Page 107 of Hymns of the Broken

Jasper sent him in here?! What the…

Riot leans in just a little, bringing me out of my thoughts. “So…can I come in?”

I open the door wider to let him in, and close it quietly behind him. Suddenly, the room feels smaller, like the air itself is buzzing. Riot doesn’t say anything right away. He watches me… Every shiver, every shaky inhale. It should feel invasive. But I feel…seen.

He walks past me, moving to sit on the edge of my bed like he’s done it a hundred times. His tattooed forearms rest on his knees, lips twitching in thought.

I stand in front of him, and I can feel the space between us pulsing.

“Why did Jasper really send you?” I ask softly, eyes on my hands.

His voice is quiet, threaded with truth. “Because he knows I won’t stop wanting you just because he got there first.”

That makes my stomach flutter. And ache. “But what doyouwant, Riot?”

He looks at me then, eyes locking on mine with a look of raw honesty. “You.”

It’s one word, but it lands like a punch to the chest.

“I want to kiss you when you’re anxious and touch you when you’re overthinking.” He admits. “I want to make you forget all the ways this world made you feel small. Replace every shitty memory with one that ends in you moaning my name.”

Heat flushes down my spine, and every thought other than ’him’ disappears.

“And I want you to look at me the way you look at him. With that soft little ache in your eyes. Like maybe I matter too.”

I can’t help myself. I reach forhishand. Our fingers tangle slowly, hesitantly. He brings mine to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the inside of my wrist that sends shivers through me.

“And if I said I’m scared?” I whisper. “That I’m still trying to figure out if this is real—ifanyof it is real?”

He tugs me closer, so I’m standing between his legs now. His hands grip my hips, grounding me.

“Then I’ll prove it’s real,” Riot murmurs, eyes blazing up at me. “One day at a time. Starting now. I want you, Sawyer. Not because he wants you. Honestly, I’d be happier if he didn’t, and I had you all to myself, but I’ll take you anyway I can get you.”

His hands slip beneath my shirt, rough palms against my waist—unhurried, but possessive. He waits. Watching my face to make sure it’s okay.

When I say nothing, he leans in to kiss me. It’s deep and slow. His tongue slides against mine lazily, his other hand presses into my lower back to keep me anchored. My hands fist in his hair, yanking him closer without even thinking.

When he pulls back, his lips just barely grazing mine, he adds, “You can stop me whenever you want. But if you don’t…I’m not just staying the night. I’m claiming it—and you.”

I stare at him, pulse hammering, chest rising and falling like I just ran miles. My voice doesn’t shake when I say, “Then claim me.”

His eyes darken, but he doesn’t wait. He grabs me by the hips and pulls me straight into his lap in one smooth, commanding motion, like he’s been waiting forever for this moment. The way he looks at me makes my breath stutter—like I’m the only thing in his universe right now. His hands slide to my thighs, warm and steady as they guide me to straddle him fully. And then he kisses me. It’s slow and sinful.Hismouth molds to mine with aching precision; every sweep ofhistongue against mine is a dark promise that sinks under my skin and leaves me breathless. There’s no rush, no frenzy—just Riot pouring everything into each kiss, making me feel like I’m the only thing he’s ever wanted.

“You don’t know what you do to me,” he mutters against my lips. “Sitting here—on my lap, half-naked in another man’s shirt, but wet forme. Do you have any idea how fucking insane that makes me?”

I want him so badly. There isn’t any other thought in my head other than Riot. “Why don’t you show me?”

He moves beneath me, hips rolling up in a slow grind as he drags my body over his, making my breath catch. I can feel him—hard and thick, straining against his sweatpants, the heat of him searing straight through the thin fabric of my underwear. The friction is everything: torturous, delicious, a steady drag that has me gasping into his mouth.

His hands are everywhere at once—palming my ass, gripping my hips, sliding up under Jasper’s shirt like he can’t stand that I’m wearing it, like he wants to tear it off and claim every inch of skin as his own. His palms slide higher, cupping my breasts through the thin cotton, thumbs grazing over my nipples until I arch into him, desperate for more.

But just as the pace builds, Riot stills—holding me in place. One hand slips up, curling around my throat—gentle, commanding, a silent claim that shoots straight between my legs. He rests his forehead against mine, breath mingling with mine in the dark.

“Are you sure?” he whispers, voice raw, eyes searching mine. “Because all you have to do is say stop, and I’ll walk out that door. I mean it, Hellcat.”

I swallow hard, heat coiling deep in my belly. “I’m tired of stopping. I want you, Riot.” I whisper, voice shaking with need.

I grab the hem of Jasper’s shirt and pull it over my head in one quick motion, leaving me in nothing but a pair of black lace panties that hug my hips.