“I didn’t go anywhere,” she said.
“Could have fooled me.” He stroked his thumb across her lip, and she stared into his beautiful eyes. Even with the scar, he was a handsome man. Not like the boy next door, but slightly more dangerous, sexy even. “Tell me what happened.”
“I was just thinking about my mom, and she was never the nicest of people.”
“You’ve told me she didn’t mince her words.”
“Do you think parents are supposed to find their kids pretty?” she asked. “Not in a sexual way, but … I don’t know, supportive.”
“I don’t have any kids, Maddie.”
“I know. I know.” She laughed. “My mom would always tell me how fat and ugly I was.” She blew out a breath. “Well, I guess if anyone is going to tell you the truth, it’s going to be your parents.” She hated how pitiful she must sound.
Bull didn’t let her go. He continued to hold her cheek. She’d dropped her gaze down to his very naked chest. With the nightmare, she hadn’t even noticed he wasn’t wearing any clothes, and he was a sight to behold.
Her mother would be screaming from the rooftops if she saw him now. Ink covered every inch of his skin, and it looked so … spectacular. She could never get any tattoo because of her fear of needles, and in the past couple of weeks, she had more than enough to last her a lifetime.
“Your mother was a fucking asshole.”
“You shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.”
“If she was here, I’d tell her straight she wasn’t fit to be a parent.”
“You don’t have to say those kinds of things to me, Bull. I know I’m … me.” She frowned. “I think I’m tired. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Maddie, don’t believe the shit everyone tells you, okay? You’re beautiful and sexy.”
“My mom isn’t the only one who told me, Bull. You were there to see one of my dates conveniently not make it. I’ve been told more than once by people that I’m not beautiful. I’m not what men want—”
Before she could say anything more, Bull slammed his lips down on hers. Maddie stared at him, a little taken aback, but at the realization of how good his mouth felt on hers, she couldn’t help but close her eyes.
His tongue traced over her lips. The action took her by surprise, and she opened her mouth. Bull plundered inside, and she moaned, tasting him for what felt like the first time. She couldn’t touch him. Her good hand was on the bed, keeping her propped up.
Bull’s hand slowly moved behind her head, sinking into her hair. He gripped the length in his fist, and she gasped. It wasn’t in pain, but in pleasurable arousal. Her nipples pebbled and her pussy grew slick.
She had never been kissed like this before. Even the ones she shared with Bull didn’t begin to compare to this. She was on fire, and she didn’t want it to stop.
He nudged her to the bed, and she had no choice but to fall back.
Bull broke the kiss, pecking her on the lips one final time as he looked down at her. “You’re not what other men want because you are all mine, Maddie. You’re perfect for me and only me.”
“Why are you saying that?” she asked.
“It’s the truth, and you know it. I set your world on fire with a single kiss. Don’t you wonder what it would be like if you allowed yourself to fall for me?”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Let yourself fall. Trust me. I will catch you. I will always catch you.”
“I’m fat.”
“No, you’re curvy.” He swiped away the tear that fell. “And I love your fucking body, Maddie.” The hand on her face slowly moved down. He traced across her throat, stopping for a few seconds at her pulse before gliding down toward her breasts. She gasped as the tips of his fingers grazed across her tits.
The touch was so light at first, almost as if she imagined it.
They shouldn’t be doing this. She looked a mess. The bruises were still present on her face and her body, but his hands, they were like magic, setting her aflame.
“I can’t wait to have you completely naked beneath me, Maddie. I will show you how a real man deals with a woman like you.” He palmed her breast, and she gasped, arching up into his touch. “You’re so fucking untouched. I can’t believe how long I’ve waited for this.” He kissed her again at the same time he massaged her breast. “I want you so badly.”
She whimpered.
He growled. “Fuck. I can’t do this with you right now.”
If she was within her senses, she would completely understand why he couldn’t fuck her. His touch had sent her over the edge, and any sensible thought escaped her.
“Why not?” she asked.