Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
My body still alive. A dull hum of the pleasure that Cash had delivered.
I tossed and turned, then I nearly hit the ceiling when a vibration echoed from the nightstand next to the bed. My eyes popped open to the screen lighting up.
I propped myself up on my hands, staring at the phone that had gone dark, though it still felt like it was shouting for me.
Uncertainty burned and brimmed, but I finally gave, snagged it, and thumbed across the screen. My stomach quivered and tipped as my eyes traced the words.
Heartbreaker
How am I supposed to focus with the taste of you on my tongue and the feel of you on my hands?
My breaths went shallow.
I didn’t have time to respond before another message came through.
Heartbreaker
What is it you think you’re doing to me, Little Wallflower? Making me want to break every rule?
With my fingers poised over the screen, I wavered, chewing at the inside of my cheek like it would give me clarity. Finally, I let them fly.
Me
You were the one coercing me into breaking all the rules. Do you remember the first time you convinced me to climb up that tree into your room?
God, why was I grinning when I typed it? So reckless as I gave myself over to the memories.
But in the darkness, it felt safe. As if I could lift the lid off the secrets we once shared.
Heartbreaker
Didn’t take a whole lot to have you crawling through my window.
A tender smile pulled to my face.
Me
I only broke those rules because I wanted to be with you.
Heartbreaker
And here we are, breaking them again.
I warred, unsure of what I should give him. But I felt emboldened right then. Held in the safety of the night.
Me
I wanted to break every rule with you, Cash Cunningham.
It took forever before a response finally came through.
Heartbreaker
The ways I would break them with you now.
I could feel the innuendo woven in his words.
Blood sloshed through my veins, and my breaths turned shallow. I looked around the room like I was going to get caught breaking a rule right then.
Me
I thought you told me it can’t happen again?
Heartbreaker
It can’t. But that doesn’t mean I’m not imagining all the ways I want to do it.
Heartbreaker
The ways I would have you.
Heartbreaker
I would fuck you so good, Daisy Adair, it’d erase every trace of that bastard from your body. I’d make you feel so good you’d forget there was ever any pain.
I squirmed on his bed.
For a man who rarely spoke, his words sure had a way of getting to me.
But I could feel him coming apart, too. The shields he wore peeling back layer by layer.
Me
I’m tired of the pain.
Heartbreaker
I’d take it all away if I could.
Me
I’d take yours away, too.
Heartbreaker
With that sweet, tempting body that’s driving me out of my mind?
Crap. What were we doing? What happened in his bathroom had been impulse. An urge that neither of us could resist. Borne of the years of separation and the fear I felt at seeing him harmed.
But this…
Me
Is that what you think? I’m tempting?
I thought I felt the reverberation of his growl from all the way across the house.
Heartbreaker
You’re the greatest temptation I’ve ever faced. Make me lose focus. Make me lose sight. You always have.
Fibers of grief and greed were spun into the words.
Me
I never wanted to be a burden to you.
A flash of severity blistered through the air.
Heartbreaker
Burden? Last thing you are is a burden. You’re a gift that is my duty to protect. And the only thing I want to do right now is taint you with these dirty hands.
Heartbreaker
Touch you everywhere and have you in every way.
Heartbreaker
Would you like that? Would you like me to dirty you?
I squeezed my thighs together. What was he doing? Did he think I could handle this? The way he was giving me whiplash? Pulling me close in one sentence then pushing me away with the next?
But I understood it because I felt the conflict, too.
I should end this. Tell him good night.
Instead, I let go of a haggard breath as I gave him the truth.
Me
Yes. I want you to ruin me.
Heartbreaker
Believe me, baby, you are the one who’s ruining me. My life was supposed to be ridden out in solitude, and I’m the fool imagining what it would be like if I got to keep you.
Heartbreaker
Own you.
Heartbreaker
Possess you.
My mouth went dry, and I started to tap out what was likely going to be a needy plea when another text blipped through.
Heartbreaker
But what I can give you? My protection. My life. It’s yours, Daisy, even if I can never fully belong to you.
THIRTY-THREE
CASH
SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD
“You’re mean,” Daisy whispered, gazing up at him from under her lashes where they stood at the base of their tree.
Rays of morning light speared through the leaves and lit up her face.