Page 34 of Ferocity

The sound that emanated from him seconds before his lips pressed to hers, reminded her of a feral animal going in for the kill. The kiss was demanding, hard and insistent. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip and when she opened for him, he pulled back. “All in due time.”

The assuredness in his voice surprised Scarlett. He left her an aching mess and he didn't even touch her, besides her lips. She let out a shaky breath as he moved back, affording her a quick escape and escape she did, to her room, where Timothy was waiting on her.

Surprise, surprise.

He sat on her bed, his elbows on his knees and his hands folded. The minute she stepped inside, his head lifted and those obsidian eyes of his met hers. She could drown in his gaze, the darkness overtaking her with minimal effort.

“You seem pensive,” Scarlett said breaking the silence lingering between them. “Did something happen while I was gone?”

“No,” he answered. “I was contemplating what I'd do next.”

He'd lost her. “Huh?”

“Well, I have to stay here tonight.”

“Right.” She stepped farther into her room, closing the door behind her.

“And, I think Dave, Kenny, and Edward have something planned for you later.”

So did she. What it would consist of, she didn't know, but it made her all hot and bothered and a little impatient as well. All four of them had been driving her insane with their subtle caresses and glances. Nonetheless, she also couldn’t help but worry too. “What do you have planned for me?”

He stood then; his imposing figure loomed over her. Without the fancy suit and tie, he appeared bigger, a bit beefier. Timothy wrapped an arm around her and tucked her to his body. “Is it crazy I find myself attracted to you, even though I don't know much about you?”

The utterance of his words surprised Scarlett. “I suppose it depends on what you mean, by not much?”

“I know about your accident and about the bullshit your sister is trying to pull, but when it comes to knowing you—your likes and dislikes, I'm still in the dark. Still, even without knowing your favorite book or if you enjoy certain movies, I can't help falling for you a little each day.”

She peered up at him. “How do each of you accept me, as I am, without holding an ounce of jealousy between you? How do four men, all different in some substantial ways, find me attractive?”

He shrugged then, the nonchalant movement filled with grace and determination. “It's easy. We have one goal in mind when it comes to you.”

Foolishly she asked the question sitting on the tip of her tongue. “What?”

“Making you happy.”

Scarlett ducked her head as heat filled her cheeks. “People like me don't get that happiness.”

“Why?” He lifted her chin, forcing her to stare at him. “Because you were tricked and now scarred? Because your parents shunned you after the accident? Why do you think you should be seen as the evil or bad sister who has to be the shut-in?”

“Because it's true,” she whispered. “All of it.”

Timothy ran the pad of his thumb across her cheek. “Not even close. Just because your parents were blinded by your sister's sweet demeanor, doesn't mean the rest of us are. We see what she's doing.”

“It's too late though. Even when the truth comes out, people will see me as the one who caused my parents hardship and heartache. I'm the burden.”

Timothy snorted. “You only are, because you deem yourself to be.” He bent his head and brushed his lips over hers. “You're conditioned to be. We'll change that. Help you see you're more than the scar on your face.”

He kissed her again. Where Edward was hard and demanding, Timothy coaxed her to open for him. He teased the seam of her lips until she chased the kiss. When their tongues touch, she let out a startled whimper. Timothy fisted her hair, tugging her head into the position he wanted her in before deepening the kiss.

Scarlett sank into the sensation, pressing her body to his. The evidence of his arousal rubbed across her lower belly and it sent a rush of desire through her. She couldn't explain what was happening or why, but she accepted it. Maybe later, she'd contemplate her decision to give herself to all four men. Or, perhaps, in a way, it'd been her destiny and something others wouldn’t expect of her.

“Fuck,” he muttered. “I told the others I'd wait until later, but I don't think I can.”

“Well, it's going to have to,” Kenny stated. “Dinner's ready.”

Scarlett glanced over her shoulder at Kenny. He leaned against the doorframe, his gaze heavy-lidded, his body tense, like he'd been ready to pounce. The hungry look in his amber eyes caused her to shiver in need. “Oh good. I'm starving.”

Timothy tucked her to his chest, the possessiveness of his hold, surprised her. “We'll be there in a minute.”

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