Wrong (A Bad Boy Romance)(49)

I find it hard to believe that Nick does, either, but that’s sure what it sounds like. Like he actually cares about me. Like his idea of protecting me is exactly that, and not some trumped-up way to keep hold of his power over Sal.

Finally I just nod. I still can’t speak. I’m afraid to. I peel the back off the adhesive bandage I’ve been holding and set it in place over the big, deep bruise on his ribs. There’s no broken skin, but it’ll at least provide some padding and keep his shirt from rubbing against the bruise.

He closes a hand around mine as I’m carefully patting the sticky edges down, trying to get enough pressure for them to stick without hurting him. I look up and he smiles a little at me.

“Thanks,” he says. “Usually I have to patch myself up.”

“Well, if you wouldn’t get into fistfights with people…”

He gives a soft chuckle, and I let myself meet his eyes. Then, before I can think much about what I’m doing, I lean forward and kiss him.

It’s a soft kiss, because I know his lip is broken open and I don’t want to hurt him. But before I can think much about that, he’s pushing into me with his mouth, hard, and I can taste blood. I feel more than hear a soft whimper in the back of my throat.

Nick draws back. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.” I reach up and brush his lower lip, which is seeping blood a little. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Forget it.” He kisses me again, this time engulfing me in his arms, the strong contours of muscle pressing against me. It almost makes me feel safe. His arms make a cage, but it’s a cage where I’m truly protected.

I thought it would be impossible for me to actually feel something for Nick, but I’m beginning to doubt that assumption. I almost think he might have feelings for me, even, as unlikely as that might seem. His hands on my back hold me firmly but gently as he kisses me deeper and deeper, his tongue exploring.

I catch fire so fast with Nick. There’s no need to coax or convince me or my body. The pleasure ignites immediately between my legs, and I feel like I’m melting. It’s so intense, so consuming I’m already shivering on the edge of an orgasm, and all he’s done is kiss me.

After a minute or two he draws back, his breath harsh and ragged. I glance down without thinking about it and see his cock hard and straining under his dark boxer briefs. He starts to pull at the buttons on my shirt, opening them.

I lay a hand on his to stop him, but he doesn’t stop. “Nick…you’re hurt.”

“Don’t care.”

“I don’t want to hurt you. I might bump that bruise or—”

His mouth is on mine again before I can finish the sentence, and then he reaches behind me and pops the clasp on my bra. He moves to push my shirt off me, and I move with him, shrugging out of the sleeves and letting the bra slide down my arms. It lands in his lap.

Breaking the kiss, he latches on to one breast, sucking so hard I gasp. It hurts, but a sharp tingling follows the initial stab of pain, the sensation tracing deep into my breast and echoing in my clit. His teeth clench a little harder then release, then he moves to the other breast and does the same thing.

“Pants off,” he mutters as he releases that nipple. I fumble at my buttons until he reaches down to help, shoving my zipper down, peeling my pants out of the way. I lift from the floor to help him.

“Get up,” he says. “Sit on my lap.”

“Nick, are you sure?” That bruise is huge. If I shift just the wrong way…

“Do it.” His hands close around my waist and lift me, as if to assure me he’s quite serious. I start to turn to sit on his lap with my back to him, but his hands tighten. “Not like that. Straddle me.”

I shake my head, and for a second his mouth tightens, but then I grab at the waistband of his boxer briefs and he gets where I’m going. He lifts his hips so I can peel them down, and a few seconds later we’re both naked as I take the opportunity to get my own pants all the way off as well. Then I carefully straddle his thighs, trying to avoid the big bruise as I slide a knee to either side of his hips.

His hot, naked cock pushes up against my thigh then into the crease of my groin when I settle onto him. He closes his eyes a moment, and I think maybe I’ve hurt him, but then he reaches between us and pinches my clit. His eyes grab mine, holding me tight in his gaze.

I can’t move. His fingers on me are squeezing and pinching, nearly painful, thoroughly intense as sparks begin to shoot up my abdomen. Holding my clit between his knuckles, he shoves his thumb inside me and starts thrusting.