Page 113 of For Your Eyes Only

“I’m not sure that’s true.”

Our eyes meet, and hope surges to life in my chest. “What are you saying, Gia?”

She inhales deeply, taking measured steps. “After what happened… I swore I’d never let you near me again. I was determined to get over you and learn from my mistakes.”

Her words hurt, but there’s less conviction in her tone.

“You’re a smart girl, a survivor.” I speak carefully. “You deserve only good things, and I‘ll understand if you decide you can’t be with me.”

“I never made that decision.” She glances up at me, fire in her pretty brown eyes. “Youmade that decision. You told me to go. You said it was only about Glitter Girl.”

Wincing, I would give my left arm to take back those words.As it is…

“It was a lie.” I speak like I’m approaching a wounded animal. “I loved you before I ever knew you were her. After our dinner, I had no interest in Glitter Girl. Don’t you remember?”

“I remember…” She takes a breath. “But I’m afraid.”

“Of what, beautiful girl?”

“I’m afraid to trust you. I’m afraid to lose control again.”

“You have total control now. Don’t be afraid.”

“I am afraid, though. I’m afraid of how much I feel for you. I love you, and you have the power to hurt me so easily.” Tears are in her voice, and it guts me.

“I did hurt you, but don’t youeverfor one second think it was easy.” My fist closes on the countertop, regret aching inside me. “If I’d had time to plan, maybe… I don’t know. All I know was my friend had been murdered, and everything was happening fast. I couldn’t risk you being next. I forced myself to say those words, Gia, but they almost killed me. When you left, I bled out every day remembering your tears.”

She’s blinking fast, and salty drops hit her cheeks. I close the space between us, lifting my hand, holding it so close, longing to touch her, to wipe those tears away.

My voice is husky with my own emotion. “If you ever decide to forgive me, to trust me again, I swear on my life…Dammit, I swear, I’ll dedicate however many days I have left to making it up to you, to protecting you. I’ll never make you cry again.”

She sniffs, a sob wobbling from her throat. “You’re making me cry now.”

Exhaling a groan, heat is in my eyes. “Do I have permission to touch you?”

“Yes.”

She’s in my arms before the word passes through her lips. Cupping her face, I lean down to capture her mouth with mine, sliding my lips across hers, slipping my tongue inside to taste hers. She’s fine wine and pure decadence. She’s my heart and my soul.

Before her, I didn’t care if I lived or died, but she gives my selfish existence meaning. Her hands clutch my shoulders, and strength surges through my limbs. She threads her fingers in my hair, and I groan.

“My love,” she moans, kissing my cheeks, my lips. “I only want you to touch me. I only want your eyes on me. Ever.”

“Beautiful girl.” I kiss her again, sliding my tongue with hers as my hands slide around her waist, down to cup her luscious ass. “I’ll never let you go. I want to give you thousands of beautiful things. I love you.”

“And I’ll give them all back to you.” Our eyes meet, and she’s smiling.

She’s so damn beautiful.

“I’d like to make love to you now… unless you’re too hungry?”

“I thought you’d never ask!” She grips the collar of my shirt in her fists, jerking me to her, across the short distance until we fall together on the bed.

We laugh, and she’s on top of me, straddling my waist and unbuttoning my shirt, tracing her progress with kisses against my skin. My dick is so hard, and I grip her thighs, pushing up her skirt and tearing at her thong underwear.

“I need to taste you.” My voice is hoarse, ravenous.

“Get this off me before I rip it!” She’s as frantic as I am, grasping at her back, and I chuckle as I toss my shirt aside.

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