How could she accept me?
I was unfamiliar with this new shadow of insecurity that seemed to linger over me whenever we were together. It was hard for me to process. It’s easy to be perfect in front of people who didn’t care.
But in front of her? I felt like the aftermath of an F5 tornado.
“You were born in the darkness, but I was dragged into it by monsters. Both of us were drowning in it, but then I found you, Col.”
I stroked her cheek.
“In a different life, Karina, maybe we could be…” I trailed off, looking out the window once more as lightning struck. Thunder followed immediately after. The storm was here. “You don’t deserve this life.”
Her hands snaked around my front and she began unbuttoning my shirt. “Neither do you.”
“You’re right, I deserve much worse.”
She got on her knees, shooting me a look, and pushed the fabric off my shoulders as her silk strap fell off hers.
“Let me see them,” she pleaded.
My scars.
I found myself turning around, giving her what she wanted. My eyes focused on the wall in front of me, reminding me of when I used to lethimbeat me as her fingers began tracing over them. Her touch burned, melting the ice around that annoying thing in my chest.
Now, she could see the monster I truly was.
I let out a breath as her fingers touched the worst one.
One night, during my first year in New York, Romano was so pissed. We'd lost one million dollars. A bet fell through with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He gave me a single lesson, one that lasted six hours.
The man had to beat me down to feel powerful, and I let him. To play the part. Until the time was right.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Her pity wasn’t wanted or needed. A weight settled in my stomach. Her apology—it struck something inside of me. My brows furrowed. “Why are you apologizing?”
She remained silent, and then something replaced her fingers—herlips.I stiffened.
“Karina,” I warned, my jaw tight.
“Let me love you, Col.”
I don’t know how to, baby.
She placed two more kisses on my scar before I whirled on her. My lips captured hers as my arms hauled her against me in one swift movement.
“I ache for you,” I rasped against her lips. I felt her smile.
“Say yes,” she whispered, her hands coming up to the back of my head, her nails teasing my scalp.
“This world—my world—isn’t for you.”
“No, but you are.”
Fucking Hell.
I kissed her again, more fiercely. Her sweet words turned me on so fucking much. I hated it. I loved it. I couldn’t get enough of it. She was an addiction. My hips pressed against her stomach, my erection giving her proof of how much she drove me crazy.
“Say yes,” she repeated, her words coming out as a desperate breath.
