Page 66 of Burn With Me

I’m an adult, and IletChris do this to me. Let him turn me into a shaking leaf when I could be a great tree that shelters others from storms created by men like him.

Lying down, the tile of the floor is cool against my cheek. There are whispers from some of the women just outside the door, and I hear one of them tell another to get Lenni.

She may be my best friend, but she’s not who I want right now.

Sitting up, I wipe the tears from my face and unlock the door. No one asks me what’s wrong, but I can feel the curious stares. Getting dressed quickly, I grab my bag and rush out, having one of the bouncers at the employee entrance hail me a cab.

As soon as I’m on my way home, I pull out my phone and send a message to Jackson, even though it’s just past midnight.

I don’t want to be alone tonight. First night in a new place and all…

It isn’t until I’m walking into The Bryant that he answers me.

Be there soon.

Warmth floods my chest knowing that regardless of how we left things this afternoon, he’s still dropping whatever he’s doing to come to my side.

Part of me wonders what it is hewasdoing, though. Why is he up this late?

All my clothes are still in boxes, so I don’t bother changingout of my leggings and oversized NYU sweatshirt while I brush my teeth and wash my face. When there’s a knock at my door, I race from my bedroom to answer it.

Jackson is there, wearing dark gray joggers and a plain black shirt, with his hair ruffled as though he crawled out of bed to come. We’re both silent, just staring at each other for a few seconds before tears line my eyes, and I launch myself into his arms.

“I’m sorry,” I cry.

“Me too.” He doesn’t ask me what’s wrong as I grip his shirt like I did earlier when I didn’t want him to leave, soaking it through with my tears. He bends and scoops me into his arms, kicking the door shut before bringing me to the bedroom and laying me down on the Egyptian cotton sheets.

As soon as he gets in the bed with me, I wrap my hands in his hair and attack his lips, needing to feel something other than the misery that’s taken up the last two hours of my night.

Jackson molds his mouth to mine, slowly caressing my tongue with his as we lay on our sides, his body cradling mine—protecting me like a sanctuary I’ve gone to for refuge.

When we pull back for air, it’sthenthat he asks, “Is everything okay?”

“No,” I answer immediately. “I’m a mess. I’m confused and unsure of absolutely everything in my life right now. It’s like I’m the only one on a train and can see that the tracks have been removed up ahead, but there’s no way to stop. And a voice keeps telling me to jump, but I’m scared. I’m fucking terrified even though the voice is saying it’s okay. That everything will be fine if I just jump. But Ican’t.”

A fresh batch of tears fall, and I wipe them away angrily, frustrated that I’ve been crying so much today. Jackson pulls me to him, and rolls onto his back so that I’m lying on top of him. “You can, Red. You can jump when you’reready. I’ll be right there to catch you when you do, I promise.”

Hugging him like a koala, I bury my face in his neck. Hisspicy sandalwood scent smells different, a sharp freshness buried underneath where there’s normally sweet vanilla. It makes the space between my legs clench as I nuzzle further into him, inhaling deeply.

My legs squeeze around his waist as I press my center directly over his growing length, eliciting a groan from his lips. “What are you doing, Red?”

Dragging my lips over his skin, I kiss my way up his chest. “Just give me this, Jackson. Ineedthis tonight.”

His hands cup my ass as I roll my hips. “Ginny….”

My lips find his, and I kiss him passionately as I continue rocking into him through our clothes—working into a frenzy so that, hopefully, he gets lost in the pleasure before he can turn me down.

He breaks our kiss and grins up at me. “What are we in high school?”

Jerking my hips, I relish the way his eyes glaze over as his mouth falls open. “You seem to like it just fine. It’s called compromise, Jackson. Since we have four more days till the month is up.”

A tingling sensation starts to bloom in my spine as he thrusts upward. The ridge of his head pressing against my clit, and even though it’s through our clothes, I swear it feels just as good.

“Three,” he rasps. He’s helping me ride him, fingers clenched into the sides of my upper thighs. “It’s technically Sunday morning. So, there’s three days left. And we can spend every one of them compromising if you want.”

Leaning deeper over him, I get the friction I need and feel my orgasm drawing closer. “Jackson, I’m gonna come.”

“Let go, baby.Jump. I got you,” he whispers into my hair as I bury my face against his neck once more, crying out as my release tears through me.

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