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“That looks like a gnome. See? There’s his pointy hat.”
It takes me a moment, but I spy it plain as day. As I watch, it changes into an old man with a beard. When I point it out, she sees it immediately.
Over the course of the next few minutes, we see an elephant, a teapot, and a mouse, complete with tail. Then Jo shifts onto her side to look at me.
“I’m dying to kiss you, Chance. I can’t lie.”
Her admission sparks the same desire in me. Though I’ve been stifling it for weeks, her words bring the sweet yearning to life. For a minute, I consider throwing our agreement aside and spanning the distance between us to share another kiss. It’s only with colossal self-control that I lean away from her as I remind myself why we decided to put our physical desires on hold.
As I struggle with myself, she says, “A few weeks ago, we agreed we wanted to get to know each other. I’ve kept parts of myself hidden, but today’s the day I want to tell you why I agreed with you that waiting’s a good idea.”
I cradle her in my arms for the swiftest moment, then set her away from me so it’s easier for us to look each other in the eyes. It also keeps her warm, curvy body at a safer distance.
“I hated Slater. I guess that’s obvious.”
Although I say nothing, I’ve often wondered why, if he’s her father, they spend so little time together. The atmosphere is always strained when he visits our office.
“It was just me and my mom for years. When they married, I was jealous, pure and simple. I didn’t want him there and made it known. I disobeyed him at every turn. Even called him some names. I said, ‘you’re not my father,’ more times than I can count.”
Though I’ve never had a family, I imagine words like that would sting.
“I was rebellious. To be honest, I was a bitch. I…” She not only pauses, but she searches the ground in front of her as if it held answers she’s been seeking for a long time. “I acted out. The boys who showed an interest in me were rewarded with…” She breathes deeply, then pierces me with her green gaze. “With my body.”
I assumed she wasn’t a virgin. These things were explained before they brought the women onto the property. Knowing Jo, I would have never guessed she’d given such a precious thing away so cheaply.
“I was easy. For years. I guess it’s cliche, but I was looking for love in all the wrong places. That was up to and including Chris.” She heaves a sigh. “That’s a story for another day.”
She reaches to twine her fingers with mine and slants me a weak smile.
“All of this is to explain why this self-imposed touching prohibition is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I’ve never given myself a chance to take things slowly. To be honest, I’m enjoying our time together. Looking for shapes in the clouds? I imagine that’s something most girls do in high school. That’s why it’s so special I’m sharing these things with you, Chance.”
She lances me with the most sincere look, as if she’s gazing into my soul. It causes my breath to hitch in my chest.
“Tell me one thing, Jo.”
“Mmm?”
“Is this killing you, too? Is the waiting as hard for you as it is for me?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. It’s harder.”
“Why?”
“Cause, unlike you, Chance, I know what we’re missing.”
I’m glad my cock is covered by the blanket because it kicks against its scratchy protection.
“And one more thing,” she says as she flashes me a wide smile, “when we finally reach the end of this self-imposed marathon, it’s going to bespectacular.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jo
“I brought cupcakes!” Olivia calls over the din in the coed lounge. “For inauguration day.”
All twenty-one splicers who aren’t in what Chance calls the reject barracks are here, as are all the women. There’s the usual cadre of armed soldiers making sure none of the males’ bestial natures bursts forth, but I’m not exactly sure why we need them anymore. All the males but Chance have been integrated with the women for almost two months.
It’s not terrible to have the soldiers around, though. It doesn’t feel as if we’re in an armed encampment. I have to give Slater credit for vetting every soldier on base to ensure they were all calm and compassionate. I don’t know if they harbor any hate in their hearts, but outwardly, they’ve been kind to all of us.
