Page 57 of Redd

Chapter Eleven

Bijou

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Touching my lips, Istared up at Redd.

Why is he doing this?

If anything—I owed him.I owed him for getting me out, I owed him for feeding me and giving me clothes. And yet he stood there with a wolfish grin on his face, like the world wasn't about to come crashing down on top of us.

Does he realize how dangerous it is to have me here?

A mask of confusion veiled my face as I tried to make sense of the feelings that rippled through my body, taking me by surprise.

The muscle in my chest became erratic, hammering hard and fast. My legs were shaking, my sex was pounding, still growing wet and hot even after his lips abandoned mine.

I could barely breathe as the air buzzed with an electric charge, forcing the hair on my neck to prickle and a tingle to rush over my body.

That kiss had sent my body up in flames, melting my heart into a beating puddle inside my chest.

Drawing in slow breaths through my nose, I tried to calm this crippling sensation and settle the boulders that were rolling around in my stomach. I couldn't remember the last time I had kissed a man. Even if I could, I knew it didn't feel like that.

When Diablo had kissed me, all I wanted to do was throw up. I wanted to shove him away and spit in his face. I had tried that once, and it ended with a belt across my ass.

With Redd it was different. I didn't want him to stop, I wanted him to keep going, to keep filling my soul with the happiness his kiss delivered.

And when he spoke, his voice was full and meaningful, forcing my heart into my throat. Every word punctured my skull, taking shape. He didn't sound like he was trying to fake truthfulness and trick me into serving him. I couldn't sense any real threat secretly intertwined with his tone.

He spoke tome,and I wanted to thank him for that, let him know how grateful I was for his kindness.

But I didn't. I stood in my own awkward silence, trying to figure out if this was real.

Wow. Did that really just happen?

I was tempted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I had been beaten down into nothing, left to think my life hadn't been worth the air I breathed.

This isn't real, it can't be.

“You don't know what you're saying.” Rubbing open palms down my sides, I forced myself to look away.

Pressing his thumb into the center of my chin, he pitched my face back up to his eyes. “I know exactly what I'm saying.” His thumb ran over my lip, slow and precise. “And I know what I'm doing.”

“Why would you do this for me? You have your sister to look after, you shouldn't risk everything for me.” Scanning his face, I wanted him to see that I would be okay if he decided to walk away from this. I'd figure a way out of this myself. “I'm dangerous, Redd.”

Lowering his mouth to mine, he brushed our noses together, lids heavy. “And I'm safety. Let me save you.”

I was awake now, I was alert and aware of everything between us. The space, the air, the draft that ruffled the bottom of my sweater, the hint of desire coming off his skin.

All of it was enhanced, trapped in the silence I didn't know how to break.

Braiding our fingers together, he ran his thumb down my throat, looking deep into my eyes. His breathing was heavy, forcing his chest against mine with every inhale.

“I don't know what to think.” I couldn't fracture the hold he had on my eyes. It was magnetic, an effortless power that consumed me. “What do you want me to say?”

Green highlights sparked against the amber stones, twinkling like stars. Black lashes fanned his lids, beautiful and masculine against his dominant features. A chiseled jaw cut out high cheek bones, and smooth skin was hidden behind a thin layer of stubble.

Lifting my hand to his cheek, I ran it up and down, feeling the small coarse hairs. It felt like fine sandpaper, tickling my fingers. My thighs quivered, sending a wave of need up my legs and tangling my gut.

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