Trapped in a storm of emotions, I curl my hands into fists and force my diaphragm to expand my lungs.She’s gorgeous.Absolutely stunning.The flare of her hips and her full breasts compressed in her sports bra flood my mouth with saliva.Harder than a rock, my cock tests the integrity of my pants even as horror grips my soul.
Thin white lines, thick, jagged edges, and round burn scars cover her torso.Instead of soft, smooth flesh, the skin from her shoulders to below her waistline tells a horrible story of abuse.It’s unfathomable.I vibrate from the depths of my soul from the intensity of my fury.
She reaches for the underbust of her bra.I grab her forearms.
My ragged breaths fill the cramped space.
The piercings on her sternum—cute little diamonds like the dermals beside her eye—shine amidst the scarred flesh of her cleavage.I long to bury my face in her chest and tease the jewelry with my lips and tongue as I explore every inch of her with my hands.The gem dangling from the curved bar in her belly button makes me yearn to fall to my knees and worship her.
Hurt flashes in her eyes.I rush to explain when I realize she thinks I’m rejecting her.
“Leave it on, love.I can’t promise I’ll hold back if you show me your perfect breasts, and you need rest after your injury,” I growl.
“I don’t usually wear bras.They itch and burn,” she admits.
I curse, close my eyes, and drop my head back, needing a moment to center myself before I push her up against the wall and fuck her senseless.Or worse, the floor.
“Is it bothering you now?”I ask.
She shakes her head.I swallow my disappointment and excess saliva, run my fingers through my hair, and reach for her.
She steps away and lifts a hand to stop me.
Braver than any small, delicate woman should ever have to be, Penelope gathers her hair off her nape and gives a slow turn, ensuring every scar on her body burns into my memory.
After a full rotation, she stops, pierces my soul with her glittering hazel eyes, and holds her hand out so her ring glints in the light.
“This belonged to my friend Terry.She gave it to me the day before she committed suicide.”Her voice wavers, but she clears her throat and continues.“I didn’t even realize she was being bullied until they started targeting me again after you left.”
My heart hurts too much.I fist my shirt over my sternum to resist the urge to pull her into my arms.I can’t shield her from the past, but I can protect her in the future.
Refusing to interrupt her for fear of her closing up and never telling me, I curl my toes against the floor tiles and clench my teeth.
“When I reached out for help only for everyone to turn away, I took it all in silence because I thought I deserved it.Because I failed Terry.She suffered for an entire year right in front of me, and I didn’t even know until the end.”
Her swallow pains me.
“I’ll never take this off, but… I want to wear your ring, too.”
Even as elation soars through me, the worry in her gaze roots me to the spot.
“So don’t give up on me.Okay?”she pleads.
I bracket her face in my hands, mindful of her bruised chin, and bend down to press my forehead against hers.Her sweet vanilla scent seeps into my psyche and soothes my soul.
“I’m never leaving, pipsqueak.You’re mine.I’m yours.Forever,” I swear.
She sags in relief and hooks her hands around my nape.My back cramps from bending down so far, but I don’t give a shit.Her breath ghosts over my lips as she whispers.
“I’m sorry about what I said at the jewelry store.”
My heart melts.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.”
“I ran into my bully.She said—”
Penelope shakes so hard I worry she’ll aggravate her still recovering brain.I wrap my arms around her and lift her off her feet.She squeaks and wraps her legs around my hips.I growl and carefully spin around before leaning into the shower and adjusting the temperature.
