Page 41 of Savage Scream

Her expression morphs into a maybe as she shrugs, confusing me even more. I chuckle.

“Are you ever going to tell me?”

Again she shrugs, but her face looks sincere and sweet so I can’t even be mad.

“It would mean a lot to me to know it,” I state, offering her a small smile, and she matches it.

“You wanted to speak earlier. You opened your mouth to. Then got mad when you couldn’t.” I remind her and her smile falls. “I was under the impression that you don’t speak because you choose not to. A way for you to control things. But it didn’t feel like that. If you wanted to speak to me, you would have. I think.” My lips thin as I remember how frustrated she seemed to get with herself, slapping her hands down on the bed when she couldn’t get the words out. “Are you scared to talk to me?”

Her breathing increases even as she shrugs and nods, but then shakes her head.

“Why are you scared to talk to me?”

Again, she shrugs, and I frown.

“Does it feel too intimate?”

Her eyes flare a little, and I feel like I’ve hit the nail on the head, but she shrugs again. Maybe she doesn’t know why she can’t find the ability to speak out loud to me.

I shift then, rolling to my side so we are face to face. Nose to nose.

“Tonight has been a lot for you, hasn’t it?”

When she gives me a slight nod, I continue.

“It was brave of you to come here. To show me your scars.” I run my fingers over the raised flesh of one of those scars on her arm. “To trust me enough to give me your virginity.” I reach around her and draw her closer, pressing my lips to hers in a brief kiss. “If you ever decide to share your voice with me, I want you to know that I will treasure that sacred moment.”

Her eyes glass over then, and she tries to hide it by claiming my lips again. I let her. I don’t want to push her. As far as I’m concerned, this thing between us has exploded today, and it’s been a lot for both of us.

It’s been good. Really fucking good. But a lot.

12

DEE

Feeling safe in someone’s arms isn’t something I thought I’d ever feel, yet here I am, in Jared’s arms, in his bed, after giving him my virginity.

I thought I’d feel different. Like it would be a life-changing moment where I’d finally grow up and be a woman.

I’m still the same person I was before. Just now, I have this needy ache inside me that wants more.

More of Jared. More of his dick. More of his kisses.

Just more.

Which is a problem.

Now, in the morning hours of Tuesday, I do a day count, and calculate that I turn eighteen in a week and a half.

A week and a half!

That’s all I have with Jared.

A week and a half.

Fuck. How am I ever going to be able to walk away?

I’d nearly spoken out loud to him last night until I realised I couldn’t. I don’t know why. It was fear that stopped me, which fucking surprised me. I am in control of my voice, so why wouldn’t it just come?

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