Wrong for You (Before You #3)(42)



“Two weeks for us. No strings. No promises, just us enjoying our time together.” She cocked her head to the side. “I like it. Let’s do this.”

And then he laughed. “Yes, Violet.” He brushed his warm, moist lips across hers. “Let’s do this.”





Chapter Seventeen




“Why are you making me get dressed again?” Violet asked as she rummaged through her drawers.

“It’s a surprise. Just put on anything. We’re going to be late.”

She tossed a t-shirt at him. “Do you know how hard it is to find something to wear in my hungover state, much less find something comfortable?”

He stepped behind her, circling his arms around her dainty waist. He loved her subtle, yet sexy curves and the way her long blonde hair reached the middle of her back. “A dress,” he whispered against her ear.

“What?” she said, two little lines making an appearance between her eyebrows as she looked at him over her shoulder.

He smoothed the lines. “Yes, a dress. No color coordination is necessary and it should be loose enough that it’s comfortable.”

“Ah.” She pushed his arms away as she leapt in the direction of her closet. “Did I ever tell you you’re brilliant?”

“No, but I’ll take all the praise you want to offer. I’m greedy like that.”

“I have a feeling you get more than your fair share of praise with or without mine.”

He nodded as he fingered a few dresses hanging in her closet. “Some,” he answered, his voice barely audible. He did get praise—praise from his fans and sometimes from music critics, but more often than not, it felt empty and unearned in his twisted mind.

“This one is perfect,” Violet said, pulling out a white shift dress with corded lace lining the bottom.

He eyed the dress and the triumphant smile on her sexy, yet innocent lips and cursed the surprise waiting for her at the Foundation. She was intoxicating in the best possible way and he couldn’t stop himself from sampling her at that moment even if her house were on fire.

Grabbing her hips, he pulled her against him, needing to be connected to her. “Let me help you get dressed,” he said, his voice quivering with longing. Something about this girl made him want a future filled with love, laughter, and the American dream.

She shook her head. “I’m good.”

Too bad. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. The possessive need to see her body again in the light of day roared through him. “Take this off,” he practically growled as he tore her t-shirt over her head, tossing it on the floor next to their feet. His eyes zeroed in on her naked breasts, completely exposed, just aching for his touch. His breath irregular, his fingertips traced her nipples before lowering his head and pulling one into his mouth. He had to taste her, just a quick nibble. They didn’t have time for much more, but that didn’t mean he didn’t intend to take advantage of the situation.

When her hands circled his shoulders, pulling him closer, he moved to the other nipple, giving it equal attention, flicking his tongue over the hard bud, wishing he’d worn his lip ring so he could run it along her sensitized flesh. “You taste amazing. Did I tell you that the other night?”

She shook her head, pulling his lips to hers. The instant his lips touched hers, he sucked her lower lip into his mouth, wanting to claim her and pull her inside of him in any way she’d allow. It was crazy, but the urgency surging through him was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Her tongue slipped into his mouth and he barely held back a groan. How could he have wanted to push her away? She was delicious and the way she melted into him, trusting him with her body and heart, made him want to throw her down on the bed, the surprise be damned. She was going to ruin him for anyone else and he was starting to think that wasn’t such a bad thing. Violet would be a hard act to follow and not just because he loved every inch of her body and her adorable dimples, but because she was beautiful inside and out.

With that thought, he pulled his lips from hers, taking in her dazed eyes and pleasure-drunk lips. As much as he was beginning to feel as though he wanted—no needed—Violet in his life, he didn’t know if it were possible, because like always, he had secrets. Secrets that would hurt her and rock her trust in him. Not telling her who he really was from the moment he met her would probably bite him in the ass, but he didn’t want to tell her yet. He liked the simplicity of being with her without the baggage of Chasing Ruin and his convoluted history.

Grabbing the dress from her hands, he slid it off the hanger and pulled it over her head. “You look beautiful,” he said as he kissed her on the cheek, loving that she let him take care of her. “You ready?”

“Yes, even though I don’t like the idea of leaving my house this afternoon. After last night, I thought I’d be entitled to a full day of rest.” She slipped on some gold flip-flops.

“You can rest. I’ll do the work.”

“Work? There’s work involved in this surprise?” she mockingly pouted. “I like this less and less by the minute.”

“You’ll love it.” He paused, his eyes caressing her and soaking her in. Now that he agreed to be with her for the next two weeks, he had every intention of enjoying every part of her while it lasted. He may be wrong for her in the long run, but in the short term, he’d give her everything she needed and more.

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