Page 87 of His to Burn

But I didn’t let go.

I chuckled, though, no longer surprised that he made me laugh, even at a time like this. And more than happy to focus on something else. “Should I be offended that you didn’t try to deny it?”

He didn’t answer. Instead he flipped on the camping lantern, and filled the room with dim orange-hued LCD light.

“Tell me what’s on your mind, Asia,” he said, his eyes on mine.

He sat on the bed next to me, his hand still in mine. His expression also softened ever so slightly, but that change only allowed me to see his hurt that much more clearly.

Hurt that I caused.

Hurt that I needed to fix.

“The last time I needed someone—” I began, then hesitated.

I couldn’t open that door.

Iwouldn’topen that door.

Not now.

Not ever.

“I…” My words trailed on a shaky breath, and when Jack squeezed my hand, the first tear broke free.

I threw myself into his arms, letting him hold me as the tears flowed—and flow they did—for the girl I had been, for the woman I had grown into, for the woman I knew I would need to become. And through it all, Jackson held me, keeping his grip tight as my breath returned to normal.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“You don’t?—”

“No, Jackson. I am sorry. I know how it sounded. How it made you feel.”

My breath hitched. “What you did today…killing them? You didn’t hesitate. You didn’t even flinch. No one’s ever done that for me. No one’s ever thought I was worth it.”

My throat closed up, my wordsjagged.

“I know it wasn’t just for me. I know it was survival. But still…thank you.”

And while I was sure I sounded like a fucking idiot, feeling exposed sharing a part of my story that I always kept to myself, I held his gaze, hoping he understood.

Hoping one day, he might tell me some of his story.

Until then…

“Jackson,” I whispered, my gaze still on his.

“Yeah?” His voice was barely a whisper.

“Would you kiss me?”

TWENTY-ONE

Jackson

I hated the way she asked that—like she thought I might say no.

As pissed off as I was, as pissed off as I might ever be, Asia didn’t have to ask me for anything.