Page 49 of Jayce

“Have you talked to Jayce about any of this?”

I nod. “He knows about the therapy. He even helps with my stretches.”

“Have you told him your fears?”

The strength of my sobs increases, shaking my shoulders. “What if he rejects me because of this?”

Priscilla’s arm slides across by back. I rest my head on her shoulder. “If he was going to do that, he’d have done it when you first told him. And he wouldn’t have let his bull speak to you.”

“I’m scared.”

“Seems to me you were terrified he wasn’t your mate, and now that you know he is, you’ve found another excuse to feel afraid. Either he’s everything you’ve ever wanted, or he isn’t.”

Chapter 33

Jayce

If a stare could burn a hole in the back of my head, Circe’s would. I feel her rage until Shay and I are out of sight.

If only there were a “crazy” test before sleeping with someone.

I haven’t reached for Shay’s hand or said a word for fear of saying the wrong thing and sending her running from me again.

Even though we’ve only shared a bed the one time while I held her, I slept better each night knowing she was near. I haven’t had a wink of sleep since she abandoned me.

In our living room, I can no longer think of this home as mine anymore. It’s ours. She plops into the leather chair. She chose a single seater to keep me at a distance. A separation I won’t stand for a second longer.

She squeals when I scoop her up and sit back down in the chair with her in my lap. I rub circles along her back.

“I’m dying inside. Please talk to me.”

Her bottom lip trembles. I resist pulling it in between my teeth.

“I don’t understand why you love me.”

I’ve never said those words to her, but they’re true. From the moment I saw her.

“You’re my mate, of course, I love you.”

She takes a deep breath before continuing. “How can you say you love me? You barely know me. You don’t know what hurts me. You don’t know my fears. You only know what’s on the surface.”

I wanted to interrupt her, but she spoke so fast I didn’t get a chance.

“My past relationships with the sweet butts hurts you. That I haven’t heard your clock ticking hurts you. Finding out your parents aren’t your parents and that they don’t even know it hurts you. Your aversion to kids when you believe kids are a deal breaker for me hurts you. Not knowing Priscilla was your twin all your life hurts you. Your birth mother walking in and telling you what a monster your sperm donor is hurts you.” She opens her mouth to interrupt. “I’m not done.” I tell her with my finger over her lips.

“Fears. You’re afraid I won’t want you when you actually tell me you never want kids. You’re afraid I won’t want you if sex isn’t an option for us. You’re afraid I’ll tie you down and keep you from living your dreams. You’re afraid I’ll resent you if I love you as you are and don’t ask you to change.”

I could keep going but her tears flow faster the more I admit I know about this woman who controls how many beats per minute my heart pumps.

“Show me,” she whispers.

I swallow the lump in my throat over what she might mean when she says show me.

She straddles my lap. All my willpower can’t keep my dick from rising with her core resting on him.

I should object. How do I do that without it sounding like I don’t want her?

She cups my cheeks with her hands. “I may not have told you the whole truth…”

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