Page 99 of Give Me Redemption

After all, I’m about to take down good people. Maybe I deserve the hell I’m about to go through.

So, fuck it all, right?

I’m going to live in the moment while I’ve got him. I’m done torturing myself.

Jace and I have talked about everything. I’ve shared as much as I can with him, and he’s an open book when it comes to me. We’ve already decided when we get home, we’re going to Red together. He’s going to show me the world he lives in, and I’m going to convince him to show me the basement.

He will.

And I’ll do what I’m supposed to.

I’ll gather my team and I’ll give them the signal when I’m inside, and that’s when I’ll sign my soul over to the devil.

And I’ll wait for the fallen angels to swoop me up and drag me down to eternal fire. I’ll drown in it, and it’ll be justified.

We climb off the bike, and I know my hair is all over my head, so I redo it, thinking how much I love riding that bike because I get to be close to him.

“That is seriously one of my favorite things to do now.” I smile and he smiles back.

“It is one of my favorite things,” he replies, seeming to approve that I love it.

He has no idea why I love it, though.

He lifts his backwards hat before placing it down again. He’s in jeans and a navy cotton T-shirt that matches his eyes.

Just looking at him causes a painful throb between my legs and has my skin tingling. I’ve wanted this man since recycled bags and first dates at Hudson’s.

The torture it’s been being around him and not being able to freely express that—it’s almost indescribable. Imagine walking in the desert for days and coming across a lake of beautiful clear water and never being able to dive in.

We walk out of the shop, me lagging behind a little, trying to take in every moment, and then I look out at the pasture and it takes my breath away.

We’re soaked in twilight, the sky a beautiful shade of soft blue-purple swirls. The horses graze, and fireflies glitter the fields. The mountains stand proud in the distance, proving that some things are bigger than us all.

It’s amazing.

I take in a deep breath, breathing in the air as the wind touches me. I look over at Jace with a smile, but the way he’s gazing at me has my breath catching.

My lungs choke, and my heart bleeds. I could cry.

He looks at me like I’m the view I was just taking in. Like I’m the only thing worth seeing out here. Chills run up and down my arms, and my spine tingles.

I’m drowning.

I need him.

He steps closer before sliding his hands into his pockets. The muscles in his forearms twitch, and the ache between my legs intensifies.

I fantasize that I am in another life. I trick my mind and try to shut out the things I’m going to have to do.

My eyes go from his to his lips, and I wonder if I’ll combust if he kisses me. Will everything around us disappear? Will I be able to stop?

I step closer, desperate to find out. I reach out and run my finger over his forearm.

“Don’t do this if you don’t mean it, Dalton,” he murmurs, looking restrained.

My eyes jump up to his. His jaw clenches, and the heartbeat in his neck pulsates against his skin. Skin that I want under my hands.

I hate myself.