Page 48 of Swerve (Boosted Hearts 1)

“You want to know why I’m so angry? Why I’m this close to losing my fucking shit every minute of every day?” His hand curled around the side of my neck, thumb sliding along my jaw, back and forth, lifting goose bumps across my skin. Somehow, I managed to nod.

He dipped lower, so he was eye level with me. “Because you are mine, Ruby. You are mine and for the longest time I haven’t allowed myself to have you. I’m angry because some fucker put his hands on you, hurt you, scared you, and I wasn’t there to protect my woman. I’ve been fighting this thing between us, babe. I’ve been fighting it since you walked your sweet sixteen-year-old ass into that party, in that dress you bought with the birthday money I gave you, wanting more from me, and looking at me like I’d ended your world when I told you to leave. I knew what you wanted from me. I knew it then, but I was into some serious shit, bad shit, and that night, after what happened, as much as it killed me to do it, I did what I had to, what I’ve always done. I protected you.” He cupped my jaw, eyes locked with mine. “I protected you . . . from me.”

My breath was forced from my lungs on a shaky exhale past my lips, like I’d been punched in the chest. “That night, you wanted me to find you with that girl . . . didn’t you?”

“Yes.” Pain flashed through his eyes. “I needed you to give up on me. I was young and stupid, and so damn scared after what happened to you . . . because of me. So, I pushed you away the only way I knew how. Those guys were part of my world, and there were a fuck of a lot more like them. I didn’t see that changing.” He released a rough breath. “I’m not part of that world now. And you’re sure as fuck not a kid anymore.” His hand dropped to my ass and he lifted me, so my butt was on the back of the couch. “I was waiting until you were better, until your injuries had completely healed, but I don’t want to wait any longer. I’m done fighting. You understand what I’m saying, Ruby?”

I heard every one of his words. Every one. But I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing, what he was saying to me. So I shook my head. “No.” My fingers dug into his biceps, not sure if I wanted to shove him away or never let him go. “I don’t understand.”

He cupped the back of my head, sliding his cheek again mine, his five o’clock shadow lightly grazing my skin, lips pressing against my temple. “About time I showed you.”

Then he lifted me off the couch and strode down the hall, back the way I’d come.

To his bedroom.

He walked in and lowered me to the bed, coming down on top of me, this time carefully. His hand dropped, curling around my knee and he spread my legs, pulling the one in his hand up and around his waist.

His nose slid along mine, mouth a breath away. “You gettin’ it now?” he said, voice so rough the hair on the back of my neck lifted.

I blinked up at him. “I’m not sure I am,” I whispered.

The corners of his eyes crinkled and he chuckled low. I felt it. It vibrated right through me. “Cute as well as sexy,” he muttered.

I wasn’t trying to be cute, or sexy. I was too stunned to be anything.

He brushed his lips over mine, once, twice, then lifted his head, looking down at me. “How about now?”

The way he looked at me had my toes curling in my Doc Martens. He hid nothing from me, it was all there, everything he felt, everything he wanted. I was still too scared to believe it.

I shook my head.

His eyes drifted down to my lips, back up. “What will it take?”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, and licking my suddenly dry lips, I forced words out of my mouth. “M-more . . . more kissing might help?”

“Yeah?”

I nodded.

He grinned, then slowly slid my glasses off, putting them on the bedside table, never taking his eyes off me once. I bit my lip and his gaze dropped to my mouth, a second before he pressed those full, soft lips of his against mine again. This kiss was nothing like the angry, punishing ones he’d given me before. This was sweet and slow and packed full of emotion that made my heart soar and ache all at once. One of his hands cupped the side of my face, the other still holding my leg high on his waist, then he tilted his head and parted his lips, sliding his tongue across mine. My mouth opened on a moan, and he delved deep. He kept the kiss slow, painfully slow, and the sensuality of it had my belly squirming and my heart racing.

Neco kissed me for the longest time, until I was dizzy, drugged from him. I never wanted to stop. I could feel the length of his hard cock between my legs, through his jeans. He didn’t grind against me, just held still, the hard, heavy weight giving me the pressure I needed while driving me wild for more, all at the same time.

Finally, he lifted his head, eyes dark and hungry locking with mine. “I want to fuck you, Ruby, so bad, baby. But you’re still bruised.” He smoothed the pad of his thumb across my cheek. “I won’t hurt you. I will never hurt you again.”

He wasn’t just talking about the bruises on my body, and I bit my lip to stop it quivering. “I know.” I lifted my hand, curling my fingers around the side of my neck. “But I don’t want you to stop,” I whispered. “I’ve waited a long time for you, Neco. Don’t make me wait anymore.”

His nostrils flared and I could feel the beat of his heart against mine pound harder, faster.

“Shit, baby.” He rolled his hips, making me gasp. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” I urged him back down, my lips touching his. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” That was the truth. I’d known from that first night I was meant to be Neco’s girl. But I’d given up believing he’d ever feel the same, that he’d allow himself to.

He pressed a hard, fast kiss to my lips then lifted me up, his hands dropping to the bottom of my shirt. Then he was sliding it up, helping me out of it. His gaze dropped to my cotton encased breasts. My bra was plain and boring. Something soft and comfortable. Neco looked down at me like I’d just stepped out of a Victoria’s Secret changing room. He cupped me in one of his large hands and hissed out a breath.

“Fuck.” His eyes darted back to mine. “You’re pierced.”

I nodded.