Page 302 of Breaking the Rules

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I can't quite feel his heartbeat, but there's still something soothing about feeling his breath.

He's still here.

He knows a lot and he's here.

It's not going to be a surprise. He saw how freaked I got around Vinnie. And after that party. And earlier tonight.

But the words still refuse to find my lips.

It's too much. Too heavy. Too ugly.

"You don't have to talk, Em." He runs his fingers through my hair. "You can tell me anything. But you don't have to."

"Ever?"

"If that's what you need."

I nod, though I don't believe it. I can't keep this hidden forever. I can barely handle it now. But—"I don't want you to think I'm pathetic or broken."

"I couldn't."

"You don't know that."

"Yeah, I do." His fingers skim my ear. My jawline. My neck. "I can see why you'd believe otherwise. But you're wrong."

I shake my head.

He nods. "You're the strongest person I know."

"You don't know a lot of people."

"We had a dozen here today."

"Still."

"I'm not as strong as—"

"I'm never gonna think that about you, baby."

"Oh." I swallow hard. I don't know what else to say. I'm not arguing him out of his opinion. But he… he doesn't know this.

"I want everything in your heart."

"What about the ugly things?"

"Especially the ugly things." He pulls me closer. "But I have time."

"I don't. I want to fuck you."

He chuckles. "You're gonna have to be patient."

"I hate being patient."

"I know."

I close my eyes. Soak in the softness of his touch. The warmth of his breath. The bounce of the bassline.

This is a good song.

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