The fire simmering in my blood leaches into my voice. “Hana does not belong to you.”

  It’s a thinly veiled warning, and silence lingers between us on the line.

  “Interesting.” An evil grin is in his voice, and his one word alarms me more than a sniper’s bullet.

  “Scar?” I hit the End button at the sound of her voice.

  Returning the phone quickly to the metal box, I place it behind the books and shove the key in my pocket.

  “Hana?” I step into the hall and close the door.

  Our eyes meet, and my chest tightens.

  Seeing her for the first time since this morning hits me hard. She’s been on my mind, but after speaking to Simon, her presence in my kitchen with her blue eyes wide, looking so small and sweet and vulnerable, every protective urge in my body roars to life.

  Adrenaline is in my veins, and I close the space between us. She looks at me with so much trust, I’m ready to kill anyone who tries to hurt her.

  Taking a beat, I swallow the ferocity under my skin and gentle my tone. “You okay, baby girl?”

  “I’m not a baby.” Her voice breaks as she steps into my arms.

  Warmth replaces the adrenaline in my blood, and I surround her with my embrace. Her cheek is against my chest, and I hold her, giving her my strength, willing her to have as much as she needs.

  “You’re right. You’re not a baby.” Lowering my face, I press my lips to the top of her head, inhaling her fresh scent of flowers and sugar. “You’re still a lot younger than me.”

  Moving her head against my chest, her defiance makes me smile. “I’ve lived so much already.”

  Closing my eyes, it’s true. “I won’t treat you like a baby.”

  Stepping back, she looks up at me. Mist shimmers in her eyes, and I reach out to slide my thumb over her smooth, ivory cheek. Her skin is porcelain, absolutely flawless–on the outside.

  “Can I sleep here again?”

  “You can sleep here anytime you need to.”

  Her cheeks relax, and her full lips press into a smile. “In that case, I’ll sleep here every night.”

  Satisfaction is in my chest, and I nod. “Whatever my lady needs.”

  “My Viking prince.” She gives me a little wink, but my smile darkens.

  I’m no prince.

  Hana is curled up in my bed looking at her phone when I enter the room, showered and with my teeth brushed. We crossed a bridge last night, but when I touched her, it went up in smoke. I don’t feel right charging back in again, as much as my body hungers for her.

  Blue eyes flicker to me when I get closer, and I’m gratified by the way they widen then darken with interest.

  I’m in thin gray PJ pants, no shirt, and I do my best to sound neutral, not like I’m ready to devour her in those tiny shorts and thin cotton tank that does little to hide her small breasts and peaked nipples.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay.” Her voice is quiet, and her eyes track my movements. “How are you feeling?”

  Sliding between the sheets, I lean on the pillows propped against the headboard facing her. “I feel like you’re in my bed. I want to touch you, but I want you to feel safe more than anything.”

  Blinking down, her pouty bottom lip disappears into her mouth. Discarding her phone, she puts her small hand in mine, lifting it to her face and sliding her cheek against it.

  “From the first day we met, I knew you would keep me safe. It’s like my own body has betrayed me by not trusting you.”

  Turning my hand, I cup her jaw with my palm. She’s so beautiful, and the demons of my past are so much closer than they’ve ever been.

  “Your body will protect you.” I remove my filthy hand from hers. “I’m not a good guy.”

  She slides her palm over my chest, higher to cup my neck. “I’m not a good girl. I don’t know your past, but I know you’re a good person. Only a good man would do all you've done for me, expecting nothing in return.”

  Reaching out to kill the light, I slide lower in the smooth sheets. She moves closer, placing her cheek on my chest and wrapping her arm around my waist.

  Lifting her small hand in mine, I kiss her knuckles. “Tell me about that night.”

  Her chin dips, and her fingers tighten around mine. I know she knows what I’m talking about, and with a deep exhale, she begins the story.

  “When Blake was sent to boarding school, Debbie was my only real friend. Of course, I had other friends–Trip and Rainey. Natasha, but she was always competing with me. So it was Debbie and me.” She pauses, and I slide my hand to her shoulder, holding her. “But Debbie wasn’t Blake. Blake would never have done the things Debbie and I did.”

