Page 35 of Burning Bridges

“Okay, but it’s what you don’t say that worries me.” She takes her keys from her pocket, unlocking her car.

“If I don’t tell you something, it’s for your own protection.” I hold my hand out for her keys.

“Uh, I don’t think so. My car, I’m driving.”

“Stop being difficult, Piper. We both know I’m driving you home.”

She glares at me like she’s going to fight me on it, but instead, she passes me her keys, “Be gentle with her,” she tells me.

“I’m always gentle.” I throw her a look, and she laughs, making whatever is happening here between us feel way too normal.

Twenty minutes later as I push open my bedroom door, her body is already against mine, our lips plastered together. I can’t take my hands off her. After a couple of days apart, we're hungry for each other’s touch. I’m desperate for the fulfilment only she can give me.

I pick her up, throwing her down on my bed, stripping her T-shirt over her head. She makes fast work of removing her black jeans, and I remove my own clothes just as quickly. She’s the absolute picture of perfection. Lips bee-stung from kissing, hair out and wild, running over her full breasts. Her dark eyes are filled with a heavy lust. I’m wearing her down. She’s not here for any other reason than to fuck me because she’s so frantic to have me. I strip out of my own clothes and crawl over her, claiming her mouth again.

She parts her legs for me, and in one move, I push inside of her, filling her up. “Fuck, Leo. Yeah, real gentle.” She laughs, moving slowly to adjust to my size.

“Maybe you should have heard my warning and stayed away tonight if being thoroughly fucked wasn’t how you wanted to end up.” I thrust into her again, harder this time.

“If this is my punishment for disobeying you, I will never listen to another thing you say.” She rocks her hips to meet me, looking straight into my eyes. Challenging me. She’s so fucking wonderful like this, I could get lost in those big brown eyes. They promise me so much more than a quick fuck. They promise me everything I have ever wanted to see in them—a future.

“I might have to come up with something a little more uncomfortable then.” I slide out of her, taking her ankles and pushing her legs over her head. I slam back into her just as rough, knowing like this she will feel every thick inch of me.

“Fuck,” she whimpers. “Yes, you should.”

I move my hand in between our bodies, playing with her clit, circling the hard nub as I pump in and out of her. With every deep thrust, she moans in pleasure. I feel her pussy clench around me as she tips over the edge, and I pull out quickly, remembering I’m not wearing any protection. Her legs fall to the side as she shivers through the orgasm taking over her body. I stroke myself a couple more times, shooting my own release over her stomach.

Totally spent, I collapse down beside her, my head spinning. Every time I’m with her it’s the same. It’s not a feeling of regret afterward; it’s a thirst to have her again and again, even though I know I shouldn’t. How did I end up back at my place with her again?

I sit up in a rush, needing something to clear my mind. I throw my legs over the side of the bed and search for my cigarettes, lighting one up and taking a long slow draw. I run a hand through my hair, staring at the ground as I try and get my shit together.

“Those things will kill you,” she mutters, sounding sleepy.

I turn back to find her lying on her side watching me, her bare body still on display. She’s not shy around me at all. I take another drag, enjoying the rush of the nicotine as it hits my lungs. I know it’s a dirty habit, but I started so long ago, I don’t think I could quit now even if I wanted to. And besides, it’s the least of my worries. “I doubt I will live long enough to have to worry about this bad habit killing me.” I give her a look like she knows she will be the death of me. We both do. I need to stop this obsession I have with her before it’s too late. But I think it might already be. For me, anyway.

“Why were you so worried about me being there tonight? The truth too, Leo, not the bullshit you spin to everyone else.” She sits up, grabbing her top and jeans and shimmying into them.

“I already told you. Because the Kings were rumored to show themselves. I didn’t want you getting caught up in the crossfire.”

She comes around my side of the bed, standing in front of me. “Why do you care what happens to me? You hate me because I’m an Acevedo, remember? Me getting killed by one of the Kings should be a good thing for you, get me off your hands.” She puts her hands on her hips like she is challenging me to a battle of words. Does she really want another fight? Is that it, she hasn’t had enough fun tonight?

Whatever it is, I’m not up for it. “I’ll let you believe whatever you want to, Piper.” I put out my smoke and go to walk away from her. Talking about my feelings after sex isn’t something I’m interested in doing. Nor is starting up another argument with her over why I feel the need to protect her. I have already told her too much tonight.

She takes my arm, stopping me. “But that’s not what I believe. I believe you care about me more than you should. I believe you would do just about anything to make sure I'm safe. What I don’t understand is why,” she pushes.

I run my hand through her hair, feeling the silky strands and pulling her in close so I can smell her floral scent. It’s like a drug to me and sends a fresh wave of tingles through my body. I kiss her lips, and she lets me. “It’s not often I let myself get this close to another person, but there is something about you, Piper. Something that has always been here. I don’t know why. All I know is my instinct to protect you from the world takes over any rational thoughts,” I tell her more honestly than I wanted to be.

She stares back at me, her curious eyes taking in every inch of my face. Like she is trying to read me so she can understand me. “You’re in love with me, aren’t you?” she whispers, her eyes scrutinizing me.

Her words get caught in my chest, wrapping around my lungs and squeezing the breath out of me. I feel panicked. “I don’t believe in love, Piper. You of all people should know that,” I snap, needing to set her straight before she lets some fantasy about whatever this is run away with her.

She looks at me like she doesn’t believe me. Also like she has something more to say on the topic, but she doesn’t. Instead, she steps out of my grip and slips from the room, taking her bag with her. I watch on the security tape as she leaves the house and makes her way to her car. I should offer to take her home or demand she stay the night. But what she just said has thrown me so much I can’t make my feet move toward the door. She thinks I’m in love with her. She’s wrong. It’s not love, it's just infatuation. I just like the way her body feels when it’s under mine. This is just fucking, that’s all it is.

Chapter 20

PIPER

I’msoenragedIcan’t see straight as I run down the long white halls. Doors whoosh past, making me dizzy, but I keep moving. I need to get away from them. There’s no way I’m staying in this place. I won’t survive here.

---