Page 13 of Fire in My Blood

Her face goes slack, and the emotion in her eyes dulls. “Yes,” she whispers.

***

Erica

My sadness and hurt suddenly fade away, and I feel a strong urge to tell Lucas everything that happened that night. It’s suddenly so uncomplicated. Of course, I will tell him. He needs to know.

The words burst from my lips, and I tell him all about how a man raped and bit me in a dark alley.

Lucas asks me a few questions about the man, but I can’t give him a description since I never saw the man’s face or any other part of him. The main thing I remember about him is the sounds he made while he raped me. Those will forever be stuck in my mind.

Lucas looks away, and it’s like reality slams back into my head. I gasp and close my eyes in horror.

What just happened? Why did I suddenly decide to blurt out the whole story? The only person I’ve ever told about my assault is David, and I’ve known him my whole life. Mina knows as well, but only because I gave my brother permission to tell her.

Tears fill my eyes before spilling down my cheeks, the old fear and shame clogging my throat and trying to choke me.

“I’m so sorry.” Lucas’s voice is low and filled with so much compassion I can’t hold back a sob.

His hand cupping the side of my face makes me blink my eyes open and lean into his touch. It’s so warm and comforting.

I meet his sympathetic gaze and suddenly it all becomes too much. “Don’t look at me like that.” Yanking my head away, I start to get up, but he grabs my wrist and stops me.

“I’m sorry, Erica.” His voice is rough. “If I ever find that asshole, I’ll kill him.”

My head snaps around, and I stare at him in shock. His face is a hard mask, and I don’t doubt for a second that he means it.

Before I can protest, he continues. “Don’t waste your breath trying to talk me out of it. I hope you realize you’re not the only one he’s assaulted. He already knew what he was doing when he came after you, and I can guarantee you he hasn’t stopped since. A slow painful death is nothing more than he deserves.”

I can’t move a muscle as I stare into his rage-filled eyes. This man is lethal. He is deadly to his enemies. But I’m convinced he has a good heart, and he would never hurt anyone who doesn’t deserve it.

I let out a shaky breath as warmth spreads through my chest. I’m not used to that kind of viciousness, but I’m still touched by his concern and eagerness to avenge me.

Reaching out, I put my hand on his chest over his heart. “Thank you, Lucas. That means a lot.”

He pulls in a sharp breath. “Erica. You shouldn’t touch me right now.”

Heat fills his eyes, and I can’t look away. He lifts his right hand and lets his fingers skim down my arm before he takes my hand in his and braids our fingers together.

My gaze drops to his lips. They look both soft and masculine. Heat pools in my lower belly as I wonder how they would feel against mine.

I bite my bottom lip. I haven’t kissed anyone for so long I’m not sure I know how anymore. And will I even be able to without tensing up and ruining everything?

Chapter 9

Lucas

I lean in slowly before I brush my lips lightly over hers. Desire races through my body like wildfire, and I want to wrap my arms around her and crush her to my chest. But instead I hold still and move my lips gently over hers to give her the opportunity to pull away if she can’t handle the intimacy between us.

Several seconds go by before she responds, and when she finally does, I silently cheer. I release her hand and carefully move mine up to stroke my fingers along her jaw and up to her ear. Her skin is so soft I have to suppress a groan of pure pleasure from simply touching her.

Her tongue licks the seam of my mouth, and I open my mouth to meet her tongue with mine. Sinking her fingers into my hair, she deepens the kiss. Our tongues dance and play, and I fight to stay in control and not make any sudden moves that might scare her. My shaft is so hard it hurts, but I ignore it and focus all my attention on her mouth.

She moans into my mouth before she abruptly yanks her head away. Her eyes are wide and unblinking. “I… I have to go.”

“Okay.” I give her what I hope is a warm smile. The desire I feel for her is probably evident in my eyes, but there’s nothing I can do about that. “Will you come back tomorrow?” I want to beg her to stay, but it’s safer for her to leave when I’m this close to losing control.

After getting to her feet, she shakes her head. “No.”

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