Page 54 of Two Chambered Heart

“Well, the lake was fucking cold,” her teeth chattering as she spoke.

“I can’t believe you jumped,” Kayden said.

Jason cocked an eyebrow. “I very much believe she jumped.” He pulled his sweatpants on and added, “I just can’t believe she screamed.”

Kayden laughed. “Very true. Not one to back down from a challenge, are you, Little Fox?”

Corey shrugged. “I’m just competitive.”

“We know,” Jason said, shaking his head. She could have sworn he was suppressing a smile.

When both guys had finished dressing, Jason produced a pack of tobacco from his leather coat and sat on the ledge with his legs dangling as he rolled a cigarette. He lit up his smoke as Corey plopped herself down beside him.

He cut her a sharp look, pulling the nicotine deep into his lungs before releasing it through his nose, the smoke spiraling up in front of his face, dancing as it rose. She held his eyes. Then she lifted her hand up and reached out, taking the cigarette from between his lips. He watched her bring it to her own mouth and take a drag, letting her head fall back as she exhaled, the smoke from her lungs mingling with the remains of his. She looked at him from the side of her eye, taking another drag. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her face.

She smirked, breathing out and bringing the cigarette from her lips back to his. His hand came up to take it from her, not touching her skin—his eyes slightly narrowed, like he was wondering what she was playing at.

“You’re a smoker?” he asked her, after they’d passed the cigarette back and forth, drag for drag. He could have easily given her a fresh one. She noted the fact that he hadn’t, that he was sharing this with her.

“No. Sometimes,” she amended. “Usually only on a late bar shift, just for an excuse to take a break, go out back and get some fresh air. There was always someone willing to offer one up. I used to bartend.”

“I know,” said Jason, finally looking away. He tapped the cigarette on a rock near him to ash it, and then passed it back to her. His long fingers held it so delicately between them as she accepted the smoke from him.

“Right. Sometimes I forget you have my entire life in a little folder somewhere.”

“It would do you well not to forget that.”

Corey wasn’t sure if that was a threat, a warning, or simply a fact.

“Obviously, it didn’t havecasual smokerandavid runnerin there. Seems like all the fun parts of me are missing from the records.”

A faint smile from him, as she blew out more smoke.

“Did you sleep better after you left the couch?” she asked.

“Fine,” he answered, that smile vanishing.

“Not me,” she said, trying to bridge the gap once again.

He just hummed noncommittally.

“I was sleeping fine until you woke me up.” She took another drag of the cigarette and then held it out to him. He took it. It was almost at its end. God knew what Kayden was doing to entertain himself while Corey tried to worm her way inside Jason. At least the cigarette was warming her up a bit.

Again, Jason didn’t respond.

“How often do you have night terrors?” A direct question this time.

“Leave it.”

After a beat, she decided to push anyway. “What was it about?”

Jason’s eyes shuttered. The little warmth they’d held earlier cooled, becoming as icy as the lake had been. He pressed the butt of the cigarette out, killing the embers, and made to stand up.

“Jason.” His name was a plea as she looked up at him.Just let me in, she thought. She wastrying.

“Don’t bother, Corey.” He stalked off, grabbing his helmet and putting it on. When she turned to follow Jason’s retreat, Kayden was perched against his bike, watching them. Had he been watching their entire interaction? Probably. What else would he be doing?

Corey got up, trying to gauge his expression. There was no anger in it—curiosity maybe.

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