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A smile so wicked that even the devil himself would cower lifts Ash’s beautiful lips.
“Your wish is our pleasure, Princess.”
Then he lifts my hand, and just like in class earlier today, places a gentle kiss on my knuckles.
Chapter Twenty-Six
LILLY
Alittle later, I head to the shower, needing to wash off the feel of rough, clammy hands.
I look at myself in the mirror, gasping aloud at the sight. My jaw is already starting to mottle purple with a bruise, my bottom lip is swollen where it's split, and there's dried blood all down the left side of my face. Jax checked the wound, luckily it's not deep enough to need stitches. I can see small marks littered across my chest where he ripped my dress open.
A sob catches my throat, and I have to lean my hands on the counter to steady myself, taking deep gasping breaths of air.
“Please, can I help you, Pretty Girl?” I hear Loki's deep voice behind me, and looking up, I see his reflection in the mirror, his brow wrinkled and his gaze pained.
I nod then turn around, feeling fresh tears sting my eyes at being brought so low in front of him.I'm so sick of crying.
He walks towards me, then gently peels my torn dress down, leaving it to pool on the tiles at my feet. His eyes take in my torn bra and missing knickers, a growl sounding in his throat when he sees the red welt on my hip where they were ripped off. I see him catalogue every bruise or cut on me, like he's making a list of my hurts so that he can return them tenfold to my abuser.
His eyes come back up to mine, and there is rage in the emerald depths, along with a guilt so strong, it cracks my heart further and takes my breath away. I take a step towards him, my arm outstretched, wanting to give him comfort. He looks away, but not before I see the glisten of tears.
I run my fingers through his silky auburn hair, and for a moment, get lost in its texture, realising just how much I've missed it.
“Loki, look at me.” I gently tug so that his eyes meet mine. “Hey. This isn't your fault.” I look deep into the myriad of greens, willing him to believe me.
He swallows hard, and I can see his Adam's apple bobbing with the movement.
“If I hadn't…” he begins, closing his eyes briefly before opening them and looking at me. “If we hadn't iced you out. If we'd taken better care of you…” I'm shaking my head and interrupting before he's even finished.
“Loki, no. By the same token, if I hadn't run away, judged you so harshly, without thinking it through…”
“You needed time,” he replies firmly, then softer, almost a whisper, “you broke my heart that night, Lilly.” And the anguish in his gaze shreds my soul in half.
“I broke my own too,” I say quietly back, more tears beginning to track down my face. “I'm so sorry, Loki.”
“I'm sorry too,” he gently responds, wiping my tears with the pads of his thumbs.
I close my eyes, but rather than Loki's gentle touch, it's Robert’s painful one. My eyes snap back open as I jerk back with a gasp, breaking contact with Loki.
“Shit, did I hurt you?” Loki asks frantically, his eyes searching my face, fresh guilt in them.
I shake my head. “Every time I close my eyes, I see him. Feel his touch. I can't make it stop,” I choke out, my voice thick.
“What can I do, baby?” Loki asks, looking helpless and angry, all at the same time as he stands with his fists clenched at his sides like he’s scared to touch me.
“Replace his hands with yours,” I beg, my eyes pleading with him. “Chase his touch away, Loki, please.”
I know this is probably so unhealthy, but as I think about it, I know that it's what I need.
“Lilly...I'm...I'm not sure that's such a good idea,” he says hesitantly, but I can see lust starting to replace some of the helplessness in his eyes. I can see his primal need to mark me as his own. To reestablish our bond.
I undo what’s left of my bra, letting it fall to the ground as I step up to him, reaching out for his hand then placing it on my bare breast.
“Please, Loki. I need you.” And those words seem to be his undoing as he squeezes the globe, a gasp escaping me as he pulls me in for a searingly hot kiss.
It's a kiss full of pain, heartache, and longing. We both groan as our tongues meet, and we taste each other again for the first time in two weeks. I feel the sharpness of my split lip, and taste copper as it reopens but I don’t care. I need Loki, need his lips on mine more than my next breath.
