Page 119 of The Originals

Colleen closed her eyes, willing away her tears. She wasn’t sure how long she’d stood there in his kitchen with Jack’s arms around her, but he never let go. At least not until she pulled away slightly.

There was nothing more to say.

Colleen took two steps back and turned, heading toward the stairs.

It’s over.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Colleen barely spoke a word after she came downstairs with her bag in hand, ready to go. He offered to take her to breakfast, but she claimed she wasn’t hungry. The ride was about twenty-five minutes to the bus depot. When he pulled into a spot, she immediately got off.

This was not the way he wanted to end things. If he was being completely honest with himself, he didn’t want it to end at all. But sometimes life was about the hard choices. As he’d told Colleen weeks ago, just because she liked something didn’t mean it was good for her. It rang true for Jack now.

He would never be able to give her what she needed or wanted. Colleen would make sacrifices to be with him. She’d give up her own life in exchange for his.And I love her enough to not let her do that.She wouldn’t make that decision on her own, so Jack made it for her.

She hooked her bag over her shoulder and stared down at the gravel in the lot. “You don’t have to wait with me.”

“Coll.” He reached for her hand, but she pulled away from him.

She glanced up, and her eyes were welled with tears, threatening to fall. “It’ll be easier if you don’t.”

Jack dropped his hand to his side. “Alright.”

She rushed forward, gave him a quick kiss, and backed up. “Bye, Jack.”

Colleen walked about five feet. He had no intention of leaving the lot until she was safely on the bus. But he’d respect her wishes. Suddenly, she stopped and spun around and rushedtoward him. She threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tight. Her body shook against him, and he knew she was crying.

“I could stay,” she muttered. “I want to stay with you.”

Fuck.He wrapped his arm around her waist, hugging her close.

She could stay. He could stake his claim, and it would be done. Jack had no doubt in his mind she’d stand by his side until the end. But this was his life. Not hers. Colleen deserved more than anything he had to give. Keeping her as his own would be selfish. Jack recognized it. He tightened his hold, driving his hand into her hair. It was an internal struggle between what he wanted and what he knew was right.

“Please let me stay with you, Jack,” she whispered.

Jack knew it would be hard letting her go. But he hadn’t imagined it this heartbreaking and gut wrenching. He hugged her again, memorizing her scent and her body against his. He’d need this memory down the road. He slowly released her and grabbed her wrists behind his neck, unraveling her hold. He pressed her arms to her side.

“No,” he said.

He stared back at her, watching the hope drain from her face. Jack knew what she wanted to hear. And he knew he couldn’t say it. That’s how much she meant to him.

She cocked her head, smiled, and hiked up, pressing her lips against his. He immediately cupped her jaw, deepening the kiss. His tongue dipped between her lips, and her warm sweet breath drifted over his mouth. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and he tightened his hold over her throat, dropped his other hand down her arm, and clasped her hand.I’m gonna remember this, darlin’.

For the first time, Colleen ended the kiss and stepped back, letting go of his hand. It slipped away, and he let it. This was the right thing to do.

Colleen laughed, which seemed so out of place with all the raw emotion. “Last chance to keep me, Jack.”

He ground his teeth, forcing himself not to give in and take her home. It’s what he wanted. He reached out, swiping the tears from her cheeks.

“This is my life. Not yours.”

She sniffled, whispering, “It could be ours.”

So fucking sweet.

He cupped her jaw. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

Her lips parted, and she shook her head. Jack refused to hear a rebuttal.

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