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He held his breath, a sinking suspicion making him sick. “How old were you when you were married?”
She looked down. “Fifteen.”
Everything in him wanted to roar in anger and wrap her into a protective shell, then go after the monster who took advantage of Brynn as a child like that. Where were her parents?
He pulled away from her, his fists clenching at his forehead as he ground his teeth so hard, he thought they might snap.
Brynn’s gentle touch settled on his cheek. “Do you hate me?”
His brows drew together as he dropped his hands and turned towards her again. “What? Never. Why would I . . .” I think I love you. But she wasn’t ready to hear that.
“I didn’t tell you about my marriage. And I . . . I have so many issues.”
He pressed his thumb to her lips, silencing her. Her green eyes widened and then heated.
“None of that was your fault, you hear me? Whatever you did in your past was to survive and it brought you to me. I don’t even care if you had literal blood on your hands. You’re here with me now. No one will ever hurt you again. I’ll protect you. You hear me, sunshine?” He moved his finger away from her mouth.
She hesitated, eyes lighting with a hundred emotions at once before her lips crashed over his. Fire and want. Hope and promises weaved between their mouths with each glide of her lips against his.
His hand slid up her ribs, stopping right under the swell of her breast. A tiny mewl escaped her, shooting straight to his cock. Brynn deepened the kiss, her tongue darting into his mouth as she rocked against him, much bolder than she’d ever been before.
His body tensed, lust burning his veins. He hadn’t known what wanting truly was until this moment. It took everything in him to pull away.
Her dazed eyes stared back at him, confusion swirling in the emerald depths.
“You’re tipsy.”
“But it’s not just the wine. This happens other times too. My body . . . it’s like whenever you’re near me I burn hotter than that fireplace.” She waved to the flickering flames. “I’ve never felt that way before, like I need . . . you to touch me or I might burst.”
Her cheeks were rosy either from the wine, or from her confession, maybe a mixture of both. Her kiss-swollen lips glistened in the firelight.
This was the most she’d ever opened to him, and Aaron wished it wasn’t because of the alcohol. But he wouldn’t take advantage of her like this. No, he had to protect her—even from herself.
He stood. Her arms tightened around his neck as he carried her upstairs to her room. Her body trembled against his before he set her on the bed. He moved to her feet, taking off her shoes and placing them neatly on the floor. He skimmed his hand up her leg, past her thigh, and over the silk on her belly. Her inhale was quick as he wove his hand between her breasts, resting on the pulse points on her neck as he leaned his face to hers. Her heart raced faster than even his.
“You’re not ready, beautiful. But when you are, I’ll touch every inch of you and worship your body as it should be worshipped.” Aaron placed a chaste kiss on her lips.
He straightened and turned, then walked out of the room before the last thread of his self-control snapped. Because Brynn deserved someone who would put her needs above his own. And he wouldn’t be a one-night drunken regret for her.
Aaron wanted forever.
