Page 91 of Revenge & Ruin

I choke back my own sob. “I thought…why are you crying?”

“I’m not ending this,” his voice is strained, hoarse from his tears. “I’m not strong enough, and I’m sorry for that. I’m so sorry for that.”

The relief is instant and washes over me like a salve on my burning skin.

“Don’t be,” I lean forward, resting my forehead against his. “I’m not strong enough either. I’m not sure if I ever was.”

He hums, closing his eyes to the touch. “You were convincing, though.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

For a moment, we just sit there, drinking each other in, breathing the same air, and taking so much comfort in it. It’s been a long day. A hard day. My body aches from last night's sex, from running away, from fighting Luis and the cartel.

“We’re going to figure this out,” I say again. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” I confirm.

“So, tonight?”

I nudge my nose down to his cheek and kiss the corner of his mouth. “Tonight, I’m going to thank you for saving me.”

He smiles against my lips. “In that case, I should punish you for running away.”

“It was necessary.”

“It was reckless.”

“Just fucking kiss me.”

His mouth crashes into mine, and it’s suddenly all worth it. The ache of my body, the sting of my arm, the bruise on my neck. I’d go through it all a hundred times if it meant I could havethis.

All of my senses are utterly consumed by him kneeling between my legs, his body reaching to press against mine, his hands caressing my back and his lips.

His fucking lips.

They won’t stay still for even a second. One moment, they are brushing against my neck, and then they’re attacking my mouth again, pausing only to take in air as if it’s in short supply.

I bunch my fists into his shirt, pulling him desperately closer. He climbs onto the couch, lowering me down gently as he lays on top of me, kissing and kissing and kissing as if he can’t taste enough of my skin.

Every place his lips graze leaves a fire behind in its wake. Agonizing and glorious, I crave more and more and more.

We’re pressed together so tightly that Teo almost crushes me when he returns to my mouth and deepens the kiss further. His tongue explores every inch of my mouth, lapping up every moan that escapes it.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” he whispers into my mouth.

And despite the fact it’s entirely impossible for him to do such a thing, Ibelieveit. Because it’s coming from him with such conviction, such certainty. Like I’m the only thing in the world he could ever care about.

The possessiveness of it all sets my skin ablaze, imbuing every touch with meaning and significance, like I’m something worth worshiping.

And fuck does it go straight to my head.

“Will you protect me from the bad guys?”

He grunts into my mouth. “If anyonetouchesyou again…”

“Why?” I ask because I want to hear him say it so badly.

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