Page 31 of Give Me Perfect Love

We are the aftermath of their bad choices.

We are the rubble left behind from their shit storm.

I look down at her lips, and without overthinking it, I kiss her. I kiss her hard and deep, tasting her tongue and pressing closer to her body. My hand goes into her hair and my fingers grip onto her scalp.

A fire lights inside of me, burning red and smoky black. I reach down and lift her up. Her legs wrap around my waist as I walk us to the bed. My cock hardens and I ache to be inside of her, feeling her warmth and having her smell and body surround me.

She’s a little bit of Heaven on this sometimes hellish planet. She’s wiggled her way into my lonely life, and there’s no way I could live without her now.

But has she always been there?

Somewhere deep inside was I always waiting for her?

I lay her down and my lips leave hers, migrating down her soft neck.

“Bryce,” she says lowly. “I…I can’t do this.”

I quickly look up at her. “Something wrong?”

She shakes her head enthusiastically with a small smile, but her eyes are tearing up. “No,” she says, touching the side of my face gently.

“Then why are you crying? Did I hurt you?” I grow panicked at her tears and the thought of doing something to cause her pain. This girl has been through enough of that. Hell, she’s been through years of it.

“It’s not you.” She wipes her cheek. “It’s just…it’s this town and the things that…” Her chest shudders.

And it hits me like a ton of bricks. “Oh,” I say solemnly.

God, what an idiot I am. I move away and sit beside her on the bed.

“I’m sorry,” she says, sitting up.

“Don’t be.” I look over at her. “Don’t ever be sorry, Kat.”

Anger moves through me like the smoothness of oil on water.

She shouldn’t have to feel this way.

She shouldn’t be fucked up because of that piece of shit. I don’t know how to handle this.

Resting my elbows on my knees, I hold my head in my hands as I look down at the worn carpet. My skin buzzes; my spine tingles with electricity. I stand up and walk over to my shoes.

“Where are you going?” K asks, panic rising in her voice.

“I just need a little air.”

“A little air?” She stands up.

I lean down and slide my shoes on before reaching for my hat and coat.

“Yeah. Don’t worry. Get some rest.” I walk over and kiss her forehead, sliding the door key and my car keys off the dresser. “I’ll be back.”

“Are you serious?” Her eyes are wide.

“You’re tired. I’m not. I need to think for a moment.”

I go to the door and turn the knob. “Sleep, K.”

Walking out into the bitter cold, I slide my arms through my coat and make my way to my car.

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