Jagged Edge

I reply truthfully, “I can’t stand the thought of you sleeping out in the fucking cold.”

That’s not all, but it’ll have to do for now.

“No, I…” He shakes his head a little. “What are you doing to me?”

My turn to blink. “Keeping you warm.”

“You’re crazy.” But his lips tip up in a faint, quick smile. “I should be out, working.”

“Fuck, not tonight,” I whisper and tug him against me until his head is pillowed on my shoulder. “God help me, I’ll pay if I have to, but tonight you watch TV with me and sleep in my arms.”

He rolls his head on my shoulder, and I can feel his gaze on me. “Why?”

It’s barely a whisper, so low I’m not even sure I heard it.

So much I want to say. I try to untangle my thoughts. I tug him closer, and his long body fits against mine, his short hair tickling my neck. I run my fingers through it, through their silkiness.

Because you’re worth it. Because it’s the least I can do. Because… I like you. A lot.

But I don’t say that. Feels like it’s too soon, like he won’t buy it.

“I wanted… to thank you for saving my ass back in that alley. For putting your life on the line for me. I’m sorry I was such a dick to you all this time. I’ll make it up to you.”

It sounds like I’m paying him back for helping me out, and I hate it, but that’s how Jason’s mind works. How his world operates. I get that now.

I wait for his reply, but he says nothing. Then I glance down and find him fast asleep.

Figures.

I stay still, staring at the TV without really seeing anything, the weight of him against me so fucking unbearably sweet I can’t help but wish for more. To have him in my arms every day, every night, to protect him, to kiss him, to keep him.

Mine. He’s mine, I think, nobody else can have him, and holy shit… What the fuck do I do now?

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jason

“That the guy you set Josie to watch?” Adam asks, lounging his slender body against the wall beside me, a lit cig between his lips. He shoves white-blond hair from his face and fixes his icy-blue gaze on me. “That Ryan guy.”

“Raine.” I speak his name automatically, and then what Adam says sinks in. “He’s here?”

“Dude, he’s staring at us. Is he turning into a regular?”

“Nah.” I pass a hand over my hair, lick my lips. Do my best not to glance in the direction Adam is looking. “Is he coming this way?”

“Yeah. Oh boy, he’s hot. Mind if I take a turn with him?”

Irrational anger sparks deep inside of me. “Fuck off.”

“I thought you were avoiding him.”

I clench my fists and don’t answer, because yeah, I’ve been avoiding Raine, but…

Guy’s damn persistent, coming around in the evenings just to check on me, bring me a bagel and coffee in the morning. This has been going on for almost a week now, and I don’t know what he’s up to. It’s suspicious.

But I find myself smiling as he approaches. Jesus, Jason. Get a grip.

“Jase.” His deep blue eyes sweep over me, lingering on my face, then my chest, then my package. I wonder if he realizes what he’s doing. “What’s up?”