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)
“Kraven—”
He slammed the door shut and locked it behind him. He didn’t move, resting his forehead on the hard wood to hold himself up.
I never ached to know his thoughts like I did right then. It was painful.
My hand flew to my heart, where it pounded against my chest.
“Kraven, I…”
I stopped myself, unsure of everything. More than ever, I longed to be his comfort.
His relief.
His refuge.
Home.
“Kraven,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry… I should’ve—”
He turned, facing me and rendering me speechless. His back slid down the door until he sat with his knees up and his arms placed over them. He was reluctant to look at me at first.
I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I was afraid my voice would betray me if I spoke, hurting him further.
He was desperately trying not to lose it on me.
Except this time, I wanted him to.
I wanted it all.
His anger too.
I deserved it.
He’d been my only stability for the past month. I’d forgotten what it was like to stand on my own, without the safety he provided. It resided deep in my bones, bringing back the same sense of ease and familiarity with his presence.
His hair had fallen around his face, framing it perfectly. Accentuating the intensity of his Caribbean-blue eyes, boring deep into mine.
When the quiet became too loud, he shared, “I never wanted you to see me like that again. I promised myself I’d never let you witness what you saw with Justin. Fuck… I’m so sorry, Kitty.”
I made my way over to him, dropping to my knees to get close to his face. “It’s alright, Kraven.”
“No, it’s not, Isla. I keep fucking up with you, and it’s the last thing I want to do.” He bowed his head, erupting into a flood of emotions.
He needed me.
Wanted me.
I had to be there for him.
He’d done so much for me. It was the least I could do. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through, hearing his father say all his biggest insecurities. He’d baited Kraven so crudely and with no remorse whatsoever.
He came there to hurt him.
End of story.
It was all too much.
His mom.
Julius.
Running into Mrs. Bates.
Now his dad.
All the emotions poured out of his heart and his soul, bleeding into mine. Tears began to fall down my cheeks. I was unable to hold them back any longer. He didn’t think twice about it. He grabbed me under my arms and carried me over to him, making me straddle his lap.
He caged me in, holding my face between his hands. He kissed all over, wiping my tears away with his lips.
“Please, Kitty…” he pleaded. “Say something…”
I gazed profoundly into his eyes, repeating, “I’m so sorry, Kraven.”
“Just make it go away… Please, Kitty… I’m begging you… just make it all go away…”
I did the only thing I could think of.
The only thing that felt right in a moment that was all wrong.
I gripped the back of his neck…
* * *
And kissed him.
Chapter
Fifty-One
Isla
My lips parted, beckoning him to follow, and he did.
I knew we were playing with fire, but I craved the sting. Igniting the flame with just one kiss. The line didn’t exist anymore, and kissing him felt like breathing again.
He growled from deep within his chest. It was primal, urgent, and heady.
Wrapping his arms around my back, he sat us up and then lowered my body onto the stairs behind me to get on top of me. My mind scrambled with thoughts and feelings I couldn’t control, mark, or even begin to comprehend.
I put my arms around his neck as he pushed me further into the stairs, kissing me deeper, harder, and with more determination.
My chest rose and fell, faster and faster, with every glide of his tongue.
With every deep breath he inhaled.
Every caress of his fingers along my face.
Each groan that escaped his mouth.
Each moan out of mine.
I felt his heartbeat hammering against my chest, mimicking my own. They were beating together as if we were simply keys on his piano, dancing with pleasure, mixed in with a little bit of pain. It was a beautiful tune, the music of our betrayal.
He kissed me one last time, letting his lips linger for a few seconds before pulling away. I instantly felt the loss of our heated kiss when he set his forehead on mine. Our heavy panting was the only sound in the room, filled with ghosts, demons, and the shadows of our bodies coming together as one.
He pushed the hair away from my gaze, and we locked eyes, wanting to stay lost in each other's minds. His hands framed around my face, kissing me again with the same intensity and passion, but slower, gentler this time. Less wild and distressed. We stayed like that for what felt like hours, just kissing. Completely submerged in one another.