Beautifully Hurt (Beautifully Broken)

Eli brushes more kisses along the side of my neck and cheek as if he can sense I just need him to hold me while the emotions wash through me.

“My Quinn,” he whispers, and I press myself harder against him, wishing I could really melt into him.

I don’t know how long Eli holds me, but he doesn’t let go until I pull back. His hands frame my face, and he presses a tender kiss to my mouth before he steps back.

“Let me warm up the pizza,” he says.

My eyes follow him as he gathers the box and walks out of the living room, and then I place a hand over my stomach.

A wide smile plays around my mouth as I press the pads of my fingers to my lips.

My heart swoons at how perfect the kiss was. I remember every second, the feel of Eli’s hands, his breaths, his mouth.

No matter what happens, I’ll never forget our first kiss.

ELI

Since I kissed Quinn, she’s been looking at me with stars in her eyes.

Not to be a dick, but I’m damn proud of how well I handled it. It took every bit of self-control I had to not devour her.

Christ, she tasted sweet and innocent, feeding an addiction I never knew I had. Like an asshole, I want to beat my chest, roaring to the world this girl is mine.

I bring the truck to a stop outside my parents’ house. It used to be a beaten-up cabin, but over the years, Dad remodeled it into a beautiful family home.

“Ready?” I ask, glancing at Quinn, who’s clinging to the cobb salad and a bunch of peonies for Mom.

“Yes,” she breathes, nervous as fuck even though she’s known my parents all her life.

“They already love you,” I tell her to set her at ease.

Quinn nods. “It’s just… today I’m here as your girlfriend.”

A wide smile forms on my face. “Say that again. The part about you being my girlfriend.”

Quinn’s face lights up with her smile that’s made of pure sunshine. “I’m your girlfriend.”

The possessiveness in me stirs, and I lift a hand to her cheek. Leaning across the seat, I press a kiss to her mouth, and then I murmur, “Mine.”

I pull back, and as Quinn shoves her door open, climbing out of the truck, she says, “I’ve always been yours.”

“Christ,” I mutter, throwing my own door open. Meeting Quinn at the front of the truck, I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck and tug her against my body. “You can’t say things like that when I’m seconds away from seeing my parents.”

Her big green eyes dance with laughter. “Why?”

I lean down and let my breath fan over her ear, then I whisper, “Because it makes me hard as fuck.” I pull back and let out a chuckle at the pink glow on her cheeks.

Taking the cobb salad from Quinn, I wink at her before I walk toward the porch. “Come on, baby.”

“Ah… yeah,” she mumbles, quickly catching up to me.

I walk inside the house and head toward the kitchen, where I can hear laughter.

“Hey,” I say, setting the salad down on the table. I give Mom a hug then pull Ethan into an embrace. “Happy Birthday.”

“Thanks,” he replies, and when we pull back, I quickly hug Dad.

Quinn inches closer to my mom and hands her the flowers.”"Hi, Nina. Thank you for having me over.”

“My favorites.” Mom glances at me. “Did you tell Quinn?”

“I remembered Eli got you some a while back,” Quinn answers. She glances at Dad, giving him an awkward wave. “Hi, Mr. Jackson.”

“Call me Alex,” he chuckles at her.

Quinn steps closer to Ethan, and I watch as she hugs my brother, who’s only a year older than her. “Happy Birthday, Ethan.”

“Thanks, Quinn,” he murmurs, and then he catches me watching them, and the fucker wraps her up in a tight hug, wagging his eyebrows at me.

“Don’t let this be your last birthday,” I say as I take hold of Quinn’s arm, pulling her away from him.

Everyone bursts out laughing at my possessive comment.

Mom walks to the sink with a vase to put the flowers in while Dad says, “You’re right, Nina. They make a cute couple.”

“I’m always right,” Mom sasses Dad, making us all laugh again.

The bantering has the nervous tension leaving Quinn as she watches my family with a soft smile tugging at her lips.

Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I ask, “What’s for lunch?”

“Dad’s famous shrimp casserole,” Ethan answers.

“You’re in for a treat,” I tell Quinn.

“Can’t wait.”

“So what… are you an official couple now?” Ethan asks as his eyes jump between us.

“Yes, so hands-off,” I joke.

“Wow,” Ethan lets out a low whistle. “First girl you’ve brought home. It’s about time.”

“Shut up,” I chuckle at him.

“Time for your gift,” Dad says, pinning Ethan with a look. He picks up an envelope and holds it out to Ethan. “We gave Eli shares in the hardware store, so we feel it’s only right you get something similar.”