Page 57 of Beg Me Angel

Leaning against the counter, I watched him poke the fire, shuffling around the red coals. His muscles rolled under the skin, struggling against the fabric of his shirt, trying to tear it apart. The thick muscles of his back dipped and curved, pulsing and hardening as he leaned in.

My sex throbbed just watching him, all his movements, the way his body hardened and burst beneath the surface, it made me warm. I had the urge to stroke his back, to feel his chest and run my fingertips over his corded abs.

I was addicted.

“Can I ask you something?” Tucking an arm into my ribs, I rubbed my neck, trying to settle the tremble in my belly.

“Didn't we have this conversation?” Glancing back at me, his eyes smiled as they thinned.

Crossing the room, I sat behind him on the couch and cupped my hands between my legs. “How do you do this? How do you live all by yourself and not go crazy?”

I wanted to press him, maybe get him to focus on the family I still had and loved. If he could feel my sadness, there was a chance he'd take me to call them sooner, not later, not on his next scheduled trip into town.

“I'm not by myself. . .” Tossing on a fresh log, he wiped his hands on his thighs. “I have you.”

“I don't mean right now, I mean before.”

Clearing his throat, he let his eyes steady on the new flames as they burst and whipped around. “The choice was easy. I didn't have anyone out there waiting for me, no friends or family, they were long gone. I always thought that what I needed was here, it was in this place, in these walls. It was safety for myself and everyone else. But I was wrong,you're wrong.”His eyes fluttered up to mine, then darted away back to the fire. “Iwascrazy, I was insane long before I got here.”

Placing my hand on his shoulder, I said, “That's not true. Insane people don't work stone like that right there. . .” Pointing at the fireplace, I scooted closer. “Insane people don't build massive buildings and care for someone they don't know.”

His head slowly turned my way, lips curving down into a heavy frown. “Maybe they do, maybe it's the insanity that created all this.” His eyes peered into mine, holding my gaze strong. “But I'm not crazy anymore, I'm not the same person I was. And that's not from living here, it's from you.”

I felt my lips part as a lump lodged itself in the back of my throat. I wanted to kiss him, to feel his hands run through my hair and slide down my back. “I didn't do anything to help you, all I did was steal from you.”

Tipping his head back, he laughed. “You can't steal it when I gave it to you.”

“I haven't thanked you for what you did, for taking me in and caring for me.” Dipping my head into my chest, I let my hand slip off his shoulder and into my lap. “You've done so much and all I've done is take.”

Gripping my chin in his hand, Pax lifted my face back up. “I spent years taking, Angel, it was my turn to give.” His thumb stroked my bottom lip, eyes lighting up in red and orange bursts. “Whatever you think you owe me, you don't. I still have promises to fill, I still owe you more than I could ever say. I should be thanking you.”

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