Glass Heart Hero: A Dark High School Romance by Lindsey Iler (free ebook reader for iphone .TXT) 📕

“Fuck!” I shout in ecstasy, rolling my hips into his face.

“That’s it, baby.” He devours me like a final meal, showing extra attention to my clit until I’m on the edge of the mountain, daring myself to jump.

“Shit, I’m coming.” I grab a chunk of his hair, pressing his face deep into me. The orgasm rolls through me like a wave, crashing with pure satisfaction.

Completely spent, I lift myself off Breaker and fall to the mattress beside him. He wipes the corner of his mouth, grinning like a prized man. I lean over him, searching for my underwear.

“Not so fast.” Breaker’s hands wrap around my waist, throwing me down on the bed. “I’m not done with you.”

Breaker Davenport is no liar. He spends the rest of the night worshipping every inch of my body. This isn’t our first time having sex, but it’s different now.

We’re different.

******

“Fancy seeing you here this morning, Delaney,” Marek singsongs.

“Breaker’s in the shower, and I’m waiting for someone to feed me.” I hold my hands under my chin, batting my eyelashes at him.

“What are you in the mood for?” He moves around the kitchen, grabbing bread, eggs, and bacon.

“That looks about right.” I sit on the stool and gaze at what will become my breakfast.

“You know, I only cook for Palmer and the boys most days. If you’re going to be a regular at this breakfast table, I’m going to need a heads-up.” He grins at me then focuses on cracking eggs into a bowl.

“Don’t listen to him.” Palmer hops down from the rear stairwell. “You’re welcome here, with no notice, but do I dare ask why you’re here?”

“Because she can’t resist me,” Breaker says, announcing his entrance. He comes up behind me and massages my shoulders before bending to kiss me on the cheek.

“Well, I’m going to steal my best friend for a minute and let you boys do the cooking.” Palmer nods towards the door for me to follow.

Breaker’s already too engrossed in the job of making toast and flipping bacon to argue my being led away. We know what will happen once I leave the kitchen. Questions.

“Explain yourself,” Palmer says once I’m sitting next to her on the couch.

“Do you want the long or short version?” I smile at her, hoping to get out of this conversation.

“Whatever you’re comfortable with. We haven’t had the chance to talk lately. Worried is an understatement for what I’ve been feeling,” she pleads.

“Have you ever felt utterly lost, like no decision you make will be the right one for yourself, and that if you do make a decision, you immediately think the other option would be for the best?” I grab a pillow and shield my chest.

“Look around, Delaney. I’m a living memorial for unsure decision making. I fell in love with a boy who quite literally almost killed me and was cruel to me, time and time again.”

“WHOA!” Marek peeks his head into the living room. “I’ve apologized for all of that.”

“I know, baby.” She winks at him and then directs her attention at me, widening her eyes to make sure I’m paying attention. “No one said you have to make a decision right now. I do have to ask something, though.”

“What’s that?”

“What do you see in Tripp DuPont? I assume it’s the decision between Breaker and him that has you struggling.”

“When I went home, Tripp was staying with our family. I was a shell after everything that happened, and he took the time to knock down the walls I built up.”

“What about Breaker?”

“Whenever I look in his eyes for too long, I’m practically teleported into that mansion, stuck inside that room. I’m afraid being with him would be a life sentence of being reminded of the things we did, yet somehow, he’s where I feel the safest.”

“You survived, Delaney. That’s what both of you did. You survived together because of each other.” Palmer tightens her lips, watching my face as I try to keep it as neutral as possible.

“We killed him,” I whisper. My breaths practically strangle me on their way out.

“And the world is a better place for it.” Palmer’s voice is full of conviction. She believes what she’s saying, and she’s not lying. The world doesn’t need men like Declan Dumas running around.

“You weren’t there.” I shrug, fighting my emotions. “I held that knife in my hand, and”—my lip trembles, fighting to stop the words before they can be spoken—“I saw red. I don’t think I’ve ever known true hatred in my life until I stood over him and did what I did to him.”

I hop off the couch and pace. My breaths are heavy, and the blood in my veins roars in my ears. Tingling emerges in my limbs, and I shake them away, to no avail.

“Shit,” I whisper-yell. “Get it under control, Delaney.”

“You’re having an anxiety attack,” Palmer says. “Breaker. In here. Now.”

My vision begins to blur, and the prickling is so intense, it’s impossible to ignore. I kick my feet, trying to remind myself I’m still standing. Breaker moves into my line of sight, but his face is distorted. His warm hands clasp mine, holding them between our bodies.

“Listen to me, Delaney. You’re okay,” he states. His words are matter-of-fact, stern, and yet, comforting. “Take a deep breath with me.” I do as he says, watching his chest rise and fall with the same rhythm as mine. “Okay, can you see me?” My eyes close and open slowly, a little bit of the blur fading every time they do. “There you go, baby. You’re okay. Say it with me.”

“I’m okay,” I whisper.

“All right.” His arms wrap around me as I break down and cry. His body crumbles with the dead weight of me in his arms. We sit in the middle of the living room, him rocking me while I work through the demons I keep pretending aren’t there.

“I think I’m good to stand up,” I say into