Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 102708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“Mmm…” she groaned, stirring awake. Her eyes fluttered, but sleep won out. “Mm-hmm,” she hummed as I kissed my way down her neck.
She opened her eyes, and her breathing hitched as her eyes snapped open, big and wide.
The world seemed to stop spinning, stop moving, and time just sort of stood still for us. With the way I was feeling that night, I needed her in a way I’d never needed anyone in all my life.
Her warmth.
Her comfort.
Her love.
Home.
Despite the dim lighting in my room, I could still see her bright green eyes, realizing the compromising position we were currently in.
Her eyebrows pinched together.
“You always look so damn good in my bed.”
She searched for something in my gaze, narrowing her eyes. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“Where’s Kraven?”
“I don’t know. He took off this morning, and I haven’t seen him since.”
“Go figure.”
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I am now.”
She placed her hand over my heart. “I’m so sorry, Julius. I don’t know how I’ll ever make it up to you for allowing her back into your life.” Her gaze gleamed with tears. “I’ll never forgive myself for this.”
“Shhh…” I whispered close to her lips. “It’s not your fault.”
“I feel like it is. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t insisted she be around.”
“She would have found her way in somehow. It’s her MO.”
“I can see it in your eyes.” She caressed my face. “You’re blaming yourself.”
I leaned into her embrace. “I don’t want to talk about her.”
“Please don’t push me away, okay? Just let me in.”
“I’ve let you in so much, Isla, I don’t know how to kick you out.”
“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.