Page 32 of His to Burn

I adjusted my clothes and then stepped into the bathroom to clean the evidence of my weakness, proof of how easily I’d come undone.

When I came out, embarrassment cloaked me like a shroud, but I forced myself to meet his eyes.

Ready to see his disgust, or God forbid, pity.

All I saw was casual indifference.

I would have been happier if he were angry.

But the way he looked at me now…like nothing happened.

Like Ididn’t matter…

It fucking hurt.

I tried to cover that pathetic pain. “Don’t worry. I’m done falling apart.”

He shrugged, reminding me that my pride, my shame, meant nothing. “You’ve held up better than most.”

A half-assed compliment as a reward for a fuck.

That stung.

Jackson stepped away, and even though I was mad, I missed his presence so close to me, though I’d eat glass before I’d admit it.

“If you say so. Also,thatdidn’t happen. You mention it again, and I swear…” I said.

He gave me a quick smile that transformed his face.

But it was gone as soon as it came.

“Whatever you say, Counselor,” he said.

“That’s the correct response.”

Anger receding for the moment, I smiled and took Jack in.

Unbothered was the only word I could think to capture how at ease he looked. I was impressed, though I wouldn’t admit that, either.

“You seem to be okay,” I remarked, stillstruggling for some semblance of pride and equilibrium.

He shrugged, his nonchalance making me smile again. “So at least one of us has their head on straight.”

I laughed, though there wasn’t a single thing funny.

That stopped him in his tracks, and he looked at me, his eyes narrowed, clearly serious. “If yours isn’t, get it there and make sure it stays that way. It’s the only chance you have to survive.”

Thiswas the Jackson I was coming to know. His expression was harsh and unyielding. But I couldn’t even be mad at him, let alone disagree.

Because he was right.

I needed to get and keep my shit together, and I would do just that.

Right now.

I looked around the room again, and I felt Jack following my gaze.

“Do many people know about this place?” he asked.