Page 83 of Beautiful Scar

“Too bad.” I pat his muscular ass. This man is built like a freight train. “Go prepare my breakfast, please, and thank you.”

He sighs, rolls off me, and throws his sweaty shirt at my face before heading out.

I hold the shirt up to my face and breathe it in deeply. The smell makes my core clench. “Yep, I’m a weirdo,” I mutter to myself.

He holdsmy hand tightly as we stroll along the walking paths. Down below in the harbor, the water glitters in the sunlight. Boats bob slowly, moving with the gentle windblown waves. There are many other people around: joggers, young couples, old men playing chess, and a few buskers singing and playing instruments.

“Are you okay?” he asks, tugging me closer. I like that he keeps checking every once in a while, just to make sure.

“I’m fine.” Even though I’m not. I mean, not totally at least. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m really happy I’m doing this, but oh my god, my anxiety is going crazy.

I don’t remember the last time I did something like this. It’s so normal, just taking a walk around the park, but to me, it’s like diving headfirst into a pool filled with sharks. I spent twelve years of my life avoiding going out in public. Even an idyllic afternoon stroll is pushing my limits.

It would be even worse if it weren’t for the guards Tigran posted all over the place.

“I’m proud of you, you know,” he says, smiling into the distance. I can tell he’s trying hard not to make this a big deal. But he’s right—it kind of is huge.

“Thanks, I’m proud of myself too. You know, for finally entering the sunshine. I’m half surprised I didn’t explode into a shower of ash like a vampire.”

He squints at me, frowning. “You are looking a bit pale.”

“Stop, asshole.”

“Are you sure you’re not hungering for the blood of the innocent?”

“If that were true, I’d go looking for it somewhere else. Lord knows nobody’s innocent when you’re around.”

He tugs me tighter against him. “That’s right, and you enjoy every second of my sinful ways.”

“You’re a corrupting influence.”

“And you’re a prim little bad girl who needs to be taught a lesson.” His smirk is devilish and teasing as he leans down to kiss me.

“Easy,” I warn, my heart beating wildly. But I love it when he talks to me that way. It actually makes me feel bold, and I find myself scanning the area until I spot a stand of trees and bushes at the edge of the park, away from most of the other people. “I have an idea.”

He follows, slightly bemused, as I hurry over toward the relative privacy. There are still people around—an old man is reading the paper on the other side of the walking path—but we’re out of their sight line as soon as I slip through the tall, wild bushes. There are empty beer bottles and other random litter on the mulchy ground. Clearly, this is a popular spot with teens and others looking for somewhere hidden. I turn to him, mouth open, and throw myself toward his lips.

Mint and grass and sunshine fill my mouth. His hand grips my hair, and he overwhelms me with a starving kiss. I moan and writhe into him, my heart racing wildly. I’m terrified and freaking out, but I’m also turned on and mindlessly aching. I can’t help myself—I take his other hand and guide it to my jeans.

“Pisik,” he murmurs, giving me that delicious, knowing smirk. “You realize someone might see?”

“I don’t care,” I say, breathing hard. “I want it.” And I realize I’ve never done anything remotely like this before. It’s so far outside my comfort zone that I’m on the edge of a panic attack. The only thing keeping me grounded is Tigran, and I don’t want to stop now that I’ve started.

If I can cross this line, what else am I capable of?

He chuckles as he flicks open the button of my jeans and slips a hand down over my panties.

I whimper as he strokes my pussy, slowly at first and backs me into the trunk of a tree.

“Hurry,” I whisper while he kisses my neck. He flips my panties aside, fingers stroking up and down my slit.

“You’re soaked, baby,” he murmurs, clearly enjoying this. “My god, you really are a slut for me, aren’t you?”

“Please, just hurry, I need it,” I say, begging him, my heart pounding in my ears. I look around, mortified and needy, but nobody’s looking.

At least, I don’t think they are.

His fingers plunge into me. I gasp, arching my back. He slides them back up to tease my clit, then he pushes them back inside, again and again, in and out, slicking me up and getting me soaked. I grind into his palm, panting hard, and bite his lip when he kisses me.

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