Page 43 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

He rubs his thumb over my lips. “You’re breathtaking, June.”

I stare into his eyes. “I am?”

“Yes. And terrible for my self-control.”

I’m blushing, but I push through the involuntary reaction. “You had a serious expression before. Surely, you don’t want to talk about how irresistible I am.”

He chuckles. “You always know what to say to brighten my mood.”

“Well, it’s all by accident, really.” I shrug.

“That’s what makes you special. You’re amazing without trying.” He stares into my eyes with his intense gaze, drinking me in—reelingme in.

I caress his face, needing to touch him. “You’re amazing, too, Jake.”

He takes my hand and kisses my palm. “You might change your opinion about me one day.”

My brows furrow together. “Why?”

“I’m not a perfect man. I’ve done things that most people would find deplorable.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, then decide to ask him the same question I asked April. “Have you killed anyone?”

A shadow of guilt crosses his eyes. Crap. I didn’t expect that reaction from him. I was hoping he’d saynoand I could follow up withthen it’s not that bad. But even if the answer is yes, I won’t walk away from him. I’m already too lost in him.

He shakes his head, closing his eyes for a moment. “No, but I came close.”

The anguish squeezing my heart releases its tight hold. “It wouldn’t change my feelings for you if you had.”

He arches his brows. “And what type of feelings do you have for me, Junebug?”

A bolt of fear strikes my chest, making me tongue-tied. I already confessed to Lachy and Ryan. Why am I so afraid to do the same with Jake?

He cups my cheek, his eyes turning softer. “Fine. I’ll go first. Back on the plane, in the seconds when we didn’t know if we’d survive, you were all I could think about. You were my only regret.”

My heart sinks. “I was your regret?”

“Yes, I regretted not having more time with you.”

“Oh.” I laugh nervously. “That would have been a real downer.”

“It would have been a tragedy, not telling you how crazy I am about you.”

Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Is Jake saying he’s in love with me?

“Jake... I couldn’t breathe when I heard the news. The possibility that I might never see you again...” I take a deep breath to contain my emotions. “The grief almost made me lose my mind. I’m crazy about you too.”

His face splits into a broad smile. “I was hoping you were.”

Unable to control myself, I lean into him, dying for another kiss, but he stops me. “What?”

He pulls back, and the increased distance between us feels like a chasm. “I need to tell you something first.”

“Is it about the thing you did in the past?”

“Yes,” he says through a choke.

“Jake... I don’t need to know.”

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