1
I've got you. I swear to God, I've got you, " said Noah. "Stay with me, Echo."I wanted to. I wanted to stay with him, but the shouting and screams and glass breaking in my mind grew louder. "Make it stop." He tightened his grip on my arms. "Fight, Echo! You've got to fucking fight. Come on, baby. You're safe.Katie Mcgarry
2
I must have killed a lot of cows in a past life for Karma to hate me this much.Katie Mcgarry
3
She’s leaving me! ”“ Leaving? She’s been waiting for you to get your shit together.” I step into him. “That Hunter bastard is offering her the world! What do I got to give? Nothing. I’ve got nothing.” Isaiah slams his finger into my biceps. “She looks at you like you’re the whole universe! I’d kill to have a sliver with Beth of what you have with Echo. Wake the f*ck up! ” I pound my hand to my chest, mimicking the pain slicing it. “Echo’s leaving me.”“ No, man. You’re the one leaving her, ” he seethes. “Get it together or she will walk.Katie Mcgarry
4
His eyes spark as his gaze dips to my cleavage, and this gives me courage. I shift forward and slip my hands under his shirt, brushing my fingers against the muscles of his abdomen. Noah sharply inhales and, in seconds, his shirt is off and thrown into the corner of the tent. I love his naked chest, and I decide to play. Biting my bottom lip, hoping to contain the smile, I nudge Noah’s shoulder, indicating for him to lie down. He flashes his wicked grin and reclines back, except he snags his hand around my wrist and tugs me with him. I laugh as I come face-to-face with him. My body on top of his and when I wiggle, I close my eyes, liking the pleasure of intimate parts touching. My hips squirm and with the movement, Noah immediately kisses my lips while knotting his fingers in my hair. There’s no subtlety in our kiss. All of the passion, all of the longing, all of the emotion rush out of us like water hurtling toward a cliff. It’s fast and raw and out of control.Katie Mcgarry
5
Just a shower. If you want me to stay on the opposite side, I will. I won’t kiss. I won’t touch.” Echo flashes that siren smile. “What if I want to kiss you?”“ You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?Katie Mcgarry
6
The moment Noah came up behind me and kissed the side of my neck, I was torn between leaning into him and skirting away. Every muscle in my body screamed to fall into him.Katie Mcgarry
7
Come on, baby. It’s time.”“ You’re mean, Noah.”The blanket falls off her arm as I slide a finger down her shoulder. Goose bumps form along her skin at my touch. She may be cranky, but she’s responding.“ A deal’s a deal, ” I remind her.“ I changed my mind. I’d rather sleep.” With her eyes still shut, she hunts for the cover, but I kick it off. She presses her lips together. “I’m serious. You’re the meanest person I know.” I kiss her neck then blow on the skin, pleased with the smile she’s fighting.“ Does that feel mean?” I ask.“ Horribly.” She giggles. “It’s torture.Katie Mcgarry
8
He loved me. Noah Hutchins had told me he loved me, and that had made the past week at school absolute hell.Katie Mcgarry
9
Noah, ” she whispers in reprimand.“ You’ve never complained when I’ve tried to undress you before.” Echo readjusts so she can see me, and for the first time since this morning, those eyes dance. “Yes, I have.”“ When?”“ The last day of school.”“ So you’ve complained once.” When I led her to the nook of the abandoned hallway in the basement near my locker. I only meant to sneak in for a kiss during lunch, but things got hot and heavy and well..sue me. “I didn’t buy a yearbook, so I was memory-making. .Katie Mcgarry
10
(Echo) “So you agree that throwing people into walls isn’t okay?”( Noah) “It is when someone f*cks with you.” I attempt to step back, but Noah halts the escape. “I mean it. No one treats you like shit. At least when I’m around. That’s nonnegotiable.” (Noah)Katie Mcgarry
11
My heart quickened when I caught a flash of red entering the lunchroom. At the corner door farthest from me, Echo paused and performed a quick scan. She held her books tight to her chest, sleeves clutched in her hands. Our eyes met. Her green eyes melted and she gave me that beautiful siren smileKatie Mcgarry
12
Noah drew me closer to him. "It's okay. I've got you.Katie Mcgarry
13
Echo, kissing you for the rest of my life would be good enough, and you need to get these fucked-up thoughts out of your brain. I’m scared of making love to you because you’re too good for me. I’m terrified that after I share this with you, you’ll realize the mistake, and I can’t take that. Not from you.Katie Mcgarry