  I gaze out the window into the moonless night. “What did you do?”

  A soft sigh. “I don’t remember.”

  Why does she say that? “Are you afraid to tell me, or do you really not remember?”

  She hesitates, silent, and the scree of the cicadas fills the silence between us. Spring is coming, new life, rebirth. Hope attempting to bud in my chest–what is she doing to me?

  When she speaks, her voice is traced with guilt or maybe it’s shame. “Debbie and I would take turns roofieing each other.”

  My jaw clenches, but I hold judgment. “How old were you?”

  “Sixteen…” Her voice lowers when she confesses. “Fifteen.”

  Closing my eyes, a pit is in my stomach. “Why would you do that?”

  “I don’t know why Debbie did it. I remember I felt free, like I could do what I wanted and fuck everyone who had a problem with it. I was so stupid.”

  “You were angry.”

  “Maybe. We said we did it to be wild, to laugh at what we did when we were high and the way people responded to us.”

  “You could’ve been arrested.”

  “We were careful. We’d watch out for each other, but one night we were separated. That’s when it happened.”

  She hesitates, but this is where we need to be. This is where I’ll get answers.

  Still, I proceed with caution. “Did anyone else know you did this?”

  “Of course, Trip knew.” She hesitates, thinking. “Maybe Natasha, but she and I had stopped speaking by that time. Greg was around, but I don’t know how much Debbie told him or how much he cared. He never seemed interested in me. He was always talking to Blake.”

  I’m making mental notes while at the same time, holding her close. My reckless girl, so broken and damaged, so angry, fighting her pain and searching for meaning.

  “Tell me about the night you were separated.”

  She sniffs a deep breath. “It’s only been coming back recently and only in flashes, but I’m sure some of them are real memories.”

  “Tell me about the flashes.”

  “I’m in a dark room–one of those rooms in the back of Gibson’s.” I know the ones she means. “A group of old men is there, and one is on his knees in front of me.”

  She shivers, and I lift my other arm to hold her closer. My palm is on her back, and I slide it up and down. “It’s okay. You’re safe with me–it’s a memory. It can’t hurt you now.”

  Her chin bobs, and she clears her throat. “I don’t know how much of this is true. Blake gets angry when I say I don’t remember, but I’m really not sure–”

  “I’m not angry.” I give her another squeeze, and the tension slowly eases from her body.

  She trusts me.

  “So the man at my feet would touch me the way Victor would, while the others watched.” Her voice goes quiet as if she’s embarrassed. “He never did more, because he said I wasn’t his. He said I had to be intact.”

  Her voice thickens, and she moves her hand from mine to her face. Whispering, she continues. “I didn’t want to respond to his touch, but I couldn’t help it. He said it was because I liked it.” Warm tears are on my chest. “But I didn’t like it.”

  Fury blazes in my chest, and closing my eyes, I breathe slowly. Inhale, exhale…

  Again, I think the way he died was too good for him.

  “You are not filthy.” My voice is throaty. “Your body responded the way it did because you’re human. You were abused.”

  Her knees rise, and she cuddles closer at my side, wrapping her arm around my waist. “In the darkroom, I remembered that night. Victor was there. He was lying on the floor at my feet… The voice said I killed him.”

  Silence wraps around us, and her breath is hesitant. She’s so vulnerable.

  I don’t want to push her, but very gently I urge, “Whose voice?”

  “I don’t know.” She sounds so tired.

  “You didn’t kill him, Hana.”

  “You don’t know that.” Her voice breaks.

  “I know.” Another warm hug. “Sleep now, angel. You’re safe with me. I will always keep you safe.”

  I might not be a prince, but that’s a promise I can keep.

  13

  Hana

  Sleep surrounds me like a long lost friend, a warm blanket, soft and comforting. Scar’s strength radiates into my body, and talking to him about my past actually helps me put away what happened. It’s separate from me now; it can’t hurt me anymore.

