Page 86 of Chain Reaction

She’d been left with so many questions as she tried to pick up the pieces. She’d done therapy and eventually poured herself into her schooling then her career.

She’d done everything she could to forget her pain.

“This isn’t going to be a replay of what happened last time,” Jake murmured. “I promise.”

The next instant, his arm was around her, and he pulled her close.

Raven nestled into him, suddenly forgetting their past. At least, forgetting the bad things in their past.

“I’ve got you,” Jake whispered.

His words thawed something inside her that had been frozen for a long, long time.

She’d craved feeling Jake’s arms around her again. But she’d never thought it was a possibility.

Right now, she didn’t care about their past. She only cared that he was here now.

Had they been given a second chance? Or maybe even the opportunity for closure?

She wasn’t sure.

All she knew right now were her feelings, her desires.

Her need for connection.

Her heart pounding in her ears, Raven glanced up at Jake.

Her throat went dry at the sight of him here in the shadows of the confined space.

He was the only man she’d ever loved.

He’d hurt her, but suddenly that didn’t matter anymore.

Without thinking, she reached up and pressed her lips to his.

Jake’s heart pounded in his ears as Raven’s lips pressed against his.

Instantly, he relaxed as their bodies pressed closer. As her familiar scent filled him.

As his heart stammered out of control.

He wanted nothing more than to dive into the moment and embrace it.

But a voice nagged in the back of his mind—one he couldn’t ignore.

As much as he wanted to kiss her back . . . he couldn’t.

Not right now. Not like this.

This situation had rendered Raven too vulnerable. She wasn’t thinking clearly.

He wanted nothing more than this . . . but he didn’t want Raven to have any regret.

He forced himself to pull away. “Raven . . .”

Raven stared back at him, her eyes wide with confusion. “What? I . . .”

Instantly, rejection washed over her features, and she withdrew. Even in the dark, he could see the embarrassment on her face.