It Kills Me (Betrayal, #1)

by Penelope Sky

“You want a man who isn’t afraid to say what he thinks, even if it conflicts with your beliefs. He seems like someone who will choose the path of silence rather than conflict because it’s not worth the effort—which means he doesn’t think he, himself, is worth the effort.

You deserve a man who takes care of you and everything else, even though he knows you can do it yourself.

“But I want you to have a man who treats you the way I treat you. Loves you the way I love you. I’ve done everything I can to prove my love for you is unconditional. I’ve sacrificed so much for you, but I’ve done that happily because you’re the single most important thing to me…and I’m pretty sure you’ve never had to question that.”

“You should never have to question him, sweetheart. When you aren’t in the room, you know his eyes aren’t where they shouldn’t be. That whenever you text him, he’ll always respond, that you’re always his top priority. You never have to wonder where he is or what he’s doing because he doesn’t lie, and he keeps his word to you. Even if he never tells you he loves you, you would know that he does. That’s what I want for you. And Ryan isn’t it.”

The banter we have…it’s sexy.”

“I think life is more than a piece of art on the wall. It’s about living in the moment, not staring at someone else’s moment.”

“Baby, this seat is reserved—for you.”

“I have obligations tonight. But tomorrow night, I’m coming to your place. You’re going to cook me dinner then come on my face. Any questions?”

That was the moment I knew we would never be anything more than…this. A secret. A dirty, fucking secret.

I’d wanted her the moment I’d laid eyes on her, but I’d never imagined I would want her even more after I’d had her. The hit was supposed to cure the itch, but it only ignited a fiery addiction.

“I’m not really the kind of person to sneak around⁠—” “Neither am I. But I’m not letting you go.” The stare he gave was potent, all-consuming, powerful. “No fucking way. You’ve stood by my side when everyone else turned their fucking backs on me.” He shook his head. “I’m not letting you go.”

“But if I had to put a label on it…” He sat with his forearms resting on his thighs, massaging his big knuckles with his large fingers. “I’d say you’re my lady.”

Now I’m a full-blown addict.”

“Never judge a book by its cover.”