56
JACKSON
He answers on the second ring. “Hey, everything okay?”
“Where are you?”
“I haven’t even left the parking lot. I had to wait for Charlie and another agent.”
“Pick me up out front. These two are ganging up on me. Apparently, they want time alone.”
Given the glass wall and staff staring at us, I highly doubt anything indecent is planned.
Still, as I leave, I shout for all the officers to hear, “Good luck getting your dick up with all those pain meds!”
Ethan is quiet and contemplative on the ride, and my edginess reemerges. I center myself by concentrating on how his hand grips the gearstick—it’s kind of hot. More and more, Aurora’s attraction to him is understandable.
He parks in the underground garage below his apartment and glances in the rearview mirror, checking the location of the agents who followed us. He kills the engine and faces me, but he avoids my gaze.
I can’t handle the tension and weave my fingers through his thick hair. “What’s wrong?”
He leans against the seat and blows out a breath. “I want to talk to you about something while we’re alone, but I don’t want to upset you.”
Trepidation has my temples pulsating. “Just tell me.”
A rosy flush blooms across his cheeks, spreading to his neck and ears. Fuck, it must be bad.
What if I read him all wrong?
No, friends don’t touch the way we do, don’t connect the way we do.
Maybe the team traded me.
Or maybe Ethan changed his mind about us. Why wouldn’t he? I slammed my head into his chin. I destroyed our house and put everyone in danger.
“I’m sorry.” I clench my jaw to hold back the tears. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. It’ll never happen again. I’ll?—”
He cradles my face, and his eyes meet mine. “Stop. That’s not it.” His fingers glide into my hair. “I want this with you, but…” He glances away. “I’m not… For you, I can be soft. But if I do something you don’t like, I’m worried it’ll ruin everything.”
He’s concerned he’ll be too rough and I’ll have a flashback or get spooked. He’s being overprotective, as usual.
And I leap from the cliff, hoping he doesn’t let me free fall—or knock me out.
I fist his shirt, and his eyes widen, his lips parting slightly. I crash my mouth to his, and he freezes, but only for a second.
Holy fucking shit. I’m kissing Ethan.