Page 89 of Brutal Reign
“The Chandler thing,” I mutter.
“You’re going to have to be more specific.”
I furrow my brow, lips turning down in a frown. “Seriously, you’re gonna make me spell it out for you like we’re in fuckin’ kindergarten?”
She huffs out an annoyed breath, turning away like she’s going to leave, so I do the only logical thing I can think of. I lean forward and reach out to snatch her arm, yanking her down onto my lap before she can run.
“What are you doing?” she shrieks when her ass hits my thighs, squirming as I grab her hips and reposition her body until she’s straddling my waist.
“Just listen, alright?” I snarl, gripping her thighs to anchor her against me. “Don’t run away, justlisten.”
Drawing a deep breath, I try to recall all the things I wanted to say, piecing them together and forcing the words out while I’ve got her held captive. “I know you said you didn’t want us getting involved in your shit, but I can’t help it, alright?” I grit out. “I fucking care about you, River, so I’m not just gonna stand by and watch some bitch like Chandler mess with you and not do anything about it.”
“But it was okay when you were the one messing with me?” she scoffs, pressing her palms against my chest and pushing back.
“No, it wasn’t,” I growl, my frustration mounting as she tries to wrestle my hands off her thighs and wriggle out of my hold. “If I could go back and change things, you know I would.”
She seemingly gives up the fight, muscles slackening as she crosses her arms and blows a strand of hair out of her face. “Why’d you let me think you fucked her?”
“I didn’t,” I snap.
“Yes you did. You let her hang all over you, knowing that’s what I’d think,” Riv scowls.
“No, I mean I didn’t fuck her.”
“Well I know thatnow.”
I squint at her, brows drawing together in confusion. “Wait, are you mad about that, or me getting your contacts?”
She heaves an irritated sigh, trying in vain to shove off my lap again. Of course, I don’t let her. This could be my last shot, so she’s going to hear me out, whatever it takes.
“Will you fucking quit it?” I snarl. “I’m trying to talk here, but I can’t even think straight with you rubbing against my dick like that.”
River stills, as if it’s just occurred to her that she’s been grinding all over my junk. A little puff of air leaves her lips, hazel eyes rounding as they collide with mine.
“Yeah,” I grunt, squeezing my eyes closed and willing some of the blood to flow back up to my brain. “You know I’m not good at this stuff as it is, but it’s ten times harder with you on top of me.”
“Then let me go,” she huffs.
I open my eyes, meeting hers again. “Never gonna happen,” I murmur, flexing my grip on her thighs. “You’remine, Riv, and I’m not letting you go. Not again. I fucked up when we were kids, I keep on fucking up, but that doesn’t change how I feel aboutyou. I never should’ve made that pact with Ace, but when I did it, I was too stupid to see what was right in front of me.”
I blow out a shaky breath, rubbing my thumbs against her bare thighs and dropping my gaze to track the movement. “Can’t you see how right this feels?” I rasp, lifting my chin to lock eyes with her again. “It was always supposed to be this way. You and me. And Ace too, whatever, but the only thing that matters right now is this right here. You’re the only girl I’ve ever wanted, or gotten on my knees for, or fucking apologized to. You’re the best thing in my life. So will you stop fighting this and just bemine?”
The silence that falls between us is deafening. My heart slams against my ribs as I hold my breath, suddenly fucking terrified that she’s going to say no. That she’s going to reject our bond– rejectme– and there’s nothing I can do or say that’ll undo the damage that’s been done; no way to right the wrongs of the past.
River stares back at me, wetting her lips with her tongue before parting them and whispering, “Yes.”
I flinch, doing a double-take, sure I must’ve misheard her. “What?” I rasp.
She smirks as she reaches out to loop her arms around my neck, leaning in and bringing her face right in front of mine. “You gonna make me spell it out for you like we’re in fuckin’ kindergarten?”
A growl rumbles in my chest as I lunge forward, claiming that smart ass mouth of hers in a fierce kiss that’s sure to bruise our lips. Sparks ignite, singeing our skin as she returns it with equal fervor, matching my urgency. Her tongue slides against mine and I wrap an arm around her waist, sinking my other hand into the back of her hair to draw her in even closer. The bond between us hums in my chest as I own every inch of her mouth, giving all I have and taking everything she’s got.
Riv rocks her hips over my lap, the heat of her center riding the ridge of my cock while I groan against her lips, fighting theurge to rip her clothes off. It takes every shred of self-control left within me to break the kiss, chest heaving as I pull back to look into her eyes.
Mine, mine, mine…
She blinks at me expectantly and I clench my jaw, fighting back my baser urges. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna ask,” I grit out, knowing full well I’m gonna be in pain all night from the blue balls. If this helps bring us closer, it’ll be worth it, though. And when I do finally get inside her, I’m never gonna fucking leave.