Page 165 of The Wishing Game

"Oh, Nikki. Don't you dare go there! Don't you dare think I'd ever see you as less because of that. How can you even think that?"

"Because I don't want to save you from a prison only to lock you up in another," he says on a ragged breath.

"You won't." I shake my head. "Just the fact that you're here, with me, despite all your impediments, means the world to me.Youmean the world to me, Nikki. You always have."

"Sweetheart," he rasps, coming closer to me. His hand curves over my jaw, his thumb caressing my lips. His hand moves lower down my throat, stopping atop my breasts, just under my clavicle. "Does your shoulder hurt?"

"A little," I whisper.A little more.But I don't want him to needlessly worry about me—not when there's so much left to be done.

"Just a little?" He raises a brow at me. "Don't think I didn't notice you wince in the car."

"Okay, maybe a little more. But I'm fine. I'll be fine."

"So brave," he murmurs, and his hand trails lower, reaching the valley of my breasts. Instinctively, I grab his hand, stopping him.

"I—" I swallow hard, my eyes meeting his.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Luce."

"I know that. It's just that..."

How do I explain to him that I've seen too much violence against women in my life? That I may trust him above everyone else, but that my body still trembles with fear in his presence for the mere fact that he's a man? I've been leered at and groped since I was only a child. Because of that, I've never felt truly comfortable in another person's proximity. The only one who's managed to break those barriers has been Noelle, but she's different. She's a woman, and she's my best friend.

But this... I'm not surehowto react to this since I've never been touched with such gentleness, such kindness by a man. Yet at the same time, I can also sense the desire beneath his civil mask, a type of lust that both scares and intrigues me.

"Did anyone hurt you?" His gaze darkens.

"Not like that. I was one of the lucky ones." I force a smile. "But it's never been for the lack of trying."

A million emotions cross his face, from disbelief to sadness to pure anger.

"Who?" he demands in a harsh voice. He takes a step closer. "Who touched you, Luce?"

"They're all dead," I say. "Noelle made sure they're all dead."

"I am in your friend's debt then," he murmurs, bringing my hand to his lips, skimming them over my knuckles.

"Debt?" I frown.

"She saved you when I could not. For that she has my gratitude."

"It's fine, Nikki. Nothing happened. They just copped a feel here and there," I try to explain, but my words seem to make him madder.

His nostrils flare, his eyes narrowing at me.

"Where?"

"What?"

"Where did they touch you?"

"Nikki..."

"Show me, Luce. Show me and let me erase the bad memories," he says huskily.

I lick my lips, a shiver going down my back at the intensity I see in his gaze.

Do I dare to do this?CanI do it?

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