Page 189

“It’s a black eye,” Dalton growls. “You’ll survive.”

I turn to look at him but he looks away from me and my brows furrow.

What the hell is this?

“Says you,” Jumper adds, shaking his head. “I, for one, think it was wildly unnecessary.”

My gaze is still locked on my man and I close the distance between us, laying my hand on his chest. It takes him a moment but he finally meets my eyes and releases a breath.

Something happened.

And I can’t make sense of what it is.

There is a look in his eyes that I’ve never seen before and I desperately want to understand what put it there.

Dalton turns to look at his brother. “Maybe next time, don’t try to stop me from getting to Lennon.”

“Why in the hell were you trying to stop him from coming to me?” I snap, my brows pulling together as I flash a glare at Jumper.

“Okaaaay.” He lets out a half-hearted laugh as he holds his hands up and takes a step back, toward the door. “Seems like you two have some things to talk about and I don’t wanna get punched again so I’m gonna leave you to it.”

He turns and practically sprints for the door, closing it behind him as he slips outside. I turn back to Dalton.

“What do we have to talk about?”

Without a word, he slips his hand along my cheek, the palm of his hand rough against my skin. I melt into his touch as he leans down and seals his lips over mine.

And just like that, I’m lost.

Gone are all the thoughts of the other night. All the questions swirling through my head, erased. Everything comes down to this man and his lips on mine.

It’s intoxicating.

Just as powerful as the first time we kissed.

And I don’t know how I’ll ever get enough.

His other arm wraps around my waist and pulls me closer. I grip the t-shirt at his side and lean into him with a hum, losing myself completely. I don’t know where he ends and I begin as the hand around my waist drops to my ass and gives it a squeeze, pulling me even closer.

My body is plastered to his, touching in every spot we can and his hands are everywhere, grabbing me like he can’t get enough. His tongue flicks against my lips and I let him in, moaning as he floods my senses.

The smell of him.

The taste of him.

The feel of him.

It’s intense.

Consuming.

But heavy with things left unsaid.

I pull back, gasping for air and meet his eyes. “Dalton?”

“I need you, baby,” he whispers before leaning in again, his lips finding mine. I’m vaguely aware of his torn-up knuckles and his bloody t-shirt but I can’t bring myself to pull away from him.

He kisses me like a man possessed, like my lips are his salvation. Like connecting with me is more important than air, than food, than water. I’ve never felt so completely worshipped from just a kiss in my entire life. His other hand dives into my hair, pulling it until my head drops back. He drags his lips down my neck, biting and kissing as he goes.