Read Me (Forget the Past, #2)

by Lauren Connolly

The massive stack of books hides the face of a god. A god like Hades. Beautiful, hard, and shrouded in the shadows of his hardcover stronghold. A being who knows only how to walk the world alone, scorning the help of others.

She has half of my books held hostage, so it’s not like I can leave without her. Should I tell her I’m completely willing to have her hold my body hostage too if she gets the urge?

If I got the chance to taste him, I’d probably act just as foolish as I did with my glass of bourbon.

Cats. Never clear about what they want, but will make sure to punish you if you don’t figure it out.

“I used you to escape an uncomfortable situation. I’m sorry.” He shrugs, eyes still not meeting mine. “Use me any time.”

“Only give me real smiles. If you’re sad, frown at me. If you’re mad, scowl.”

“Do you want a hug?” A Cole Allemand hug? Does such a thing even exist? “Are you offering a hug? You don’t seem like a hugger.” “I’m not.” “Well, I don’t want a hug full of lies.” I cross my arms, knowing that I’m being obstinate. But that’s what this day does to me. Cole’s mouth twitches. “I’m not a hugger. But I’d like to hug you.”

There’s a pressure on the top of my head, and I realize Cole is resting his chin on me. Like he has no immediate plans to end this embrace.

“Black works for me today,” I repeat. “But when I’m happy again—and I will be—I won’t be able to stop myself.” “From doing what?” he murmurs, his stare seeming to catch on my mouth. “From trying to paint you in colors.”

How is it that she’s reliving the worst day of her life and still has some emotional capacity to worry about my feelings? I want to tell her to be selfish. To use me.

Something like fear. I want her safe. I want her happy. I want her. For now though, I’ll take these bits she’s willing to give.

Despite this being the anniversary of the worst day of my life, Cole Allemand has found a way to make me just a little bit less miserable.

No. No no no. This cannot be allowed. A sexy tattooed man cannot work with cute animals all day. And not just work with them.

I want him. And I want to stop pretending that I don’t. I can only lie to myself about so many things before my brain explodes. So, trying to make things clearer for us both, I let my hands creep around his trim waist until my fingers span wide on his back. Muscles roll and tense under the thin fabric of his shirt.

Cole Allemand’s mouth is on me, and I might die.

He’s gentle, and I’m surprised to realize I want Cole to be rough. I want to feel ravished. Consumed. Like I’m the air his lungs need to breathe.

“You don’t need a man. They are practically pointless.”

I’ve been allowing myself forbidden fantasies about Cole for months, and now his fingers are still inside me!

“Hey, babe.” I keep my voice mildly curious. “What’re those for?” Summer stares at her hands, then back up at me, her expression completely baffled. “I don’t know!”

“He’s not warm and fuzzy. But if you’re one of the people he cares about, I’d say you’re lucky.” Dash shrugs, then leans back over the engine.

There’s a deliciously sharp sting on my shoulder paired with her hips rocking. She bit me.

But even the most intelligent women can be fooled. So Cole and I, we’re together. For now. And one day we won’t be. And I’ll be the one to choose that day.

She is perfection. I don’t deserve her. Because I’m selfish, I’ll never tell her that.

Summer leans in close, her lips brushing my ear. “Yes. You are. You’re going to read them to me while you’re naked, and I’m licking your tattoos. Because I’m the luckiest girl in the world, and I want a taste of The Inked Dragon.” Then she bites my ear lobe, and I almost come on the spot.

“And remember, just because someone doesn’t have a home, doesn’t mean they don’t have a voice.”

Because I love Summer Pierce. I think I’ve loved her for months. She’s what I want forever. But does she want me? For now. I think she wants me for now. But that’s not near good enough.

“Why did I lie, you ask? I lied because I am a monster and you are perfection. I lied because I am selfish, and I want you. I lied because the truth of me is a dark twisted mass. I lied because I am terrified. Terrified of life without you in it. I am desperate for you, and I believed lies were the only way to keep you from leaving. If I had known that truth was the key to you, I would have shared every detail of my pathetic existence.”