Page 144 of Second Chance Mates

My eyes float down to his lips. Beautiful lips.

He loves the way I taste.

I flinch from the sudden voice inside my head. But then I realise it’s not a voice. It’s something I’ve heard before. My heart pounds against my ribcage, and I twist off the clip on my finger to stop the machine from going crazy.

My eyes ping to his, and this time, they’re open and looking straight at me.

He told me I am the most beautiful girl he’s ever laid his eyes on.

“Ava?”

My eyes cloud with tears within seconds. A hand presses to my chest, and I can’t catch my breath. All of the air has been sucked out of my lungs.

“Baby.” He moves forward instantly. “What’s the matter?”

I love you.

Tears stream down my face at the memory of Jaxon’s voice.

He told me I am the love of his life.

No one could replace me. They’d never compare.

No matter who came after me.

My hands fly to my head, and I cry out. “Stop. Stop,” I chant to myself.

Jaxon hovers over me and reaches for my arm, but it burns. It aches. “Ava, look at me. Please.”

I shake my head.

He told me I am the love of his life.

Love of his life.

Love.

Love.

Love.

My throat releases a sob as Jaxon wraps his arms around me, attempting to calm my emotions, but it only heightens them. “Talk to me.” He tucks my head under his chin. “Ava. What’s going on?”

I grit my teeth and shove at his chest with all my strength. He barely budges, but he glances down at me with pinched brows. “Baby–”

“Please,” I whimper. “Please don’t touch me right now.”

Jaxon stands back with clear distress in his eyes. “Okay. I–”

“Do you love me?”

The room turns silent.

“You said it to me,” I whisper. “I heard you say it. Did you even mean it?”

He pulls his head back an inch, eyelashes twitching at my sudden question. “Of course I meant it, Ava. I have been in love with you for a long time.”

“More or less than you loved Julia?”

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