Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

He must be able to sense my desire because a moment later, the soft look in his eyes is replaced with darkness, and I can feel his walls coming back up. Why is he shutting me out?

“Let’s get you to bed. You’re still healing, and being up in the middle of the night isn’t going to help you heal any faster.”

“I had a nightmare,” I announce, trying to direct the attention away from us. He drops his hand from my cheek and takes my hand into his instead. Without a word, he leads me back to the bed. He tucks us both beneath the covers, but not before pulling me into his side. His scent surrounds me, encompassing my entire body in a blanket of warmth. Snuggled deep in his arms, I feel safe, cherished, and not as broken as I felt earlier.

Quinton doesn’t ask what my nightmare was about, and I don’t know that I’d have the strength to recite it to him anyway. Right before I fall asleep, when my eyes are growing heavy, and the warmth of his body around me is doing funny things to my mind, I feel him press his lips to my ear and whisper, “I’ll protect you from everyone and everything, no matter what. Always remember that.”

And even though I shouldn’t, I believe him because Quinton and I are so much more than enemies, so much more than the darkness and despair we share. We can both deny it all we want, but this has brought us closer, and I have no doubt Quinton will kill for me again and again.

8

QUINTON

I stay up all night, unable to let myself close my eyes any longer than the split second it takes me to blink. Aspen’s warm body is sprawled out on top of mine, and my arms are wrapped around her torso, holding her in place.

Her head is on my chest with her cheek pressed against my bare skin. Her eyes are closed, and her face is relaxed, making her look innocent and peaceful. As if fate is laughing at us, her body molds to mine perfectly, fitting together like two missing puzzle pieces.

I wish we could stay like this forever, sealed in a bubble, hiding from the world where nothing can touch us. Tightening my arms, I draw her to me even closer, not wanting to think about what I have to do when she wakes up.

The thought of hurting her has my stomach in knots, but this is the best way. I have to push her away, whether I want to or not. Being with her puts my mother and sister in danger, and I can’t let that happen.

My brain hurts from thinking about all the ways I could tell her. In the end, I know the right thing to do is end it quickly. I have to make her hate me. If she hates me, she’ll forget about me and move on. If she keeps loving me from afar, she’ll never be able to be happy.

The night ends before I’m ready. The sun rises, throwing rays of light through my dark curtains and into my room. I briefly watch specks of dust dance in the air before drawing my gaze back to Aspen. The only upside about the early morning light is that I can see her face better now. I memorize every inch of her, every feature, and every curve.

Aspen stirs, her breathing changes, and I know she is about to wake up. Closing my eyes, I suck in a deep breath, letting her scent ground me one last time. Then I shove all my feelings down into the darkest corner of myself until I’m almost numb—because that’s the only way I can force myself to do this.

I open my eyes and stare up at the ceiling as I push Aspen off my body. Instantly, I feel cold. Inside and out. A chill seeps deep into my bones, and I already know that I won’t be able to shake that feeling for a long time, maybe not ever.

Shoving myself off the bed, I quickly grab the first thing I can find and get dressed. The rustling of bedsheets fills the room, followed by a tiny feminine moan that sends a lightning bolt straight to my cock.

Not a good time, asshole.

“Quinton?” Aspen’s sleepy voice meets my ear, but I continue dressing like I didn’t hear it. “Hey, are you okay?”

No, I’m not, and neither will you in a few seconds.

“You need to leave.” I keep my tone even.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you need to get your shit together and go back to Corium. You can’t stay here any longer.” I can’t even look at her while I talk, but I can hear the confusion in her voice.

“Your father said I can stay here—”