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I laughed. That was the furthest thing from unexpected. I’d imagined some version of that since the first day we met. Instead of admitting that, I gestured toward my pants, now discolored with my cum. “I’m going to clean up. I’ll be right back.”
Sid leaned forward, moving to get up, and there was panic in her eyes. I wrapped my hand around her wrist.
“Do not fucking move, Trouble. I expect you to be in my bed when I get back. We’ll figure everything else out later.” I raised my brow, pausing before getting up.
She nodded. “Okay.”
I leaned down, kissing the tip of her nose before grabbing a shirt and jogging pants and heading to the washroom. I quickly washed off in the shower and got dressed. My eyes caught on my reflection in the mirror, and I smirked at the scratches she’d left on my neck. She’d marked me too. A twinge tightened my chest. I was completely fucked.
She was mostly asleep when I climbed in beside her, satisfaction coursing through me that I’d worn her out. I grinned against her neck. This was the second time she was sleeping in my bed, breaking rule number two.
She rotated, curling into my chest, and I pulled her in tighter, sliding my fingers through her hair. She hummed softly and snuggled in closer, her fists clasping my shirt like she was unwilling to let go. Her voice was heavy with exhaustion, barely awake. “I’m not going to fall in love with you when you have to leave.”
Fuck. My chest caved with the ache of her words. I tucked my face against her neck and took a deep breath in, waiting until she was deep asleep to reply. “I can’t promise you the same.”
EIGHTEEN
SIDNEY
Jax’s breathfanned over the side of my neck with each exhale, and the heat of his body wrapped around mine and warmed me through my core. My ribs squeezed, and I snuggled deeper, burying my face into his chest, allowing myself a few seconds of indulgence in this quiet moment. I was warm, comfortable, secure, and an overwhelming sense of safety had my breath hitching. I’d broken rule number two last night, the one that was supposed to keep me from catching feelings. The one I should’ve known better. I couldn’t hold on to Jax, but he’d quickly become an addiction I wasn’t sure I wanted to break. At least not yet.
I worked my way from under his arm, not ready to face that thought head-on, and gathered my things as quietly as I could. Still fully dressed from last night, I was able to escape quickly down the stairs.
Lucas, Alex, and River were already awake, and they gave me friendly hellos with knowing smiles.
I fought down the blush threatening my cheeks. “Morning.”
“Want some pancakes?” Alex asked, gesturing to the full plate on the counter with his spatula.
“I’ve got to take off, but thanks, though,” I answered, making my way to the door, where Lucas stood with his hands in his pockets. He wore a crisp white T-shirt and a ball cap with the Huskies logo on it.
He greeted me with a grin, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Everything okay? How’s Piper?”
He shook his head. “She’s great. Everything is great.”
I wasn’t sure I could believe him with how he stared at me. “Spit it out, Lucas.”
“I just don’t want to see this all fall apart at the end of the year.”
“Are you worried I’m going to be hurt?” I tried for my most nonchalant cocky tone.
“No, I’m terrifiedhewill be.”
I took a step back, not prepared for that.
Lucas held up his hand. “You’ve got to understand Jax has been closed off since Marcus died. Sure, he’s messed around, but you’re different. You’ve opened something in him we’ve all noticed.”
All the guys nodded.
“But…” Lucas paused.
“But Jax’s leaving.” My voice was quiet. “What are you asking of me, Lucas?”
“Fuck if I know.” He shook his head. “If I had a single clue how to go about this without the disaster coming at you in the end, I would tell you.”
I patted his shoulder and tried to act more confident than I felt. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
