Page 44 of Reclaim

“These ones of you two are something else.” She points at the collage of selfies Dakota made me take with her. Each with a different filter.

“I love these too.” I point to a series of photos where she’s captured Hendrix, Sasha, and me in deep conversation. “It’s probably the most honest photo of us.”

She stares at the image, then turns to look at me. ”You guys look like you’ve lived lifetimes together.”

“The three of us grew up together and did absolutely everything together.” I put my arm around her shoulder and steer her to the couch while we’re talking. “Then one thing led to another and everything changed.”

“Because of the shooting?” she asks. Tucked into my arm on the couch, I haven’t been able to keep my hands off her in any way since she arrived.

“Before that.”

“Really? What happened?”

“Just the usual. I realised a little too late, and I fucked up.”

“Anybody told you your explanations need work?”

I poke her side. “You’re not the first person.”

“Stop it.” She giggles and moves my hand.

“So, you’ve never been in a room with Sasha and Hendrix before?” I ask.

“No. I only spoke to them separately. Hendrix said everything was complicated but I thought he meant between you and her.”

“What did you ask him?”

“If you and Sasha had plans to get back together.” She buries her face in my chest, embarrassed by her answer.

“I can see how that could come up, but it’s them who are in love with one another,” I reveal.

She sits up and faces me. “Oh my god, really?” Her eyes bulge out of her head in surprise. “That’s like romance novel type stuff.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Did they become close taking care of Dakota. Is that how it came about?” she pries.

“No, nothing like that. They’ve always been in love with one another.”

She tilts her head at me.

“Don’t look at me like that, I didn’t sleep with her knowing how she felt.”

“I’m not looking at you like anything, I’m just trying to piece the puzzle together. Did you feel something for her, that’s why you slept together?”

Rubbing my temples with one hand, I close my eyes and hide my face from her. Picking up on my hesitation, she climbs onto my lap. One leg on either side of my thighs, she balances herself on her knees.

“Look at me Jagger,” she orders. Letting my head fall back on the couch, my tired eyes find hers. Her insight is unnerving. “Can I sit here?”

I slide my hands up her legs, and sit them right under her arse. My movements answer her question loud and clear. I lower her onto me, a hand squeezing each cheek, till I feel her body line up with mine.

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” My voice is low, desire seeping through.

Resting her forearms on my shoulders, her hands sink into my hair and she instinctively begins to rock her body against me. “You can’t blame everything on yourself Jagger,” she pants.

“I’m just not there yet, Em.” My grip on her flesh tightens and I slide her up and down my covered length. “I did a lot of stuff I’m not proud of.”

Lowering her head to my neck, she nips and licks my skin, making her way to my mouth. “People make mistakes, Jagger.” She whispers my name like a prayer. She continues to my mouth until her tongue opens up the seam of mine. Leading the kiss, each stroke s a gift from her heart to mine. She gives me strength, she offers me forgiveness, and delivers redemption. “You’re so much more than yours.”

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