Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, #1)

by Chloe Walsh

But it was those wild eyes that really struck me, and I had this crazy urge to google eye color charts just so I could figure out the fucking color blue in her eyes.

“Are you warm enough? Should I get you a blanket or something?” “I’m…” She paused and glanced down at her knees. Releasing a small sigh, she looked back to my face and said, “I’m actually hot.” “Completely fucking accurate assessment.”

“I’m not picky about genres. I just have to like the blurb. If the back of the book can suck me in, then I’m sold.”

“What happened?” he demanded, glaring down at me. “Who the fuck made you cry?”

“Give me a name,” Johnny growled, dropping his hands to his hips. “And I’ll take care of it.” “What—no! I’m grand,” I quickly replied. “I have allergies.” “Me too. To assholes and bullshit,” Johnny snarled. “Now, tell me who made you cry and I’ll fix it.”

Because somewhere deep down inside of me, I felt like she knew me. Like she could save me?

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

Without meaning to or even trying, Shannon soaked up every sliver of my attention. It wasn’t a healthy feeling, but it was an addictive one.

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

“Just tell me who’s hurting you and I’ll make it go away.”

“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.”

I was exhausted from running away, and somewhere deep inside the back of my mind, I wondered if this boy was the one to anchor me.

Whatever she needed from me, I was more than willing to provide. That was a sobering thought.

“I like a lot of stuff,” I told her. You, most of all.

“You would do that for me?” she asked, voice soft. I would do pretty much anything for you.

Something inside of this boy called to me. I had no idea what that something was, but it made me brave. It made me want to step out of my comfort zone and help him—even if helping him meant doing the wrong thing.

“Because when I’m with you, I feel…” “You feel?” “Safe, okay?” I strangled out. “When you’re around, I feel safe.”

The sheer depth of my feelings for him was unhealthy. The adoration, the lust, the downright infatuation I had for him…it was insanity. I had never felt this much. I had never felt so consumed.

I wanted to fight all her battles. I wanted to give her all her smiles and make her laugh and snatch her away from the rest of the world and keep her all to myself. I just wanted her. For keeps.

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

“Who’s making you sad?” he asked then, voice slurred and sleepy. “Tell me, baby.”

“Who’s hurting you, baby?” he slurred sleepily. He yawned loudly and then sighed. “I’ll fix it.”