Page 5 of Almost Ravaged

Until today.

I can barely wrap my head around today being the tipping point, but here we are. He told me to run. He wants to give chase. Now that I know where his head is at, the simmer between us feels so much more palpable and volatile.

I want him.

I want him in the simplest, carnal way one person can want another.

I want him more than I’ve wanted anyone or anything in my nearly eighteen years of life.

For the first time, I can admit the depth of my desire, because I’m now confident that Tytus wants me, too.

I’m lost in a whirlwind of hazy fantasies when my vest vibrates against my chest.

“There! It’s the girl.”

“Got her.”

Shit.

The two kids I showed mercy have spotted me. And they brought friends.

I rise to my feet, thighs burning. The center of my vest vibrates again.

Huffing, I take off at a sprint, weaving through the twists and turns of the arena. I have no set destination. No strategy or plan. I move quickly and erratically, keen on losing the kids on my tail.

With a glance over my shoulder, I confirm that they’ve dropped back. And when I’m satisfied I’ve lost them, I slow my speed.

Forcing air into my lungs, I look from side to side, seeking a new place to hide.

Distracted by my search, I’m startled when I slam into a large figure.

As I let out anumph, strong hands wrap around my upper arms. When I look up, I’m greeted by hooded onyx eyes and Tytus’s deeply satisfied smirk.

Chapter three

Sawyer

My heart pounds against my chest at a frenetic pace and my breaths come quickly. I’m too lost to my chaotic thoughts to be embarrassed. I’m too aware of his effect on me to pretend this isn’t happening.

On instinct, I pull back.

It’s stupid, my reaction. Because out of his grasp is the last place I want to be.

As if he knows, he tightens his grip. He brings his lips to my ear, the heat emanating off his body shrouding me like a warm blanket.

“Look at you, mon ange. I didn’t even have to chase you. You ran straight into my arms.”

My stomach flip-flops.

Mon ange.

He’s never called me that before.

And he sounds as pleased as I feel about our current predicament.

I tip my head back, giving him more of my weight, relishing the way his heart pounds against my back through our vests. The rhythm calls to me, plucking at my heartstrings and sparking every cell in my body to life until I’m buzzing with anticipation.

I’m so deeply affected by his proximity. By the way his fingers circle my wrists. By the way he stares at me through the dark, occasionally letting his gaze dip to my mouth, my neck, my heaving chest.