Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts) by Alexis Noelle Read Free Book Online Page A

lie here any longer, I'm going to fall asleep. I'm going to go out on the couch now." I could hear the reluctance in his voice.
    "Carter, you shouldn't have to sleep on the couch."
    "Maddy, I'm not going to have you sleeping on the couch. One, I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. Two, my father would probably kick my ass."
    I couldn't believe I was about to suggest this. "Maybe you could stay in here." I felt his whole body tense up. I read this situation completely wrong. He didn't want me this close to him. I was crowding him, just like I did with Chris. Shit. I was going to cry. I got up from the bed. I needed to go to the bathroom. I didn't want to cry in front of him.
    Carter beat me to the door. "Maddy? Hey, look at me." I just shook my head. I had enough embarrassment for the night. He lowered himself so he could see my face. "Hey, what's wrong? Please talk to me."
    I hated how weak I was, and I hated how much I felt like I needed him right now. "I'm sorry, Carter. I guess I made an assumption I shouldn't have. It's okay. I understand that I'm a lot to handle. Chris told me before that I crowd him too . I'll give you your space." I felt him tense again.
    He started pulling me toward the bed. What was he doing? At this point, I was too tired to care. He lay back down and pulled me with him. The way that he did it, I ended up straddling him. He took my face between his hands. "Listen to me, Maddy. You are not crowding me. I love being around you and if you let me, I'd never leave your side. I hate that you are so negative about yourself. Also, that asshole doesn't know what he's talking about. You deserve so much better than him, baby. And I just-"
    I crashed my lips into his and he let out a low moan that was by far the sexiest sound I'd ever heard. He dropped his hands to his sides. He was probably afraid to touch me after last time. "Carter, put your arms around me. Please, I need you."
    He wrapped me in an embrace so tight, and I'd never felt so wanted. When he kissed me, it was almost like I could feel his love pouring into my veins. I felt him getting hard underneath me and I pulled away.
    I wasn't ready for this.
    I felt like the walls were closing in on me and I was struggling to catch my breath. I felt like I was spinning in circles. I couldn't believe I was having an anxiety attack right now. When Carter realized what was going on, he laid me down on my side next to him, turned to face me, and I buried my head in his chest.
    It took me a few minutes, but I finally calmed down. I pulled my head back and looked up at him. He looked so worried that I was finally starting to understand that he really did care about me.
    "Maddy, please talk to me. I'm not mad at you, I promise. I really need you to tell me what's going on, though."
    "I don't think I can."
    "If this is about Chris, I can handle it. Just, please, don't shut me out. I'm here for you. All you need to do is let me in."
    "It isn't about him." This time my problems had nothing to do with Chris. I couldn't believe I was about to tell him this. "The first foster home I went to, my foster father abused me. He used to come into my room at night and make me touch him when he was hard. He used to tell me that once I got a little bit older, he couldn't wait to play with me. It started to get more frequent and I started to get really scared. I told my teacher at school, and they called the state. He denied it, but they relocated me immediately. I'm sorry that I freaked out on you." He didn't say anything. I probably disgusted him now. "I understand if you don't want anything to do with me anymore. I know I'm damaged goods."
    "Where do you get this stuff? You know what? Don't answer that. I already know." He grabbed my chin and made me look at him. "Chris is a sad excuse for a man. None of that was your fault. You were a victim. If you want me to stay with you tonight, nothing would make me happier."
    "I do."
    "Thank God, because I really didn't want to sleep on the