Luring Light - K.E. Osborn Page 0,52

to help you relax. Give you a massage. Let you unwind. You’re so freaking tense!”

“You’re gonna do that for me?”

With a small laugh, I wave my hand through the air. “I’m already doing it. Now, stop being your usual asshole self and come sit on the bed. Take your shirt off, and I’ll rub your shoulders for you.”

Void hesitates, but I pat the bed making a slow smile creep up onto his face. “I’ve been a prick to you this last week,” he states, taking off his cut, placing it carefully on the edge of the bed.

I shrug. “I’m not going to pretend I understand what’s going on because I don’t.”

He nods, pulling off his shirt.

I will never get sick of seeing him shirtless. Even with the bruising still smattered over his ribcage, those chiseled abs, his perfect V, not to mention those black and gray tattoos, are perfect for me. Void rests his shirt over his cut, then sits in front of me. It’s the first time I’ve seen his back clearly. The muscles on this man are simply breathtaking, but it’s the Royal Bastard’s logo covering his entire back that really makes my insides quiver with desire. Void is pure sexual torment right now, but I need to keep myself focused.

I kneel in behind him, my thumbs pressing into his incredibly tight shoulders. “But, in saying that, if you don’t want to talk to me about whatever it is that’s going on, then I won’t push you, either.”

“You’re far too understanding, Ivy. Any normal woman would’ve given up on an asshole like me a long time ago.”

I kneed his muscles feeling them loosen with my touch, seeing his body relax beneath my grasp. “The thing is, Void, I’m no quitter. I don’t give up unless there’s a one hundred percent reason for me to do so. You haven’t given me a reason to quit, yet.”

He snorts. “You must have your scorecard set quite high because I can name a dozen reasons why you should’ve given up on me by now.”

I lean down against his ear. “And that’s why you’re not me.” I press my lips to his cheek, giving him a quick kiss before pulling back and continuing with my massage of his shoulders.

“I’ve never had anyone take care of me the way you do.”

My chest squeezes as his walls come down again. This is the Void I’m falling for.

“You need to let me do it all the time. Don’t put your walls up around me. I see you, and I happen to like you… the real you, Cade.”

Void inhales like he’s having trouble trying to keep his shit together. His chin drops to his chest, but I keep massaging him anyway. I’m sure we’re making progress.

He clears his throat, his voice coming out low and almost a whisper. “I grew up in a cult.”

Everything stops as I take a second to let that tidbit of information sink in.

Void grew up in a cult.

That explains some things.

My head starts to spin as I think of all the possible shit he’s witnessed or been put through. My breathing quickens, a cold sweat racing over my skin.

“Ivy?” Void’s concerned voice breaks through my rising panic as he turns to me, and that’s enough to bring me back to earth.

He grounds me.

He’s my rock.

I put on a calming smile and keep massaging his shoulders. “Keep going… tell me everything.”

“My father ran it, he was known as The Redeemer…” He pauses. “That man was anything but.”

I continue to listen as Void hesitantly tells me his story.

“I grew up with many siblings, some older, some younger, male and female, but none of us knew who our mothers were. It’s just how it went. The women in the cult shared the duties and responsibilities of taking care of the children. They were all our mothers, I suppose.”

An ache forms deep inside my chest, thinking about my mother. I grew up loving her, but she was taken from me far too soon. I can’t imagine growing up not knowing who she was. It must have been terrible for Void.

“You say you have siblings. Do you ever see them?”

“No. I have no clue where they are. Some went to jail, others to foster homes. I was lucky when I got out.”

“How did you? Get out, I mean?”

He takes a few deep, steadying breaths. “I started knowing something wasn’t right. Maybe this way of life that was ingrained into me wasn’t the right way. When my dad