Page 35 of Tainted Hearts

Chapter 10

Abby

Tonight has been perfect. Spending this alone time with Luke has shown me a whole new side of him. A side that I very much enjoy being around. He’s his regular, cocky, funny self, but more sweet and attentive.

He kept finding reasons to touch me all night, and I found it adorable. Every time he does, the hum I get from the bond settles something in my soul. That this is right where I’m meant to be, and I’m with who I’m meant to be with.

Supper was amazing. I may have laid it on thick with the enjoyment sounds, but not by much. The foodwasreally tasty.

The heat in Luke’s eyes every time I made a noise was worth it. I want him, bad. But I held off taking anything further until I could get this time alone with him.

The kiss just made me want him even more. I feel comfortable to do whatever feels natural when it comes to what’s next between us. I won’t run.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever really just enjoyed a walk along the beach before,” Luke says as we walk hand in hand, barefoot in the sand. He’s looking up at the sky, the stars shining bright tonight. “It’s nice. Peaceful and the stars are... wow.”

“Yeah,” I sigh, a smile forming on my lips as I admire the beauty of the night sky. “It’s why this is my favorite place to be; to go for a run or just escape.” Actually, it’s my second favorite place—the gazebo at the graveyard takes the number one spot. I’m not ready to share that bit with him right now, though.

“Do you come here often?” He gives my hand a little squeeze as he looks down at me.

“I used to.” I shrug. “Before I met Zed, I was here a lot. Needed to get out of the house pretty much as soon as I got there.” I give him a guilty smile, and his eyes grow dark.

“I’m sorry, Abby, about everything.”

“I know you are.” I hug his arm, laying my head against this shoulder. “It wasn’t a hardship. I really do love the beach. Places like this, we don’t have anything like it in Hell. Someday I wanna see it all, you know? Travel the world. Some place with mountains would be the next place I wanna go.”

Luke chuckles, murmuring something under his breath that sounds a lot like ‘Might be sooner than you think.’

“After Leo came topside, I’ve only been here a few times. And well, the last time didn’t end so great.” That night with Isaac and the Heathers will be one I forever want to forget.

“Well, I hope when we leave here tonight, you only have good memories of this place again.”

“Don’t think you're going to have to worry about that. This night has been amazing. Thank you, Luke.”

He stops me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into his arms. “I’m excited to get to know you better, Abby. Not just because you're my mate, but because you're just an amazing person. I want to show you that you mean as much to me as the others do.”

“I’d like that.” A small part of me feels like because he’s been with Isaac and Noah for so long, I’d never have something with him that’s as strong as what they have. But I know I need to build something with each of them on my own as well as something with them together because they are mine, but they are also each others.

Also, I’d be lying if I said watching them together isn’t something I’d very much like to experience first hand. Again.

He kisses me on the forehead. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a girl as much as I want you.”

“Awe, you're so sweet,” I say playfully.

“Really.” He looks me in the eyes. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anyone outside of the guys. I’ve been with girls before, as have the others, in whatever ways that suited them, but you're the only one I’ve wanted more from. With them, it fell into my lap, something that’s always just kind of been there, you know? With you, I enjoy working for what I want.” He grins.

“Oh, really?” I laugh. “Well, how about we make you work a little bit harder?”

His brows jump. “What do you mean?”

With a grin that takes up most of my face, I say, “Catch me and find out.” I don’t give him any time to process what I’ve said before turning on my heel and sprinting away from him.

I burst into giggles as he shouts at me to wait up, pumping my arms and legs faster. Being a demon, my speed is a little more than most people. Nothing too crazy but it’s why I haven’t bothered joining track and field. It wouldn’t be fair.

But I guess I’m not as fast as I thought, because a few moments later, arms wrap around me. I shriek, bursting into a fit of giggles as we hit the sand, rolling as we land.

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