Page 28 of Claiming What's Mine

“What? What is it?” I asked, suddenly concerned that I had done something wrong.

Letting out a delicate sigh, she looked me straight in the eyes. “This doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you. I still have beliefs, you know that, right?”

“I know, I'm not asking you to sleep with me.”

“Okay, good, because I'm not ready for that.” Snuggling up closer, she laid her head on my shoulder. “I told you I'd make you love me. I win.”

Smiling to myself, I rested my cheek against her hair, and wrapped my arm around her lower back. “Yes you did.”

We watched the fireflies for about an hour, until the green bursts faded and there was nothing left. Blue had fallen asleep in my arms as we sat on the hill, and I couldn't bring myself to move her.

I should have woken her up. I should have brought her right back home and helped her sneak into her room. But I couldn't let her go, I couldn't stop staring at her as she slept.

She looked too perfect.

I knew that if she got caught coming in at dawn, coming home well after her parents had thought she had gone to bed, Blue would be grounded for months.

But right then I didn't care. I didn't care because in that moment I was truly happy.

Selfishness was a toxin, it was a drug that consumed me.

And Blue had become mine, I wasn't ever letting her go.

Chapter Six

Jayden

––––––––

“I'm screwed, I'm soscrewed.” Digging her hands into her knees, she spied through the stalks. “My parents are going to kill me.”

“Your father is a pastor, he's not going to kill you.”

“You know what I mean,” she snapped, keeping her eyes on her house. “I'm never going to see the light of day again. I'll never see you again. . .” Her voice trailed off as a wave of sadness washed over her face.

“Maybe it won't be that bad.”