Chapter 212

Alyssa POV

I reach for the hem of War’s shirt and lift it slowly. He sits up just enough for me to tug it over his head, his eyes never leaving mine.

My fingers glide down his chest, lingering at every scar, every line of hardened muscle, every story etched into his skin I haven’t been told—and probably never will be.

Then my lips follow.

I kiss along the center of his sternum, soft and open-mouthed, trailing down his ribs, pausing just above his heart.

It’s pounding.

Fast. Hard.

Like he’s trying not to feel what he’s feeling—but he’s losing the battle with every breath.

He inhales sharply, his throat bobbing as he swallows back whatever’s trying to rise to the surface.

“Have you ever been taken care of like this?” I whisper against his skin.

His eyes stay trained on me. “No.” A breathless, uneven laugh slips out. “Every part of this is makin’ me feel fuckin’ weird... but I don’t want you to stop.”

Of course it