Page 77 of Hymns of the Broken

I look up, finding him already watching me, eyes softer than I’ve ever seen—like I’m the only thing that matters in the world.

He breaks the silence first, his voice careful. “I know we have only known each other for a week. But you wreck me, you know that? Sometimes I think I’m the one with all the control, but…” His smile is crooked, almost sly. “You get me all twisted up, Sawyer.”

I can’t help but grin, tracing the ink on his chest. “What? Have you ever lost control like that before?”

He huffs a laugh, rolling onto his back, pulling me with him so I’m splayed over his chest. “Not like this. Not with anyone. Fuck, you should’ve seen me before you. I was…cold. Mean, even. I never wanted anything but the music.” His fingers brush my hair back from my face, tenderness in the way he touches me now. “Then you showed up and ruined me for everything else.”

I kiss his jaw, lips on soft stubble. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

He tilts his head, nipping my earlobe. “No. Best thing that ever happened to me.” His voice dips softer, like a confession. “I enjoy taking care of you. Likeknowing you’re safe—especially after…” He trails off, something haunted flickering in his eyes. “After what you’ve been through.”

He knows nothing other than Blake, so he must be able to see it, but now’s not the time. I wrap my arms around him tighter. “You make me feel safe. Like I can finally breathe. Like…maybe I deserve this, too.”

He shifts, pressing a kiss to my temple. “You deserve everything, baby. I’m gonna give you everything. All you have to do is let me.”

We fall quiet, just listening to the sound of each other’s hearts, sharing the darkness, listening to the city outside. I trace shapes over the ink on his ribs, but my thoughts are still spinning from earlier—Riot’s touch, his dirty mouth, the heat in his eyes.

I want to trust this feeling, this safety. Jasper’s heat, his promise, the way he holds me like he’s afraid to let me go. But part of me still aches for more—wants to be wanted, to be fought over, to be seen.

I breathe his scent—smoke, sweat, something wild and mine—and let myself believe, just for tonight, that I could belong here. That I can be wanted this much and not have to apologize for it.

Tomorrow, I’ll deal with chaos. Tonight, I want to stay wrapped up in him.

I let my eyes close, heart finally slowing, and I fall asleep with Jasper’s heartbeat echoing the promise he made:“All you have to do is let me.”

***

I wake slowly, wrapped in the scent of him and expensive hotel linen. My body aches in the best way, muscles sore, thighs bruised, lips swollen. Every inch of me is a memory of last night. I stretch, and Jasper’s hand tightens on my waist, pulling me back against his chest, like he’s not ready to let me go.

He mumbles something half-asleep, nosing my neck. “Morning, Little Sin.”

“Morning.” I smile, rolling over to face him. He looks perfect in the morning—messy hair, dark stubble, dangerous even half-awake. I press my toes into his shin, teasing. “So what’s on the agenda for today, Rockstar? Are you planning to keep me locked in here and ruin me all over again, or do we actually have to act like adults?”

He grins, slow and wolfishly. “We could do both. I’d love to take you onto the hotel balcony and fuck you over the railing, but you’ll have to tell me if you can walk first.”

I shove at his chest, laughing, but he catches my wrist, locking our fingers together. I can’t help it—I feel happy. Like maybe, for once, I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

JASPER

If the world never saw her like this, I’d die happy. But I’m a selfish bastard. Part of me enjoys knowing people will notice. Knowing the guys will see the way she moves—worn out and shining, marked as mine.

She’s got marks on her body from my teeth and hands. The memory of last night glows on her skin. I watch her walk ahead of me down the hotel hall, legs a little shaky, wearing that half-cocky, half-ruined look that’s just for me.

We get to the lot, passing band members and crew. I catch sight of Riot up ahead. I notice the way he immediately finds her and watches us head towards our bus. I see a brief flicker of heat in his eyes as he clocks the bruises on her throat, the way her legs brush mine as we walk. For a second, jealousy flares up hot in my chest—mine, mine, mine.

But then she looks back at me, gives me that secret smile, and all I can think about is getting her alone again.

We climb onto the bus, sunlight streaking through the curtains, the guys already talking and joking like it’s any other day. But it’s not any other day.

Last night, I lost my fucking mind over her—let go in a way I don’t allow myself. I made her scream, made her beg, made her mine in a room full of shadows and glass. She let me. Gave herself over to me, and I’ll never get enough.

The others can have their jokes and gossip. I know that she’s ruined for anyone but me.

And tonight, I’ll do it all over again.

Chapter 14

RIOT