Chapter 38 Izzy
Chapter thirty-eight
Izzy
"Real?" I ask with an unamused huff.
"Yeah, real." He raises his eyebrows, confused.
"Real is you scare the fuck out of me. Even now. Even after all this time. How could I come back to you when you're the biggest threat?" My words come out harsh, but I don't intend for them to hold venom.
To my surprise, he doesn't look shocked or even taken aback. He challenges me like he always has.
Jett stands, pulling me to him. Our bodies collide as he wraps his arms around me. The tips of his fingertips trail lazy patterns, tracing up and down my arms, sending shivers throughout my entire body.
"I'm no threat to you," he whispers gently.
I scoff in rebuttal. "You are. You would constantly push my boundaries.
You challenged me at every turn. You've always forced me to want more than I was willing to give.
You are the one person who is capable of tearing down every wall I've worked so hard to build.
You're the one to fear the most. You hold the most power and capability to obliterate me, heart and soul.
" The confession stings as it leaves my mouth, and tears prick my eyes.
Jett inhales sharply but stays silent, obviously processing my words.
After a few seconds, his rough, calloused hands gently brush over my cheek. He cups my face in his hands, tilting my head away from the warmth of his chest, and forces me to look up into his eyes—his blue depths, which I never minded getting lost in.
"It's you who crushed me, Iz. You have always held the power; I'd never take it from you."
"But you did. You took it from me the second you made me fall helplessly in love with you—"
My words are cut short when the warmth of his mouth collides with mine.
His lips massage over my own expertly just before he pushes his tongue past my barrier, forcing me to open for him.
I do. His tongue sweeps against mine, setting every part of me that's been dormant completely ablaze.
It's gentle and reassuring. Yet also claiming all at once.
I settle into the kiss, enjoying every second, getting lost in the memory of him and how good we feel together when we're like this.
Jett pulls back slightly to nibble down on my bottom lip. His hands tighten their hold on my hips, and mine tug at his hair.
"Fuck, Beauty," he whispers with a groan.
At that moment, I'm slapped with reality.
"Holy fuck!" I shout, pulling back out of his grasp, completely retreating away, and clasping both of my hands over my mouth. "No, no, no, no. Oh. My. God." My eyes shoot to his in horror, shocked and confused at what we'd just done. "Jett, I'm with Maverick!" I hiss, mortified with myself.
Maverick has been nothing short of amazing. I can't hurt him, not like this.
"Why!?" he shouts, stepping toward me.
"Things with him are just fucking different!" I push the words out through the tears overtaking me.
"Why? Because he makes it easy? He doesn't challenge you?
He lets you stay in your little bubble of what you believe is safety?
" He places one hand on my shoulder, gripping me tightly as the other cups my chin, forcing me to keep my eyes locked on him.
I shake my head; so much fear is pouring through me that I can't form words.
"Decide," he demands firmly.
"What the fuck do you mean!? Jett, how the fuck could you put me in this position—"
"You're with him because you're still fucking scared, and he's safe.
But tell me, will playing it safe keep you happy?
" His words come out firm, each one hitting me directly where they intend to.
"Does his touch make you come alive? Does his kiss feel cosmic?
Does being with him feel like home? Come on, Iz.
You know what you want, and it's standing right in fucking front of you.
Don't let the possibility of us pass you by.
.. again." He begs now, "Choose me. Please, Beauty.
Please, this time and forever. Choose. Me.
" He chokes out the last words as emotion overtakes him.
I can see the tears build up in his eyes and threaten to spill.
My tears flow freely now, and what's left of my broken heart cracks wide open as he presses one soft, gentle peck to my lips.
I don't return it, and he immediately pulls back slightly. I feel his body tense and go rigid against mine.
He says, "This thing between us. It's still here. Still real. You can't deny it. We were never finished, Iz."
I shake my head, briefly closing my eyes as I force the tears back. "We were never finished because we never started, and we can't start now."
Jett's eyes hopelessly search mine for a response he won't receive.
"I'm confused," I confess, honestly, and all of my sadness morphs into anger. "Here I am, just confessing to you about my father's betrayal, and now you've put me in a position in which I’m no better than him!"
“No, Iz. You’re nothing like him. You’re loyal to a fucking fault.”
I don’t want to hear it. “Please, just go.”
Jett pulls back and nods softly. "I'm not giving up.
I haven't yet, and that isn't going to change.
I'll be here, Beauty." He leans in one last time, and just as his hand brushes the hair away from my forehead, he places a soft kiss there.
A kiss that my entire body responds to. My body awakens for him.
Traitor. I shouldn't melt at his touch, but I do.
I stand there, stunned, silent.
He backs away slowly, his eyes trained on me while he approaches the door. "Go to the main house with everyone else. I'll give you time and won't make it hard for you when I show up. You don't need to lock yourself up here the entire trip, hiding from me." With that, he's gone before I know it.
Woah.
What the fuck just happened?
Every feeling, emotion, and single thing I've tried to suppress for that man just came rushing to the surface, and I was unable to contain it this time.
My mind is reeling, and I'm left panting, trying to catch my breath.
What the hell am I going to do?