Page 95 of Brittle Heart

She is like a new moon to Clay’s sunshine. He will make it his mission to light her up and make her full again, consciously or not. The question is, can my abyss exist beside her? All I do is absorb his light, and given enough time, she will beam right back.

I finish Angela’s tattoo and make small talk while I clean, then patch her up before we settle up out front. Clay and Carolina make room for us, and she leaves quickly with a smile and goodbye.

“You did amazing again, Xander. That looked so good,” Carolina admires.

“Thanks,” I say, not looking up from the tablet, checking when my next appointment should arrive.

I have fifteen minutes to clean up everything.

“I have to get home to get ready for work,” Clay says. “Have a nice day, kitten.” He winks at her.

“Have a day as pleasant as you are,” she says.

Clay looks like he’s about to reply, but I grab him by the throat, pull him close, and kiss him deeply before he can. My other hand squeezes his crotch while I bite his bottom lip hard.

“Mine,” I nearly growl out against his lips.

I am not a jealous man, but I am fucking possessive. He can flirt all he wants with her, but not while I am standing right here, being ignored by him.

He breathes out, “Yours. Love of my life.”

“Light of mine,” I say, letting go of his crotch, my hand wandering from his throat to his cheek, cupping it and kissing him again, tender this time.

“I’ll text you,” Clay says before leaving the shop without glancing at Carolina.

When I look over at her, her face is red, and she averts her eyes.

Is she blushing because she is ashamed of flirting with my boy or because she wants to be mine too?

Fuck, can I really blame Clay for wanting more from her than just a quick fuck when I have the same fucking problem?

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN

Carolina

Chiara and Leo are making out beside me as I stand in front of the ice rink, marveling at everyone having a blast skating.

I hope I don’t look like that while kissing Josh. But Josh’s tongue is not all over my face like Leo’s is with Chiara, so we should be fine.

“Kitten!” I hear Clay yell and turn to see him walking up to us, holding hands with Xander, Sophia, and Josh following behind them.

“Did you have to wait long?” Xander asks, but I shake my head.

“We just got here too,” I say. “Guys, this is Chiara, my little sister, and her boyfriend, Leo.” I introduce. “Chiara, these are my…” I hesitate a second before saying, “… friends, Sophia and Xander. You already know Clay and—”

Josh walks over to Chiara and extends his hand to shake hers. “Hey, Chiara, it’s great to see you again. I don’t think I introduced myself properly last time. I’m Josh, Carolina’s boyfriend.”

My eyes widen almost as much as Chiara’s do.

“Boyfriend?” she questions while shaking Josh’s hand, and I feel myself blushing. She lets go of his hand and turns to Leo, whispering loudly, “He’s way too hot for her.”

“Hey! Hush. Your sister is just as hot as him, and at least she is respectful enough not to fuck him in your bed,” Clay snaps, tone angry.

“You told him?” Chiara’s tone is shrill.

“What?” Josh looks from Clay to me.

“Let’s go before all the skates are gone,” Xander offers, nudging Clay to lead the way.

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