Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

I would like to dedicate Binding 13 to anyone who’s ever had a dream they dared to chase with insatiable hunger and drive. This story is for you.

I once read somewhere that we mature with damage, not with age. If that’s the case, I was an old-age pensioner in the emotional stakes.

“Yeah,” I replied gruffly, feeling like I would promise all the fucking promises in the world just to make this girl feel better.

It mattered that, hours later, I was still thinking about her, wondering about her, and inevitably worrying about her. It mattered that she mattered when no one ever mattered to me before.

“Troubled. She seems troubled.” Well, shite. Trust me to fixate on the crazy.

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.

I liked the way she looked, the way she spoke, the way she carried herself. I liked a whole heap of things about her, and oddly enough, my liking her had nothing to do with what was under her clothes.

Shrugging sheepishly, he shook his head and grinned. “I’m a fair bit oversized.” No, he was perfect. God hadn’t made a single mistake with this particular boy.

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.

“Because you are sickeningly gorgeous.” “It’s the makeup,” I assured her, embarrassed. “It’s the girl,” Claire corrected as she slung an arm around my shoulder.

“You are love.” He sighed contently. “Stay with me.”