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“Yes, ma’am.”

“We should get Max to bed, too,” I say.

“I’ll help you,” Scar says.

“But I’m not sleepy!” Max protests.

“Too much sugar too late,” Reaper grumbles.

“Maybe so, but it’s time to turn in. Come on, Max. I’ll read you a bedtime story,” Scar says.

We take Max into his room, and after making sure he’s cleaned up and has brushed his teeth, Scar tucks him into bed. We sit on the end of the bed beside each other. Scar holds a children’s book in his lap and reads most of the book out loud before Max finally falls asleep. Then he puts his finger over his lips and takes my hand. We turn on a nightlight before leaving the room.

Once we’re alone in the hall, my heartbeat increases. Scar looks at me like he wants to devour me, but there’s also hesitation in his eyes. I’m tempted to grab his hand and take him into my bedroom, but I linger too long, and the moment passes.

“Goodnight, Julia.” His gaze drops to my lips. I wait for him to kiss me, but it doesn’t happen. I think he wants to kiss me, and I definitely want him to, but neither of us makes a move. I don’t know if we don’t want it enough or if we want it too much.

“Goodnight, Scar.”

I turn and start to walk away. He grabs my arm and spins me toward him. He slides his hands into my hair and pulls me close. When our lips meet, I moan. He wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me against him. He’s hard in all the right places. I kiss him back with abandon, tangling my tongue with his, savoring the sweet taste of sugar and chocolate.

We slowly walk back toward his bedroom door, but the moment his back hits it, he stops. He gives me one last soft kiss before gazing down at me. “I want you in my bed, Julia. But being with me at night is dangerous. I don’t want to risk hurting you again.”

“I want to be with you.”

“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into,” he warns.

“We could just talk.” I’m grasping at straws, willing to do anything to get him to take me to bed with him.

“We could.” His gaze rakes down my body. “But will we?”

“No.” I give him a sexy smile.

“Exactly. Get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow.” He kisses my forehead before turning me away from him and patting my ass to get me moving.

As I walk away, I glance over my shoulder. He’s watching me so intently that I’m tempted to run back and throw myself into his arms. But he’s probably right. If he has another nightmare, then there’s a good chance he’ll hurt me, and I can’t take any risks right now. The fact that I’m even considering risking my life to be with him is insane. But that’s how messed up I am. He’s making me crazy. I’ve never wanted anyone like this, and I’m willing to do almost anything to be with him. It’s so unlike me. I don’t understand what’s going on between us, but maybe things will be clearer in the morning.

Sleep doesn’t come easily. I toss and turn, waiting for the fire he started to die down, but it’s useless. I get out of bed and throw on a robe, wrapping the ties tightly around my waist before heading into the hall. I know I shouldn’t be wandering around, especially with all the men in the house, but I can’t sleep. Maybe some tea will help.

As I approach Scar’s door, it swings open. I gasp. He’s standing in a low-slung pair of silky pajama pants and nothing else. His chest is magnificent. Hard lines carve out six-pack abs. A deep V inverts from his hipbones toward his cock. Desire flares, and all I can think about is wrapping my hands around his rigid length.

“Get in here.” He grabs my arm and pulls me into his room, closing the door and locking it behind him. When his smoldering gaze lands on me, everything inside me turns molten. He stalks toward me, stealing my breath with his unmasked desire. He hasn’t even touched me, but he’s completely stripped me of my resolve to stay away from him. I can’t believe I ever thought I could. And now, I know I’m in all kinds of trouble.

Chapter 11: Scar

Torrid images of our entwined bodies come fast and hot into my mind. Julia’s dirty fantasies overwhelm my senses. All I want to do is throw her on the bed and bury my cock in her sweet little pussy. Monstrous urges threaten to steal what little control I have over my raging desire for her. She has no idea how much I need to be inside her, but she’s going to figure it out quickly.

“I just wanted—”

“I know exactly what you want,” I cut her off and back her into the nearest wall. “And I’m going to give it to you.”

She gasps as I press her against the wall. Her pupils dilate and darken with carnal need. We come together like fire and ice. She melts into me while I burn with salacious heat. I grab her ass and lift her, and she wraps her legs around my waist, grinding her pussy against my cock. Her wet, hot center melts against the thin pants I’m wearing. Every delicious curve molds to my hard places. We’re as close as we can get with all these damn clothes on.

I hold her against the wall with my hips, then use my hands to pull her robe open. I shove the fabric out of the way and capture one turgid nipple between my teeth. I bite lightly, loving the way she cries out.

“Everyone will hear you,” I murmur against her nipple.

“I don’t care,” comes her breathy response.