Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” I kissed her hand, needing her in ways I’d never needed anyone.
It wasn’t just desire.
Lust.
Love?
I can’t love anyone, right? What if I’m like Melody? What if I turned into her? What if I hurt Isla?
All these questions messed with me. They played over in my head all day long, on an endless loop of what-ifs. I couldn’t hurt Isla. She wouldn’t survive it.
What if I’m made like that? What if I just take off one day? What if I can’t stay in this house?
With these memories…
I couldn’t bring her along with me, her and Kraven, not when I felt so lost, so torn, so confused. I was supposed to be the leader, but right then, I had nowhere to lead.
I surrendered, seeking refuge instead.
Almost immediately, my mind battled my heart, raging a war I never had a chance to survive. Either way you put it, I hurt someone.
Isla.
Kraven.
Myself.
For the first time in my life, I doubted everything.
Me.
Her.
Us.
“I’m just trying to be here for you,” she breathed out against my lips.
How can she be here for me when I have nothing left to give her back?
Melody took it all with her.
I smiled, rubbing my lips against her mouth. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
“You’re changing the subject, Julius.”
“Your laughter, your smile, your heart, the way you can see through my bullshit… It’s what really takes hold of me, Isla. You know me more than anyone ever has, and I need you to know that.”
“Why does this feel like you’re saying goodbye to me?”
She didn’t hesitate, kissing my lips.
Slow.
Steady.
Precise.
“Please, don’t do this, Julius. I need you.”
“I need you too.”
She didn’t waver, murmuring, “Then take me.”
Giving in to temptation that was Isla, I claimed her lips, kissing her until nothing else mattered but her.
Us.
Our mouths starved for affection, searching for each other to ease the ache.
The destruction, filling the void with touch.
Taste.
Home.
“Julius,” she panted into my mouth. “Just be with me.”
“I am with you.”
“No… be with me.”
I stopped kissing her, sitting up to look deep into her eyes instead.
With a smile, she shared, “You can be my birthday present. Although I did love this one.”
She showed me the charm bracelet I got her for her birthday. She must have opened my gift.
That wasn’t what I was concentrating on…
* * *
It was the black cat charm dangling off it that held me captive.
Chapter
Forty-Six
Julius
I didn’t buy her that, and I had no intention of my brother adding to my bracelet.
My mind flew back to that morning when he asked me what I was getting her for her birthday. I didn’t think anything of it, but the little shit sabotaged it, fully aware I wouldn’t say something to her about it without looking like a psycho.
I was possessive not only of her but, apparently, of my bracelet too. I thought we could add to it with our memories and her future birthdays. He knew what he was doing by being her first charm.
Asshole.
“Isla, this isn’t why—”
She kissed me, muttering, “I know.”
It was all she needed to say as she reached for the hem of her top and slid it off her body, leaving her in nothing but her panties. With a predatory regard, I devoured every inch of her bare skin. From her rose-colored nipples to her perky, supple tits, down to her slender waist and her luscious ass and thighs for the first time.
“Fuck,” I groaned. “What did I do to deserve this?”
She kissed me again, replying, “Everything.”
Slowly, she lay back down, waiting for me to make the next move.
“Are you sure?
“I’ve never been surer.”
Hesitant at first, I stressed, “Isla, are you really sure?”
“Yes, please…”
I should have said.
Instead, I gave in to her. Hating myself for it.
Pushing me to the brink, she slowly slid off her panties, not taking no for an answer. Maybe she was trying to get lost in me as well. Cautiously, I kissed, licked, caressed my way to where she wanted my face the most.
The addictive sounds she was making.
The way her body kept shuddering beneath mine.
It all had me losing my damn mind. More than I already was.
She swallowed hard, her chest rising and falling.
Waiting.
Eager.
Ready.
Her breathing instantly became heavy and intoxicating with heart beating rapidly out of her chest, making it difficult to catch her next breath. With each stroke of my tongue, I showed her how weak I truly was.
“Please,” she begged in a breathless tone.
“Please, what?”
Our eyes locked, and all I could see was hunger. A thirst I’d awaken. She loudly moaned as I did what she craved, making love to her with my mouth, burying my face between her legs. She melted against my lips. There was no stopping there. I was just getting started.
Savoring the taste of her.
The feel of her.
Her hips rocked against my face. Up and down, side to side, I took what I wanted. What she was giving. Knowing I was the first guy to have her this way did something to me.