  In his arms, the voices lurking in the shadows, the ones that make me feel so gross, the ones that say I’m worthless, grow smaller until they disappear, puffs of smoke driven away in the wind.

  I will always keep you safe… His words are warm liquid in my veins.

  He will keep that promise, and the more I’m around him, the more pieces of my heart he steals.

  Lying on his side facing me, his arms encircle me, defending me against the bad. His eyes are closed, and his chest is at my cheek. Clean soap and warm man-scent flood my senses.

  I carefully slide out of his embrace so I can see him. With the light of dawn growing at the edge of the horizon, his straight nose, high cheekbones, and square jaw are cast in a golden softness. He says he’s no prince, but he certainly looks noble with sleep gentling his features.

  He treats me with so much care, but I have the distinct feeling I might give him care as well. When we’re together, he smiles–I actually heard him chuckle once. The memory warms my heart.

  He’s utterly breathtaking, a bit terrifying, and completely gorgeous.

  And I want him so much.

  My mind returns to yesterday morning, and our sexy wake up. He was mine for a little while, before it all went to hell. I want him to be mine again.

  Taking the cup off the bedside table, I sip fresh water, then I lean forward and press my lips to his strong brow. Feathering my kisses lower, I touch his cheek, and he exhales a soft noise. I slide closer, and I’m pleased to notice he’s hard and ready for me.

  Reaching down, I slide my hand over his impressive bulge. He wakes at my touch, a large hand moving to cover mine.

  “What are you doing, Hana?” His voice is thick with sleep–or is it desire?

  I’m pretty certain he still wants me. “I want to be with you. Would you want to be with someone like me? After what I told you?”

  His brow softens, and he pulls me beneath him, holding me down and bracing his masculine frame on his elbows. “What are you talking about?”

  I lift my hands to his broad shoulders, studying my pale skin against his dark, inked muscles. “I’ve done stupid things. I’ve made bad choices.” Regret pinches my stomach. “I’m nothing to be proud of, but I’m loyal. My love is true.”

  “Any man would be lucky to have your love, but I’m not any man. I’ve done things…”

  Every beat of my heart fills me with longing. He’s holding me down, and it feels so good.

  Blinking fast, I meet his wolf eyes. “Maybe we can make something better together?”

  Touching his sexy square jaw, I lift my lips to his. He doesn’t pull away or tell me to stop. He lowers his face to mine, and our mouths open. Our tongues slide together, and heat blooms between my thighs.

  His mouth moves mine, drawing me higher as a bubble of desire rises in my chest. His cock is steel pressing into my stomach, and I exhale a soft moan when he moves his kisses into my hair, grazing my ear, his beard scuffing my neck.

  He pauses, and I hear the tension in his voice. “Is this too much?”

  Lifting my legs, I wrap them around his waist. “It’s not enough. I want you inside me. Please…”

  Once more our eyes meet, and his simmer with barely restrained desire. “I don’t want to hurt you, angel.”

  “I believe you.” Reaching up, I pull his lips to mine. I want him so much.

  He lifts his torso, catching the hem of my tank top. I arch my back and help him slide it over my head. His eyes land on my bare breasts and linger. One large hand cups the side, and I feel self-conscious.

  I lift my arms to cover my nudity, but he stops me, catching my wrist and taking it to his lips for a kiss. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “Not too thin?”

  A rare grin curls his mouth, and he shakes his head. “You’re always so beautiful to me.”

  Lowering his face, he pulls a hard nipple into his mouth, sliding his teeth across the sensitive peak then flickering his tongue against it quickly.

  My back arches, and I exhale a Yes…

  I want more–all of him. An ache throbs between my legs, and I know it can only be filled by him.

  Fumbling my hands to his waist, I push against the cotton pants he wears to sleep. His hands cover mine, and he pauses once more. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” I’m nodding impatiently, squirming beneath him as tendrils of orgasm curl in my thighs, centering in my core. “Yes…”

  I’m chanting as he discards his pants quickly, reaching for a condom from the side drawer. Licking my lips, I watch as he rolls it on, thinking how I had that sexy cock in my mouth yesterday. I remember the sounds he made when he came, and I want him inside me, making them again.

