Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

I was so struck down by the sight of this tiny mud-covered girl that I just nodded like a fucking eejit.

“I won’t let you fall,” I automatically replied in a soothing tone.

“You feel so warm,” she whispered and I felt her cheek nuzzle against my bare chest.

She opened her eyes, and fuck me, I unintentionally sucked in a sharp breath. Jesus, this girl was beautiful.

She had a striking look about her. But now, seeing her up close like this and being able to count the freckles on her face—eleven by the way—it was hitting home just how striking she was.

Her blue eyes were big and round and fucking beautiful, with small hues of yellow dotting through them, ...

Without thinking twice about what I was doing, I reached up and tucked her hair behind her ears.

Thank fuck for that, because you’re ruining all of me right now, I thought to myself.

The way he had touched me with big dirty, gentle hands. How he talked to me like he wanted to hear what I had to say. And then listened to my rambling like it was important to him.

Shannon Lynch had eyes the color of midnight blue that wouldn’t stay the fuck out of my head.

I didn’t think was a good enough word to describe the color. They should have been called soul blue because they were deep

She had this sweet something about her, and I liked how it felt when I was around her.

With a huge smile on her face, she picked up the newspaper and held it up to show me. “This,” Ma asked, full-on grinning now, as she tapped her nail on a huge-ass full-color picture of me with Shannon at the School Boy Shield game last week.

Jesus, she looked gorgeous, all wide-eyed and smiling as I held her to my side. Her brown hair was loose and blowing in the breeze. The top of her head grazed my armpit, that’s how tiny she was.

he was just so beautiful, it was painful. Everything about Johnny Kavanagh was pure perfection. He was big and strong, and his face? Oh god, his face was the best face I had ever laid eyes on.

he draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in to his side. “No one’s going to hurt you.”

He was big and strong and I got the distinct feeling that he was telling me the truth.

“You’re safe,” he whispered, cupping my cheek in his hand, eyes boring holes straight through my soul. “I promise.”

“Now,” I sneered, glaring down at their faces. “Who wants to call my girlfriend a whore to my face?”

You could love this girl your whole life, the crazy thought persisted inside my brain over and over, if you just let yourself.

Whatever cologne he was wearing was wafting up my nose, so at least I could die smelling something wonderful.

I crawled onto his lap. Johnny’s entire frame tensed, and his hands fell away from my body, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. With my knees on either side of his thighs, I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his neck.

When the Irish senior team marched onto the pitch for the national anthem, Johnny’s entire face lit up. His eyes danced with excitement as he tapped his hand against the couch. He looked very young. And adorable.

“See this one?” he asked as he stood behind me with his arm stretched around my body so I could see.

I had no clue how I ended up getting my ass handed to me by that pint-sized girl, but that’s what happened. Watching her completely dominate my PlayStation was so fucking hot.

Just a pair of Calvin Kleins that hung low on his V-indented hips—identical to the pair of his that I had worn last week. The pair I had been sleeping in for nights.

Johnny walked over to where I was standing. And then he proceeded to hover behind me, his bare chest rubbing against my back, as he stared at my reflection in the mirror, face set in a deep frown.

Reaching up with one hand, Johnny cupped my chin and used his free hand to gently sweep my hair off my neck.

“Someone touched you,” Johnny whispered in my ear, placing his fingers on the marks. “I want to know who.”

I sagged against his chest, eyes glued to our reflection in the mirror as he stared right back at me, blue eyes scorching holes in my soul,

Releasing an unsteady breath, I reached up, grabbed Johnny’s neck, and pulled his face down to mine. And then I kissed him.

I had no clue how to handle girl tears. And girl tears coming from that particular girl affected me something fierce.

She seemed so lonely in this moment that it physically pained me to look at her. Because I knew I was responsible. And my heart was demanding I make it right. I wanted to. I just didn’t know how without hurting both of us.

“Jesus Christ,” Johnny groaned, dropping his head in his hands. “Of course, I like you.” He tugged on his hair and sighed. “I think it’s pretty fucking clear that I’m mad about you.”

this boy who made my heart jackknife in my chest at regular intervals and my common sense flatline, was standing in the middle of the school hallway, defending my honor.

I knew right there that he was exceptionally special and that it had nothing to do with his sporting capabilities. He was exceptional on the inside, too.

I glanced over at her and bit back a groan. She was so fucking beautiful it was painful, with those big blue eyes staring back at me all innocent and full of uncertainty. I didn’t need the temptation that came with being this close to her. Problem was, every time she ran, I found myself chasing right after her, desperate to just be with her.

It was the smallest, briefest, least sexy peck, but it had come from her lips and that changed everything. Just like last night had changed everything. It deepened everything I had been desperately trying to deny. The signs I had been hiding from. They shot up like neon posters on the sides of buildings. I was so fucking thrown off-kilter by this girl.

She had makeup on. A full face of bleeding makeup that made me want to cry. She was gorgeous without putting a thing on her face,

Every time I won, the girl next to me smiled. Every time I handed her another Easter egg or stupid little award, she crept further out of that shell she was hiding in. That was worth the slagging I was going to reap from my team. She was worth it all.

I love you, I almost blurted out, holding the three terrifying words back just in time. Oh my god! Where did that come from?

It was ridiculous, adorable, and I couldn’t wipe the stupid smile off my face.

“Because you’re beautiful,” he stated, causing my cheeks to flush a deep shade of pink.

He cleared his throat then, looking slightly uncomfortable, and for a moment I thought he was about to take the compliment back, but then he steeled his features, tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and whispered, “Inside and out.” Those extra words did the trick. Those extra words ruined me.

carefully scrolled through his playlists and almost had a heart attack when my eyes landed on the one named Songs for Shannon.

Shaking my head, I reached up and cupped his neck, pulling his face down to mine. Pressing up on my tiptoes, I whispered in his ear, “I need you to stay safe out there, okay?”

I knew I was too old for her. I knew she was too sweet and pure to be dragged into the limelight that came with my life. And I knew that she was too fucking broken for a guy like me to get tangled up with. But I already felt like I was drowning with her.

And then he kissed me. The moment his lips crushed against mine, a fierce blast of heat coursed through my body,

I’m serious,” I slurred. “I think I love that girl.” “Well, who’s this girl?” “She’s a river.” I sighed and closed my eyes. “I’m keeping her, Da.”

“Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da,” I groaned, slapping a hand against my chest. “I’m done for.”