Page 89 of Burn It Down

Obviously, you sarcastic little shit.

You’re with that mechanic, aren’t you?

Damn it, Jacob.

This better not be what I think it is.

Jake 8:56pm

His name is Dylan.

With trembling hands, I silence my phone and walk back to the fire, suddenly freezing in the cool night air despite the blaze in front of me.

I’m not concerned about the money, but I’d be lying if I said the prospect of changing every aspect of my life all at once didn’t terrify me. My job, my future, my home…hell, my entire daily routine all feel like they’re about to go up in smoke. And without a crystal ball, there’s no way of knowing if the man I’m risking everything for will still be by my side when the dust settles. Andthatis the scariest part of all.

Chapter 24

Dylan

When Jake comes back to stand by the fire, his shoulders are tense, his hands are in his pockets, and his gaze is locked onto the flames like he’s hoping they’ll reveal the answers to all of life’s questions. Politely excusing myself from my current conversation, I walk behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, pulling him into me.

“What’s wrong?”

He leans his head back until it rests on my shoulder. I love how he feels in my arms. I move my hands to his chest just to feel him breathing and he closes his eyes like he’s not going to tell me what’s bothering him.

“Jake, talk to me.”

He takes his phone out of his pocket and hands it to me. In a monotone voice he says, “I think I just told my father we’re dating.”

Keeping one arm around him, I read through the brief conversation and try to reassure him, though the attempt falls flat even to my ears.

“I don’t think so. It just sounds like you’re sticking up for me, reminding him I’m more than what I do for a living.”

Jake turns into me, away from the fire, placing his hands along my jaw while his thumbs brush over my bottom lip.

“This is going to get way worse before it gets better,” he says, staring at my lips. “You know that, right?”

“You’re worth fighting for,” I whisper, trying to keep this moment private even though the guys and their spouses have all faded into the background already. If Jake needs this moment, then he gets it, regardless of who’s around.

“I’ll probably lose everything. I don’t mind starting over though. I mean, I have a good portfolio and my cars alone are worth—”

“Hey,” I cut him off and throw his own words back at him. “I don’t need that stuff. I just need you.”

I’m sure it’s scary as fuck when you’re talking about losing however much money he has, but I’ve never had that kind of money so I’m far more concerned about losinghim.His socioeconomic status has never mattered to me, but I’m learning it’s how he gauges his own value. Thanks, no doubt, to his father’s voice on repeat in his head.

I’m all too familiar with those disapproving voices.

Jake leans forward and seals his mouth over mine. When he breaks the kiss, he grips the back of my neck and keeps our foreheads pressed together.

“I think I’m in love with you,” he admits. My heart pounds in my chest as I process his words, but before I can say anything, he keeps talking. “I know it’s fast and I don’t expect you to say it ba—”

I swallow his words into my mouth, chasing his tongue, needing his flavor on my tastebuds. I nip at his lips with my teeth the way I know he likes and smile when his hands start wandering across my ass, squeezing and pulling me into himself seeking friction as our growing cocks rub against each other.

Remembering where we are, I reach behind me to still his hands and pant against his mouth. “Maybe we should save this party for when we get back to our room?”

“I’m not sure I can wait,” he says, his face showing no traces of joking.

I love that Jake loses his mind when it comes to me. No one has ever made me feel seen or heard the way he does and I hope like hell, I give him a fraction of that in return.

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