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I’d love nothing more than to rip Luke apart limb by limb and watch the life drain from his eyes—all while she watches and revels in his torment.

I reach up to her face, brushing her messy hair out of the way. She looks back at me in a way that she’s never looked at me before. Like she’s seeing me for the first time. Those green irises are more prominent through her bloodshot eyes, and they bring me a sort of comfort that I haven’t had for years. The only thing on my mind right now is keeping her safe. Her reaction to his name made my blood boil.

Her legs wrap around my waist as she pulls me in closer. Her eyes dip down to my lips momentarily, then back up. I study her face, the freckles scattered around it, barely visible in this light, but I know they’re there. Her full lips—glossy and puffy from crying. Her soft skin.

She reaches her hands out to my shoulders and clutches my shirt, gently pulling. “Take this off,” she hums softly.

The blood.

Right.

I quickly grip the hem of the shirt and pull it over my head, launching the material across the room.

Her mouth twitches up as her eyes rove down my torso. Her hand extends to my bare chest. The moment her fingers touch my skin, I erupt in shivers. I pull in a quick breath and shut my eyes, throwing my head back as my body tenses beneath hers.

“Beautiful,” she whispers.

“Angel…”

“Shhh,” she hushes me, putting her finger on my lips. “Let me.”

Let her?

Let her what?

My heart pounds beneath my ribcage as her hands continue their pursuit of my skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. She shuffles closer on the bed, weaving her fingers into my hair. Brushing upwards, her fingers catch on what I can only guess is dried blood. She scrunches up her nose, but a light smile touches her lips.

If there’s ever a moment I’ve been confused and nervous at the same time, it’s now. She’s touching me with such gentleness, and I’m not sure what to do about it.

Her hands fist into my hair, and she lightly pulls my head back so I’m looking directly at her.

Those emerald eyes dip down to my lips again, causing warmth to spread close to my heart.

She leans in, slowly. Oh, so slowly.

Painfully slowly as my heart gallops out of my ribcage.

Hovering over my face, her light but rapid breaths puff over my lips. I study the way her eyelashes fan out over her cheeks as she blinks. My hands flex on the sides of her thighs, and blood rushes to my cock.

“Camila…” I say, almost pleading.

“I need you, Xander,” she sighs.

“Too much has happened tonight—”

I don’t get to finish my sentence as her lips crush mine. And just like that, the switch is flipped. She’s given me her green light. Under any other circumstances, I would be devouring her.

But I want to savour this. Savour her.

I need her to know that this feeling inside of me for her isn’t just an obsession. I want her to feel what I feel for her.

I’ve never been this vulnerable with anyone. And this doesn’t feel like simply lust. This feels like wanting to be close to someone who’s just as damaged as you and opening up the walls that have been standing tall and firm.

Our tongues dance together as I sit up on my knees and pull her closer. Her already-burning skin connects with mine, and I can feel her thundering heart.

We both wrap ourselves around each other. We couldn’t possibly get any closer.

This kiss isn’t like our others have been. It’s slow. Tender. Full of unspoken feelings that both of us are too scared to admit out loud.