Page 65 of Sweet Like a Psycho (Secrets of Suburbi 2)

She stepped back, keeping the distance between us. “I overheard you and Damien talking outside earlier. And a few minutes ago. You’re trying to tie me to something.”

“I’m trying to stop the rumors.”

“Liar.”

“Me?” Was she kidding right now? “I’m trying to help you, but you won’t give me anything.”

“I didn’t ask for your help.”

I took another step toward her, and she took another step back.

She shook her head.

I wasn’t sure if this was the best approach. She had already called the freaking cops on me once. But I was done playing games. One more step forward.

She retreated her last step. Her back was pressed against the wall.

It wasn’t the chemistry between us she was shrinking away from. That much was clear from the way that her hand had formed a fist around the fabric of my shirt. She was practically pulling me toward her. She was just scared. It was all the what-ifs that surrounded our relationship. All the skeletons she had hidden in her closet. It would all come out. Every single lie. Every single secret. “You have to meet me halfway here.” I tilted my head down toward hers.

“Knowing the truth might ruin your life,” she whispered against my lips.

“Then ruin my life.”

Her throat made a weird squeaking noise when I cupped the side of her face in my hand.

“I’m going to kiss you now. If that’s okay?” I knew this situation was delicate. I had every reason to believe someone used to lay their hands on her without permission. I wasn’t going to be that guy.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she stood on her tiptoes and lightly brushed her lips against mine for a fraction of second before she attacked me in a kiss. There was no softness or insecurity behind her lips. The kiss was frantic. She was as desperate as me. Carnal. It was like she had been waiting for this moment her whole life.

I closed the final distance between us, pushing her back against the wall.

She moaned into my mouth in the most soul-crushing way. I wanted to swallow every moan that escaped her lips. I wanted every single one to be because of me. My fingers slid down the side of her neck. Farther. I pushed her sweater off her shoulder as I trailed kisses across the side of her jaw. “Just say the word and I’ll stop.” I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop even if she begged me. The taste of her skin was as sweet as the taste of her lips.

Luckily she didn’t ask me to stop. Instead, she wrapped her arms behind my neck, drawing me closer. “Only stop if you’re planning on breaking my heart. I barely survived the last time that happened.”

“I’m not Joel. I’d never skip town when you needed me. I’d never be able to leave you.” I wasn’t sure what made me say it. I barely knew her. But I had been hit hard and fast. I was pretty sure I was addicted to her.

She nodded but it looked like she was about to cry.

There were warning bells going off in my head. I was not going to go farther than a kiss when she looked like that. “This can wait. We don’t have to rush anything. I just planned on talking tonight.”

“I’m so sick of talking.” She buried her fingers in my hair, guiding my mouth back to hers.

I didn’t want to second guess anything. I’d been torn with my feelings for her ever since we met. Guilty. Not guilty. Did it matter? I’d already lied for her once. I’d lie for her again and again if I had to. Her secrets didn’t matter. I was already hooked. I grabbed her ass and lifted her legs around me. I captured another of her moans and dismissed the rest of my thoughts. All that mattered was that she wanted me. And God, I wanted her too.

Chapter 23

Violet

Last night was amazing. I stared at the rise and fall of Tucker’s chest as he slept peacefully. He was amazing. Part of me thought I had dreamed him to life. I didn’t just want someone like him, I wanted him. Only him. And that meant I needed to make sure I could keep him.

There were a lot of what-ifs floating around in my head. They were all part of the reason I had succumbed to temptation. I needed last night. I just wanted to be with him once before he knew the truth. Just once before he looked at me differently. I didn’t know if what we had was love. But it would be tainted soon enough regardless. He’d only ever look at me the way he did last night before he knew the truth. Even if he stayed, it wouldn’t be the same. He’d always wonder. Please stay.

I pulled on my robe and tied the sash as I stared down at him sleeping. Then I retied it again. And again as my stomach twisted into knots. The sun had barely risen. I had some time before he and Zeke got up. I was going to spend it wisely.

I glanced at him once more and tried to memorize the way his hair fell into his eyes as he slept. And the sharpness of his jaw. And his pecs. God, his muscles were a lovely surprise.

I thought I might have some sense of remorse about jumping into bed with him. But there was no hesitation. Somehow Tucker and I made sense together. And I was thankful that I’d had some wine last night, or I may never have had the courage to find that out.

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