“Let me take care of you, little nympho.” He kisses the top of my head and lifts me, shifting me over to Luke’s lap. Luke maneuvers us so his back is against the headboard. He’s careful to keep from touching my sore ass cheeks.
“There’s some balm in Caden’s bathroom.” Eli kisses my temple and slips off the bed.
Luke holds me against his chest. His jeans are rough beneath me, but I don’t want to move so he can take them off. His hand smooths over my back. It’s calming.
I never thought I’d feel this safe in Death’s arms.
“Do you want to talk about it?” His chest rumbles with his words.
I blow out a breath and sit up so I can meet his eyes. His eyes, that always seemed so cold to me, are warm and curious.
“It’s easier to feel like I’m still fighting.” I pause and try to figure out what to say next. My gaze and my fingers go to the button on his shirt and toy with it. “This thing between us is complicated. I’ve never felt anything like it before.”
He tips my chin up so our eyes meet. “This wouldn’t have worked with any other girl. It only works because it’s you, Harper.”
My breath catches.
“We’re not usually the guys you take home to your mother.” He gives me a half grin. “I won’t give you up. Even if you’re ready to be done with me.”
My stomach flutters with those butterflies again. I need something else to focus on because my heart feels too big for my chest right now.
“What you did tonight with Ethan—Whatwedid tonight will have consequences.” This is what I was running from. I’m no longer an innocent bystander. I took a stand tonight. Joined them. Became a part of them in front of everyone. If they go down, I’m going down with them.
“It will.” He nods and cups my jaw. “Do you regret it?”
“No.” It’s such a simple word that carries way too much weight. “I don’t want to be your weakest link.”
“You’re not, Harper. You make us stronger.” He tangles his fingers into my hair as he cradles my head and pulls me in.
I hiss slightly at the pain settling in on my bottom. Luke winces.
With a breath between us, he whispers, “I shouldn’t have... with the belt... I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m okay, Luke. It’s okay.” My fingers clutch at his shirt. “I didn’t want you to stop.”
He tips my chin up and the anguish in his eyes makes my insides melt. “I don’t want to be like him.”
His father. The abuse he endured for years. My heart stutters in my chest. I lift my hand to his jaw.
I hold his gaze steady. “You aren’t him, Luke. You’ll never be him.”
He releases a shaky breath. I don’t know how to prove it to him. How to show him he isn’t like his abuser. How he’s slowly becoming someone I can’t live without. For a moment, we remain breathing each other in. Our breaths the only sound in the bedroom.
I don’t know who moves first.
Our lips collide, reawakening the need inside me. I undo his buttons as he lifts my shirt off me. We find each other’s mouths again as he takes off my bra and I slip his shirt off.
Our bare chests brush and he growls low in his throat, sending a pulse of need through me. The button on his jeans is already undone, but I draw down his zipper. I rise on my knees so he can pull his jeans down enough that I can free his cock.
When I position his cock at my entrance, I drag myself away from his lips so I can see his eyes as I take him inside me. He cradles my head. My lips part as he fills me.
“Luke,” I whimper.
“Take your pleasure, Harper.” He leans forward and kisses my neck. He cups my breast as his thumb works my nipple.
My head tips back as I roll my hips, lifting a little, fanning the flames of heat threatening to consume me. The bed dips behind me and Eli kisses my shoulder before nipping at it.
I drag in a breath as he closes in on me. His naked chest brushes my back as Luke spreads his legs to make room for Eli.
