Page 43 of Being Bold
Something in his voice told her he and Nugg had been close. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. It seemed like a lame offering, but he didn’t try to shrug it off.
“Me too.”
The guilt she read on his face forced her to speak, “What happened is not your fault.”
The weight of his sigh pulled his shoulders even lower. “Yes, it is.”
Oh, Bo.
Her heart sank as she realized why he tortured himself. Guilt and blame were nasty emotions. They had the power to eat away at you if you let them.
“How long ago was it?”
“A little over four years.”
And he’d been letting it fester all that time. No wonder he thought he didn’t deserve something as simple as her thanks. A deep sadness rolled through her chest followed by the opening of a tiny bud of relief at knowing his pushing her away wasn’t about her.
He was punishing himself, but it wouldn’t bring his friend back.
Stifling a sigh, she patted his leg. “Let me get you that water.”
???
Bo
Bo released Selene’s hand and immediately missed its warmth. But then she stood up, and his focus shifted entirely. She wasn’t wearing any pants. Her long legs were bare, the swell of her curvy hips and the edge of her light blue underwear peeked beneath the length of the dark sweater she’d slept in.
Before she could step away, he caught her thighs, holding her in place. “Wait.”
He heard her sharp intake of breath at the contact, but his gaze didn’t leave her mound. His thumb was so close. All he had to do was move it a half-inch, and he could touch her there. Or he could slide it under that thin blue barrier, run it through her dark curls, and part her folds.
The image made him instantly hard. In answer, alarm bells sounded in his head. He couldn’t do this. The nightmare about his past always left him raw, but the only comfort he deserved came from a glass of whiskey.
Closing his eyes, he shook his head slightly, releasing his hold on her. “Sorry.” His voice sounded like he’d chewed on gravel then swallowed. Maybe hecoulduse that glass of water.
“Don’t apologize. I want . . .” When her quiet voice trailed off, he met her eyes. Her lids half-shielded the haze swirling among those sea-green irises.
His stomach quivered, but he wasn’t sure if it was from dread or anticipation.
“You.” She took a deep breath, stepping closer. “I want you, Bo.”
A part of him shattered, splintering off in sharp shards. He shuddered from the pain as it tore its way through his body. “No.” The word sounded as broken as he felt. “I’m damaged goods, Selene. The best thing you can do is keep your distance.”
“I don’t care.” Her eyes stayed on him as she gripped the bottom of her sweater and lifted it over her head. Her scent drifted to his nose. It was different. Something bright and floral but no less enticing.
Like wildflowers.
Yumi must have retrieved her soap with her clothes. The thought fled on a groan. The sight of Selene naked but for her underwear tortured him. He couldn’t look away. When she picked up his palm, placing it over her breast, the air backed up in his lungs. Despite the warning he gave himself, he didn’t take his hand away.
“Make me forget, Bo. Please.” Her plea made him weak. “I want to feel something other than fear.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he knew he’d lost the battle. He didn’t have much to offer her, but he could at least give her that.
With the hand cupping her breast, he dragged his thumb across the peaked point. She shivered, closing her eyes. He repeated the motion and marveled at the moan she let out.
It filled him with an excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time. One that meant he might enjoy this. Hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been gentle with a woman. His usual method ended up being a quick fuck in a bathroom stall or the backseat of a car. He didn’t do dates or stayovers.
Guilt stewed in his gut, but he buried it deeper. None of that mattered because this wasn’t about him. Using his other hand, he tugged Selene closer. Then, he replaced his thumb on her nipple with his tongue. She gasped as he tasted her flesh, teasing that tight little nub until she squirmed in his arms. “You like that, ocean-eyes?”
Her answer was a throaty moan that made his dick jump.
