Page 57 of Guarded
“Good.”
“Before we get to that though”—I tucked some of his hair behind his ear. —“are you sure it doesn’t bother you that I was a bit of a fuckboi when I came topside? None of it meant anything. To be honest, I was just making the most of my freedom.”
“I get it.” His gaze slid away from mine. “I’m not upset about that, honestly.”
He might not have been upset about that, but something was bothering him. My eyes flicked between his as I tried to figure him out. I wasn’t sure eternity would be long enough to peel back all of his layers. “Then what are you upset about?”
He dropped his forehead against my shoulder with a groan. “It’s so embarrassing.”
“I promise I won’t laugh.”
His breath was hot as he huffed against my neck. “If you do, I’m going to put several very unflattering layers over all the pretty lace.”
“The horror.” I gave a fake shudder. “No laughing. I’ll be on my best behaviour.”
Noah lifted his head, his pale skin flushed. “I was bothered by the fact that you’re so experienced.”
Why would that bother Noah? It didn’t make sense. Unless…
“I’m not a virgin,” he said quickly, his blush turning puce. “I’ve had lots of sex…just all with the same person.”
So many questions ripped through me, but there were two screaming above all others.
Who is he?
Do you love him?
“He’s not someone you need to worry about.” Noah cupped my face like he could hear the silent questions. “We were over a long time ago. We were never even together. Not really.”
I wanted to ask him more, but his next words sent all thoughts of his previous lover temporarily out the window.
“I love sex, and usually I’m very confident, but…I’m worried I won’t be good enough for you,” he muttered, his chin nearing his chest. “You’re so experienced, and I’m…”
His voice faded away. I kept my grip on his chin and gently forced him to look at me. “Hey.”
I hated the uncertainty in his eyes. It was leagues away from the confident angel I knew. The one who’d sent me cheeky photos and flirted with abandon.
“That’s not something you need to worry about.” My voice was quiet but firm. “Being with you is going to erase the memory of anyone who came before you. It doesn’t matter how much experience either of us does or doesn’t have. In here, it’s just us. Jeremiah and Noah.”
My lips hovered just above his. “There’s no room for anyone else.”
Chapter 16
Noah
Iwas going to explain more about Lyle. I swear, I was. But then Jeremiah’s lips covered mine.
And thoughts of anyone else ceased to exist.
His hand came up to cradle the back of my neck as he deepened the kiss. I’d love to say I reciprocated, but in truth, I was letting him lead us. I had to.
I was too caught up in my descent. The fall into obsession that’d surely break me.
Please don’t break me, Jem.
It wasn’t even because he was my fated mate. It was because of how he was kissing me. Tenderly. Gently. Like I was something precious. Something to be revered.
I’d never felt that way with anyone. Fuck, how I’d wanted to though.
