Destroy You (Destroy #3) by K. D. Carrillo Page A

them on their bullshit when they wanted everyone to believe they were okay, and they don’t shove her lies in her face, either. Those girls have secrets. You’ll hurt Toni if you judge them, and when you learn everything, you’ll feel like an ass,” he warned.
    My stomach churned at his words. “Toni’s told me a little about both of them. Does she have secrets like Kate and Becca did?”
    His eyes narrowed. “Would it change your feelings for her?”
    “No, but it might break my heart. I don’t want her to have gone through anything like they did.”
    “I wouldn’t tell you if Toni had told me something in confidence, but honestly I don’t know. Her parents are cold and authoritarian, but you’ve already seen that. Miguel treated her like a possession, but again nothing you don’t know.”
    “Would you two quit gossiping like schoolgirls and get your asses in here?” Melody interrupted. “I was promised a movie and popcorn. If I don’t get either in the next five minutes, I’m going to go search for other avenues of fun. And I’m dragging this sexy little Latina with me if for no other reason than to spoil your fun, McKenzie.”
    I leapt over the couch and pulled Toni away from her. “Mine. Go find a new playmate, Mel.”
    Her icy-blue eyes landed on Jeremy, and she batted her lashes. “Looks like it’s you and me, Jeremy.” She paused and studied him. Mel could be oblivious sometimes, and apparently their freaky resemblance hadn’t dawned on her until now. “Wait, when is your birthday and how old are you?”
    “December 14, 1990. You?”
    “February 15, 1991, but we’re both twenty-five. Well that solves that. I’m about two months younger than you. I guess we aren’t twins separated at birth,” she teased.
    “Guess not, but you’re like the girl version of me, so even if I went for women, I don’t think you’d be my type. That would be taking self-love to an entirely new level, but at least now I don’t have to wonder what I’d look like as a chick. I’d be smoking hot.”
    Toni rolled her eyes at them. “Now that that is out of the way.” She hit Play on the movie and returned to the couch, where she cuddled up to my side and I wrapped my arm around her. She moved her arm around my chest and occasionally traced the ridges of my muscles with her fingers.
    The fire was building between us, but I was fine letting us burn slowly. When we finally came together, the heat might consume us, but I couldn’t think of a better way to go.
    “Stay with me tonight,” I whispered.
    “I’d like to, but that’s why I won’t.”
    “Toni…”
    She silenced me by putting her slim finger against my lips. “I’m not running or pushing you away. I’m also not going to let us screw this up by jumping into bed before we have some idea of what this is.”
    I put her hand on my chest. “I want to give us a chance and really explore how we feel about each other, but if you aren’t ready yet, we’ll wait.”
    Toni shook her head. “You’re my first thought in the morning and usually the theme of my dreams at night.” Her cheeks flushed, and I made a mental note to bring a few of those dreams to life.
    “I’m…God, I shouldn’t say this out loud,” she mumbled.
    “Never be afraid to tell me how you feel,” I urged.
    “I’m falling for you,” she whispered.
    I pulled her closer and closed my eyes. “I’ll catch you, because I think I’m already there.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 10
     
     
    Toni
     
    I dropped my keys on the entry table and fought the urge to bang my head against the wall. Why didn’t I stay?
    “I have no idea. And yes, you are actually thinking out loud,” Jeremy commented as he walked past.
    “There’s something wrong with me,” I muttered.
    “That’s obvious. It’s the what that has me stumped,” he shot back.
    “Ass.”
    “Yes, but I’m a smart ass. After tonight you’ve proved yourself to be a dumbass.”
    I dropped down onto