Page 166 of Defiant Beta

But not the good kind.

Vulnerable.

I keep thinking and thinking, and what I can’t get out of my mind are my scars. They don’t define me, but theyarethere. The lights are on, and Vincent is behind me. I don’t want him to think they’re ugly, and by extension, me.

His finger brushes a scar that once burned so much I couldn’t lie down. I squeeze my eyes shut, telling myself I don’t care if he thinks they're ugly.

“Do these still hurt?” His voice is soft.

I swallow, trying not to imagine the look on his face. He doesn’t sound disgusted by them, but he’s so good at hiding his feelings from me. “No, not anymore. Are they…”

Ugly? Horrible?

Something soft brushes my lower back. It almost feels like…

“Vincent?” I whisper.

His next kiss loosens the tight knot in my chest. And his voice, when he speaks, vibrates with rage. “I want to cut them in two for hurting you.”

I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, soaking the sheets with my tears as he kisses every inch of my scarred skin.

He’s half-lying on top of me when he stops, his lips against my ear, one hand cradling my hip. “Scars, no scars, wrinkles, bruises. I loveyou, Della Jackson. That willneverchange.”

I open my eyes, keeping my gaze fixed on my tear-stained sheets. I never thought I was romantic or emotional, but ever since three alphas entered my life, all I do is feel.

“Your eyes,” he says, voice gruff.

I turn my head to meet his gaze.

He kisses me. Soft. Sweet. Perfect. “And I will set this world on fire if anyone ever hurts you again.”

A tiny smile sneaks out. Relief. Happiness that he still views me the same way.

“That doesn’t seem like a math professor kind of thing to do.”

His lip twitches. “Doesn’t it?” He kisses me. “Turn over, Miss Jackson.”

And he growls it.Deliberately.

I feel the impact of that soft growl. His eyes flare with heat, and it’s clear he knows exactly what it does to me.

He rises, giving me space to turn around. I’m braless.

“Uh, when did that happen?”

Vincent doesn’t say a word. He licks his lips, eyes focused on my tits like a man starving.

Each breast gets equal attention. The edge of his teeth. Tongue. A nice long suck that lifts my back from the mattress as a moan tears from my throat.

Everything in me freezes as I watch him kiss a path down my body. I know what he’s going to do to me. Know precisely where he intends to put his mouth on me.

My hands sink into his hair. Not to stop him. To hold on. “Vincent…”

“Shh.” He nips the inside of my thigh, and I gasp, fingers tightening in his hair. He blows warm air over my exposed pussy, and it ripples in response.

He nudges my thighs farther apart, his tongue circling my clit as I stare down at him, breathing hard.

He slides two fingers inside me. I gasp, then moan as his tongue flicks my clit.

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