The Lies Between Us (The Devil's Dust #4)(9)

“Um, are you okay?” I ask softly. He lowers his head and runs his hand back and forth through his hair. My thighs clench from the sight of him. It’s dark out here—the only light is from the street lamp from above, casting the meanest shadow over him—but it makes him that much more appealing to me. He looks damaged, broken like me.

Lip slowly raises his head and tilts his chin upward. He has a look in his eyes that is hungry, primal. I swallow the lump in my throat, and my lips part to allow my harsh breathing to escape. I want him, even though I know I shouldn’t. I know the timing is wrong, and I know a man like him can’t love a woman. But it’s not stopping me from craving him.

“Fuck, you’re sexy,” he breathes heavily. His eyes tear into my soul, unlocking things I couldn’t yet figure out. He steps forward and cups the back of my neck. “Do you know that?” Glancing up under my lashes at him, I shrug. I’d never call myself sexy, average at most. Growing up, I was nothing but bullied, told how I was a geek and ugly. After hearing it for so long, you start to believe it. His eyes narrow with confusion as he looks me over. “You have no clue how attractive you are,” he mutters as if he can’t believe it. I inhale a shaky breath through my nose, my gaze never leaving his. His gorgeous eyes burn a trail of desire along my skin as he looks me over. “You have the eyes of a saint, but the body of a f*cking temptress, Cherry.” My eyes go heavy and my body rushes with adrenaline, making me feel drunk. His eyes fall to my lips, and my chest constricts. I want to pull away and break this spell I’m under, but I don’t move, don’t do anything. “I don’t know if I should kiss those sugar lips or bite them.” My lips suddenly ache with the urge to be tasted by him, to see if he tastes as dangerous as he looks. My gaze trails from his dark eyes to his lips. I bet he tastes like sex and sin.

As if he read my mind, he slowly lowers his head toward me, as if he’s scared I might pull away. I should turn my head away, but I don’t want to. When he figures out I’m not going anywhere, his lips claim mine with a hard demand, his tongue seeking entry and tasting me with a sense of urgency. I moan into his mouth, expelling the hurt and distress I’ve kept hinged within for months. My fingers tangle into his hair as my legs try to climb him, wanting to become one with his strong build. Our mouths explore each other’s, taking and offering in a dance of chaos. His calloused hands grab at my ass, his touch foreign and rough.

He tastes like beer and mint, a flavor that is toxic to my resistance. He breathes in my pain and fills me with a sense of hope. A hope that not all men are *s, and maybe, just maybe Lip is different. He pulls away slowly, nipping on my bottom lip.

“You scared?” he questions, his words feathering against my swollen mouth. My lips still feeling like his are devouring them, fluttering with phantom kisses. I keep my eyes closed for a second longer, wanting to stay in this state of bliss.

I thought about lying to Lip and telling him I wasn’t scared at all, but the way he’s smirking, he already knows I’m nervous. Being around a bunch of dangerous bikers, criminals who were known killers around the area, is enough to make anyone sweat. But what really scares me is the way I want Lip so badly, the way my thoughts of realism succumb to his confidence and aura of safety. He grasps the nape of my neck and kisses my lips softly, holding his against mine a second longer than needed.

“I got you, Cherry,” he whispers. I close my eyes and inhale his scent as I soak in his words. I don’t know what they mean, but I don’t f*cking care. I was literally just kissed stupid seconds ago, and the way my body warms with knowing that I’m safe… I can barely breathe.

He grabs my hand, and we sit down against the brick of the building. Heat wafts off it from the sun bearing down on it all day.

“You got a man?” he asks, and I look down at the gravel and laugh.

“You ask after you kiss me senseless?” His lip curls into an arrogant smile. “No, no man. What about you? Any girlfriend or kids?” I question.

Lip scoffs. “No woman, and f*ck no to kids.” He leans his head back against the wall. I laugh at how his tone dipped at the last part, but my fingers dig into my palm with unease at the same time.

“I’m serious. I can’t have kids. I would make a shitty dad. They’re a deal-breaker for me.” I nod, unsure what to say, and look up at the night sky.

“You don’t have kids, do you?” I can feel him staring at the side of my head, but I don’t take my eyes from the stars. I just keep looking into the dark abyss.

“Does it matter?” I whisper. “I’m alone now, and I will be for who knows how long.” Lip doesn’t reply, and I look over at him. His brow is lifted and his face is hard.

“Someone did a number on you, didn’t they?” Lip looks me over, and I pull my gaze from his before I see that same kind of sympathetic expression cross his face.

“Someone taught me that if you want to live, you have to have patience.” I exhale loudly, closing my eyes to fight the tears. Lip grabs my hand and stands, pulling me with him.

“Come on. Let’s go get a drink or something.”

I smile, relieved he isn’t going to push any further about me having kids.


LIP

I watch Cherry closely as she searches the crowd in the club. She seems nervous, but more curious than anything. I take another pull on my beer and drape my arm across her shoulders, my fingertips nearly brushing the top of her tits. I sweep my eyes up her frame, landing on her chest. Man, she’s got a nice rack. She is so small standing next to me; it makes me wonder how small she would feel under me naked.