Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

Johnny released a frustrated growl. Seconds later, I felt his hand on my neck as he leaned over my seat and pulled my body sideways to face him. Stunned, I could do nothing but stare up at him. “Wh-what are you doing?” Johnny’s eyes were wild and heated, panicked and interested, as they flickered from my eyes to my lips. For the briefest of moments, I thought he was about to kiss me. But he didn’t. Of course, he didn’t. Instead, he released a ragged breath, cupped the side of my neck, bringing me closer, and touched his cheek to mine. Pressing his lips to my ear, in a voice barely more than a whisper, he said, “I’m scared, Shannon.” “Scared?” I felt him nod, his stubbly cheek rubbing against mine. “Of what?” “You.” “Me?” My heart flipped in my chest. “Why?” “What I told you that night?” he whispered, gently clutching the side of my neck with his huge hand. “All that shite about my surgery and how much pain I’m in? I’m furious with myself for losing my head and telling you something that can be used against me. I gave you power over me and now I’m fucking panicking, okay? I lost my cool with you in the car because you struck a nerve. Because you called me out on my bullshit. Because you were right.” “I was?” He nodded and the movement caused his cheek to rub against mine. “I’m not thick,” he continued to whisper. “I know what I’m risking by playing, but I have everything riding on the next fifteen months—on my body holding out. It’s my career,” he told me, voice barely audi...