Page 64 of Revere

He says nothing as he steps closer, reaching for my shoulder. His fingers are gentle as they trace the three long scars that cut down one side of my spine.

The only other person who has seen these marks is the person who put them there. While my brother is aware of the damage to my knees and elbows from Mom’s unique prayer sessions, he doesn’t know what happened to my back.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. We both paid for what happened to the deacon, and Alex had enough to deal with.

But now, here I stand, bare besides my bra and underwear in front of Jacob. Showing him all of me.

Maybe it’s that we’re in LA and that he has no ties to Sigma House. Maybe it’s that I trust him for some unknown reason. Or maybe I just need someone else to know so I don’t have to carry it around all by myself anymore.

Glancing over my shoulder, I find him still staring at my back. “Don’t look at me like that.”

His gaze lifts. “How do you think I’m looking at you?”

“Like I’m broken.”

Jacob turns me so I’m facing him once again. “Trust me, that’s the last thing I’m thinking. You’re so fucking strong, Patience. Resilient. These scars are proof of that. The last thing I see is weakness when I look at you.”

“Then what are you thinking?”

His jaw clenches as he pulls me close. “Honestly?”

I nod.

“That I’m going to fucking ruin the person who did this to you.”

If only he knew it’s not that simple. That he could try, but he wouldn’t come close to touching my family with Sigma Sin standing between them and everyone else. Still, I appreciate that he cares. That he thinks he could do something about it.

“I don’t need you to avenge me, Jacob.” I lift onto my toes and wrap my arms around his neck. “I just need someone to make me feel good.”

“Someone?”

“You.”

“Mm-hmm.” He lifts me, wrapping my legs around his hips. “I’m the only one who will make you feel good, Patience. It’s best you remember that.”

“I will.”

There’s no forgetting this man or the comfort his strong arms bring me. He lays me on his bed, and I know I’ll remember him long after he tires of me. That much isn’t a lie.

“Fuck, you’re stunning.” He kisses down my throat, nipping at my breast through my bra. “I could look at you all day… all night…”

“When do I get to look at you?” I glance down at him, still in a dress shirt and slacks. “This seems a little unfair.”

“Does it?” He grins. “Then by all means, take what you want, beautiful.”

He kneels between my legs on the bed, waiting for me to claim what I want. So I reach up, undoing one button at a time until his shirt peels back, revealing solid muscle beneath. His shoulders flex as he strips it off the rest of the way and tosses it aside.

Jacob’s forearms tense when he rests his fists on the bed on either side of me, hovering his lips at my ear. “Are you done?”

I swallow, shaking my head.

“Didn’t think so.” He kisses the side of my neck. “Keep going.”

I reach for the button on his pants next. My cheeks burn with the wildfire sweeping through me. I slide his zipper down, and only then does Jacob lift off the bed to help. He strips the rest of his clothes off, standing bare at the foot of the bed.

My tongue swells as I take him in. The deep grooves of his muscles. The perfect V that aims like an arrow. His rock-hard cock.

He strokes it in his fist, and my cheeks burn watching him.