Page 81 of His Heart

He just looked at me for a moment and I tried not to let my knees shake.

“I need to know why you did it,” he said.

“Because I felt hollow.” I swallowed hard, tears suddenly threatening, coming out of nowhere. “Because I spent days feeling like I couldn’t get out bed. Like I was fading away. And I wanted to feelsomething.”

“You wanted to feel something with him?” Sebastian asked.

“No, that wasn’t it, I swear. I got so out of control, I had no idea what I was doing. I just wanted to feel free—to drown out all my thoughts. Numb my feelings.”

“Why?” he asked.

“I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Tell me,” he said, moving closer.

“I said I don’t know how.”

He surged forward and got right in front of me, caging me against the door with his arms. He was so close, I could feel his body heat, smell his seductive scent.

“Tell me.”

“Because sometimes I feel like I died,” I whispered. “And I don’t know why I’m here. I feel like my heart stopped beating when Liam’s did.”

His eyes held mine. I couldn’t look away. He took my hand and brought it to his chest. My fingers trembled as I opened them, brushing lightly against his shirt. Then he covered my hand with his and pressed my palm against him.

“His heart is still beating,” he said, his voice low and quiet. “It didn’t stop.”

A tear trailed down my cheek as I felt the rhythmic thump, thump, thump of his heart. I closed my eyes. His hand over mine was warm, his chest firm and strong. The beats of his heart pulsed against my palm.

His other hand settled gently on my chest, and his voice was so soft. “Neither did yours.”

I covered his hand with my own and he leaned down so our foreheads touched. The rhythm of his heart thrummed through me. It was sensation and desire. Fear, and hope. It was life.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Brooke, this heart beat for you when it lived inside him,” Sebastian said. “It still beats for you now that it lives inside me.”

He dropped my hands and ran his fingers through my hair, his face close to mine. His fingertips pressed gently into my scalp. Heat poured through me at his touch, and I held onto his thick arms as if I might crumple to the ground.

“Tell me no.” His nose brushed against mine. “Tell me you can’t do this, and I walk away.”

My body screamed the yes my lips struggled to produce. I wanted him in every way—wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anyone.

“Yes.”

Without a second of hesitation, he took my mouth in a hard kiss. His beard grazed my skin and his lips pressed against mine, demanding I give in. Demanding I give him everything.

I surrendered.

His kiss was fierce, and I answered his passion with my own. Our mouths opened. Tongues caressed. Tastes mingled. I wound my arms around his neck, and his hands moved down my back, our bodies pressing together. He was so big. So overwhelming. His strong arms enveloped me, his thick muscles tense.

He pulled away suddenly, leaving me breathless. I didn’t want him to stop. He placed his hand alongside my face and looked into my eyes.

“I’ve wanted you for so long,” he said. “I want to make your heart beat. Hard, like mine does when I’m with you. I want to make you gasp for breath. I want to make you feel, Brooke. If I can make you feel half of what I do right now, you’ll know you’re alive.”

I nodded, too enthralled to speak. He kissed me again, his mouth hungry and aggressive. My body came to life, nerve endings lighting up. Pieces of me I’d kept buried exploding to the surface.

He picked me up and pushed me against the door. I wrapped my legs around his waist and his hands gripped tight to my ass. His solid erection pressed between my legs. Even through our clothes, the feel of him sent sparks of pleasure racing through me.

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