Page 212 of The Invite
Likeis a mediocre word to encompass what I feel toward Nessa.
There are no words to describe it.
Nessa lives inside my head, runs in my veins, and consumes my soul, my entire being, every second of every day.
“All you need to know is that she’s mine and I will shield her from anyone who dares to mean her harm. You’re no exception, little sister. Tonight is the first and the last time you’ve hurt her.”
Chest heaving, she studies me as she absorbs my warning, and finally says, “I’ll leave her alone, but don’t delude yourself into thinking your relationship with her will last. You can protect her from me, but not from our mother. Nessa doesn’t belong in your future and even if she was, Mom will never let her.”
“The only one who doesn’t belong in my world anymore is you, Scarlett.” Her face crumbles, turning ashen. It doesn’t sway my decision. “You’re on your own.”
CHAPTER – 54
Augustus
Nessa is still up when I return. At the sight of her lying onmybed with her silky hair fanned out onmypillow and waiting forme, a foreign emotion along with the damn explosion bursts inside my chest.
Contentment.
Her light presence feels like coming home after a day of hardship. One look at her and the anger is replaced my calmness in my bones. I crave more of the sensation.
She’s the first woman I’ve let in my space, and I don’t just mean my room.
I know she’ll also be the last.
At the sound of the door closing, her hooded eyes collide with mine.
“Is she okay?” are the first words to come out of her mouth.
I must’ve done something good in my previous life to be rewarded with a pure-hearted soul in this one. I contemplate telling her about Scarlett but decide against it. After tonight, my sister will stay the fuck away from her. “She’s fine.”
Her chest rises and falls as I make my way over to the bed. Before sliding in, I get naked, causing her breath to hitch at the sight of my cock. I remove her shirt, needing the contact of her skin. She shivers at every inch I reveal for my starving gaze.
My marks paint her hips and travel to the tops of her thighs. Some darker than the others and too goddamn stunning. I push down the itch to sketch her and lie down before pulling her against my chest and covering us with a blanket.
She sighs and it’s a symphony to my ears.
One arm beneath her head, I lace my other over her tits and cup one in my palm. She’s turned me into a breast man. So soft and perfect that I can devour them for hours. The nipple hardens with a flick of my thumb.
“August…”
“Shh… I just wanna cuddle.”
I bury my nose against her neck, my eyes closing from the sheer pleasure of her scent in my lungs. A mix of floral and sex. She smells like me. She smells like mine.
Her fingers lace with mine resting beside her head and I squeeze, letting her know everything will be fine. We have a battle ahead of us and as long as she’s by my side, I’ll win it. By hook or by crook.
“Ness?”
“Hmm?” she mumbles sleepily.
“I’m going to need you again during the night.” I lick her shoulder, tasting the goosebumps on my tongue.
“O-okay.”
“I’ll fuck you slow so I don’t wake you, okay?” As my true intention dawns, she goes ramrod stiff. Except I know it’snot from fear. It’s dark scorching lust that consumes us every second. “If you feel a fullness, just go back to sleep.”
“Okay, August.”
