Page 66 of Bound By Ink

“He won’t lay a hand on you ever again. You need to rest. I’ll go make us a drink.”

His hand reaches out. “Don’t go.” I place a gentle kiss on his lips.

“I’ll be right back, okay? I’m not leaving the house. I’ll be right back.” He nods. His face is swollen, his eyes red-rimmed. I walk away before I hit something. After storming down the stairs and straight into the kitchen, I lean on the worktop.

“You good?” Steven rests his hand on my back, and I nod.

“I’m gonna fucking kill that cunt.”

“Just breathe, mate.”

“I kicked the door in and laid him out; he could press charges.”

“Don’t worry about that. Scott will press charges if he does. Then it will be self-defence, or whatever. We won’t let him get away with it this time.” I turn, and he stares at me. “Thanks for going after him.”

I smile and nod as I turn and flick the kettle on, taking a minute to breathe.

When I take our coffee upstairs, Scott is lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I place the drinks down on the bedside table. “Hey.” He startles and looks at me.

Smiling at him, I pull the covers back and slide into bed beside him. With my arm under his head and him pulled towards me, I wrap my arms around him. He screws his fists into my T-shirt, tugging it tighter against him. He rubs his face into my chest, but we don’t speak. I pepper kisses on his forehead and stroke a hand down the back of his head. I wait until his breathing evens out and his hand relaxes against my top. Smiling, I kiss his hair.

“Sleep, beautiful, I’m going nowhere.”

Scott

Chapter 36

I wake up, a scream on my lips at the feeling of being restrained, the nightmare fresh in my mind.

I’m in Derren’s apartment. They have me pinned. He’s about to rape me, but my eyes fly open. I startle as warm breath flutters over the back of my neck, while thick, muscled arms band around me. Protective rather than restrictive. With his warm body pressed against my back, I freeze for a second, tensing as my brain tries to put the pieces together and remember where I am. Confused whether it’s still the same day, my mind and body are still so on edge.

“Hey, you’re okay. I’ve got you.” His gruff, sleep-addled voice tickles my senses.

My body instantly relaxes. The smell of him cocoons me like his embrace, and I relax against him.

“Hey, Nerd.” Killian presses a kiss to the back of my neck. I sigh; I’m safe. He’s here, and I’m home. I reach for his hand, wrapping my fingers around his and kissing them.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For coming for me.”

“I’ll always come for you, Nerd. You’re mine.”

I shake my head.

“What, you’re not mine?”

“Do you still want me after all this? I just—it feels unreal. I can’t bring myself to believe it. That you want me. It just doesn’t make sense. It’s surreal. Why?” I’m glad he’s behind me, unable to bring myself to look at him. I stay wrapped in his arms, facing the other wall. “I don’t understand what’s changed.”

“What can I do?” he whispers against my neck.

“Make me believe it. Show me I’m who you want, who you need. I just need to know this isn’t some weird, twisted, mixed-up protective brotherly love.”

“Firstly, eww gross.” He pulls away from me and rolls me onto my back. He slides his body over mine, our clothes twisting between us. “Secondly, do I look at you the same as I did before, Nerd?” His blue eyes twinkle at me, mischief sparkling in them, and his sinful grin lights me up.

I bite my lip, wincing a little, staring at him because, hell no, he really doesn’t look at me the same anymore.

He smirks at me. “I’ll take that as a no, Nerd.” The way he says Nerd now makes my skin tingle. I shudder at the thought. He leans in so close, he could almost kiss me. His intense gaze bores into mine.

The slight quirk of his lips is devilish and sexy as fuck, and I squirm. Heat rises between us, and his gaze lingers on my lips as his breath brushes across them. He grinds himself against me. My eyes close, and then the heat is gone. I open them again and sit bolt upright, wincing at the sudden movement. He’s standing at the side of the bed. He leans in and cups my face.