let go and take. Be selfish. Worry about herself and her needs instead of pleasing everyone else.

“Actually, I’m the one who has to apologise. That wasn’t on you. It seems I have my own demons.” I point to my head, and the most fucking adorable frown brings in her brows.

“You do?”

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