Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

“Then why did you do it?” I asked, as a small shudder rolled down my spine. Leaning back so that I could look at his face, I asked, “Why did you tell me?” He looked so helpless as he shrugged. “I’ve been asking myself the same question for a long time, and I still don’t have an answer, Shannon,” he croaked out, tormented blue eyes locked on mine. “I don’t understand what’s happening between us.” I realized that I was witnessing a rare moment of vulnerability from Johnny, and my heart could barely take the pressure. Seeing him like this…so exposed and unguarded? It did something to me. Made me feel protective. Like I needed to nurture him or something, which was insane, because one look at the boy and it was obvious he didn’t need anyone’s protection. But I still felt it. I watched him watch me for the longest moment, soaking in his defeated expression and the way he looked down at me almost hopefully, like I had the answers to all his questions. I didn’t. The right thing to do would be to comfort him with words of assurance. I didn’t do that. Instead, I whispered my truth. “I don’t want you to play.” Throwing caution to the wind and moving on instinct, I tucked my legs beneath me, shifted closer, and pressed my lips to his ear. “Not today, and not tomorrow. I don’t want you to go out there and put yourself in harm’s way, Johnny. I don’t want you to get hurt. I want you to stop. I want you to rest your body. I want you to take care of yourself.” “Shannon—” “Let me finish,” ...