Page 164 of Balance

I didn’t usually fight back. All through middle and high school, I’d been bullied by his fans, and when they bugged me, I tended to roll over and take it.

But once someone started stalking Finn to the point of disturbing his daily routine… Well, that was different.

No one threatened anything of mine.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Miles frowned at me.

I raised my eyebrow. “You didn’t answer mine either.”

He sighed, shoulders slumping as defeat radiated in the air. “She looks like…” His words trailed off, contemplation and confusion growing in his expression. “Actually, I really don’t know.”

What kind of answer wasthat? They’d been with each other intimately. How could he not remember what she looked like?

Miles’s lack of attention to detail was highly concerning.

Although, on some level, it made my heart skip happily knowing he didn’t remember. It meant he could never visualize her naked in his thoughts either.

This was good.

Either way, I had other ways of finding things out.

“Okay…” I stepped past him. We still had some trail to cover today. “Let’s keep going.”

“Hold on!” Miles grabbed my arm, turning me to face him. “Why do you look like you’ve made an important decision without including me in any of the details?”

My mouth twisted, confusion settling over me. Whatwashe talking about? I was only going to have to guard him every day and night. I would forever be a thorn in his side, never allowing him to be on his own. Or at least until Heather was no longer a threat.

She clearly needed a distraction away from my man.

“Youhavemade a decision!” Miles’s brows furrowed. “What was it?”

Miles continued speaking—something about working together—but his words faded away as horror filled me and a cold settled deep in my bones.

My man? I pressed my hand to my warm cheek.

What the heck was that? When had I become so possessive? I’d never been like this in the past!

Well, maybe only a little. But this was getting out of control. Why was my heart racing in excitement? I should be horrified!

It wasn’t even true anyway. Miles had only promised to stay with me forever, as I’d promised to stay with him. And we were sort of a couple but not really because we weren’t dating in a traditional sense. We would never be married.

However, he did say he’d never look at anyone else again so long as he lived.

But did that make himmine? Maybe.

And he was a man.

So, it was technically true and not so far-fetched: he was my man. But that felt really weird to admit, even to myself.

“What in the world are you thinking about now?” Miles brushed his hands over my arms and his face swam in my vision, trepidation lacing his voice. The moment his skin brushed across mine, the nervous jitters in my stomach evaporated, and my heart—which had been pounding furiously—began to slow.

His confidence was contagious, which made sense… considering.

But still, I was unable to hide from him. “Why are you nervous?”

My face heated—as did his in response. As someone who prided myself on my privacy, this newest development was highly inconvenient. This bond was different than the one I had with Julian, who could simply read my emotions, and my memories. But having Miles actuallyfeelwhat I felt, and to personally physically share in his reactions…

What if this newly awakened power didn’t settle any time soon? He’d said it might. But what if… Would Miles know, firsthand, what my cramps felt like?