Page 307 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“You’re angry.”

“Yes.”

“You’re exhausted.”

“Yes.”

“You found out I’m a murderer tonight.”

“Technically yesterday.”

“Ronan.”

“What?”

Elliot stared at the exposed skin.

“I’m not doing that unless you actually want it.”

Ronan almost laughed. Of all fucking times for Elliot to develop restraint.

“You're asking permission to bite me.”

“Yes.”

“You.”

“Yes.”

“The man who once bit me because Dylan liked an Instagram post.”

“He used a heart.”

“It was a fucking heart.”

“It was suggestive.”

Ronan laughed. Elliot almost did. Then Ronan’s expression sobered.

“I want it.”

Elliot searched his face.

“Why?”

Ronan hated the answer. Because Nathan had touched him. Because Saint thought he understood them. Because Vance had Elliot’s secrets by the throat and Ronan had spent hours lying to keep them there. Because the entire world suddenly seemed to have access to something Ronan had once believed belonged only to him. He reached for Elliot again.

“Because I need one thing tonight to still be ours.”

Elliot stopped breathing. There. That was the answer. Not punishment. Not absolution. Not forgiveness. Theirs. Elliot touched Ronan’s waist. Slowly. Waiting. Ronan nodded. The restraint disappeared. Elliot kissed him again. Harder. Ronan backed into the island, Elliot following, their bodies colliding hard enough to make something on the counter rattle. Elliot’s mouth moved from his lips to his jaw and then lower, but he stopped at Ronan’s throat. Waiting again. Ronan threaded his fingers through Elliot’s damp hair.

“Do it.”

Elliot’s breath warmed his skin.

“Say it.”

Ronan knew exactly what he wanted. The words that had once been a joke. The words someone else had stolen from them. Maybe that was why Ronan wanted them back. He tightened his grip in Elliot’s