Page 44 of Keep Me Safe

“Kira, what happened to you was not your fault.”

The air leaves my lungs in a sharp exhale.Not my fault.

I don’t move at first. I can’t. The words don’t make sense.Not my fault.I stare at him, searching his face for doubt, for hesitation, foranythingthat will prove he’s just saying what he thinks I need to hear.

But there’s nothing. Just unwavering belief.

He believes me.

The realization slams into me so hard my whole body trembles with it. A single tear slips down my cheek, followed by another. I don’t wipe them away.

Noah watches me carefully, his voice softer now.“Tell me what happened tonight. What triggered that?”

For a second, I think about not telling him. I hate admitting that Zach still has that much effect on me.

“He was there. When you walked away, he came up to me,” my voice is still shaky as I speak.

His jaw tightens as he takes in a breath. He’s upset. I shouldn’t have told him. He doesn’t need this extra stress.

“If he ever comes near you again, I’ll personally end him,” he promises.

His thumb comes up, wiping away what’s left of my tears. The weight that has been crushing me for years feels lighter.

He actually believes me.

We’re inches apart now, his hand still cupping my cheek. My eyes dart to his mouth, and I pull my bottom lip between my teeth. I would give anything to feel those lips on me. He catches the shift in my gaze, tightening his grip on my jaw. My heart pounds in my chest for a completely different reason this time.

“Kira,”Noah warns.

Before he can say anything else, I press my lips into his, my hand sliding up his chest. A groan escapes him as he kisses meback, pulling my lip between his teeth.

“We can’t do this,” he says, breaking the kiss. “This is not what you need right now.”

But I do need this. I need to know what it feels like to not be scared—to be with someone I know won’t hurt me. He eyes me, his gaze heated but his restraint visible.

“Please,” I whisper.

He lets out a ragged breath as his fingers trace up my neck, gripping my chin.

“Are you sure about this, princess?” he asks.

I nod, and his eyes darken. He grips the hair at the back of my head, angling my face up to his. His lips brush over mine, and I can’t wait any longer. I need more.

“I need you,” I breathe out.

The last cord of his control snaps as his lips devour mine, hungry and ravaging. He kisses me with such force that a whimper escapes my lips, fueling his fire.

He pulls me up onto him, and I straddle his lap, his hands sliding up my waist. I can feel him—already hard against me. Reaching up, I lace my fingers in his hair, tugging. He groans, smirking into our kiss.

He wants this just as much as I do.

chapter thirteen

noah

This is fucked up. I know that. But I can’t bring myself to stop.

She feels too good—too damn good—rocking against me, her body molding to mine like she was made for this. Her breath hitches as I tug at the hair at the nape of her neck, angling her mouth to mine. I devour her, lips sliding over hers, teasing, tasting. When I break away, I trail slow kisses along her jaw, down the column of her throat, sucking just enough to earn a soft, shivering moan.

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