  His warm palm slides up my thigh, holding my ass, and his eyes are focused on guiding the tip into my glistening core. I have no idea how this will feel. I know from the stories it will hurt, and I also know it will get better.

  A fish is trapped in my stomach, and it’s flipping wildly as his dick nudges, pressing its way into my body. It’s soft and insistent, and since I didn’t tell him, he doesn’t know to go slow.

  Spreading his chest over mine, with one swift thrust, he tears through my virginity, and my eyes go wide. It hurts like a motherfucker.

  “Oh, shit!” I gasp as my fingers curl against his shoulders, nails breaking the skin.

  He freezes. His head lifts, and he doesn’t move.

  His eyes hold mine, and his brow furrows. “What’s wrong?”

  I’m blinking fast, doing my best to breathe through the sensation of tearing skin. “I didn’t expect it to hurt so much.”

  “Is this your first time?” Confusion is in his deep voice, and he holds still, not moving his massively erect cock seated fully inside my core.

  I force my fingers to unfurl. I want this experience, this memory with him. I want to be his forever. “You’re my first… this way.”

  “Oh, fuck.” He lowers his face again, and I feel him start to withdraw.

  “No.” Tightening my legs around his waist, I hold us together. “Please. I want this. I want you to be my first. I want this memory to be yours.”

  Cupping his cheeks with my palms, I guide our lips together again. I move my hips and his dick slides into me again. The pain has eased, and I want him more than ever.

  Strong arms wrap around my waist, and he pulls me tighter against his chest. “You still want to do this?”

  “Yes.” I wrap my arms around his shoulders.

  “I need to move.”

  Closing my eyes, I nod, molding my naked body completely with his. “Okay.”

  The space between my thighs no longer feels torn. It doesn’t feel like much of anything. Adjusting my hips, I try to see if it will hurt again when he starts to move.

  “Fuck, Hana.” He groans, and a shudder moves through his body. “You’re killing me.”

  “I’m sorry.” I have no idea what I’m doing, since this is my first time. I only know that when his hips rock this time, it’s a new sensation. “Oh…” I gasp, squeezing my thighs around his waist.

  “Am I hurting you?” He sounds like he’s the one in pain.

  “No…” I clutch his shoulders with my eyes squeezed shut. “Keep doing that.”

  It feels like ridges moving against my insides, awakening parts of me I didn’t know existed.

  “Fuck me,” he groans as his hips pick up speed. “You feel too good.”

  “What is that?” I gasp as his cock hits deeper.

  Something he’s doing touches a part of me I don’t recognize. It provokes an urgent need, pleasure almost like I need to pee or I’m going to burst involuntarily into operatic singing.

  “Fuck, it’s so good.” His mouth covers mine in a consuming kiss.

  My eyes close, and my mind zeroes in on the place where we’re joined. His cock drives faster, deeper, hitting that spot, sending bursts of sensation all the way to my toes.

  This new orgasm is different. It climbs into my lower belly, provoking me to pump my thighs. I’m riding him as he’s thrusting into me.

  Our mouths break apart, and my back arches as I let go with a loud moan. His large hand cups my ass, drawing me closer to his hips and he goes even deeper, impossibly deep, then he holds with a sexy, low groan.

  Wrapping my arms around him, I press my cheek to his skin as his cock pulses, as I feel him finish with a shudder. His hand slides from under my ass to my lower back, and we hold each other so close.

  Gradually, our breathing slows to normal. My eyes are hazy, and I’m wrapped around his long frame like a vine. I never want to let him go, but he moves, once again kissing my shoulder, my neck, lifting his face to meet my gaze.

  Now his expression is completely relaxed. He’s different than I’ve ever seen him–not angry or guarded, but curious and open. “Why didn’t you tell me you were a virgin?”

  “Was I?” My brow furrows. “I didn’t know if I was or not.”