Page 104 of Steel

“Brat.” He runs his thumb over my lower lip, teasing it. “What about you? I’m guessing you had to use those lines often, wildfire.”

“Not even close.” I kiss the pad of his thumb, and he drops his hand to my hip. “I don’t really date either. Relationships and I don’t mesh well.”

“How so?”

“You mean besides the shining example of love I got from my parents?” I hitch an eyebrow.

He smirks. “Yeah, besides that.”

I tip my head back, looking up at the sky and thinking. “I guess I’ve always just been a little too closed off for anything to work. And even when I tried, whatever I had to give was never quite enough.”

“Why do you say that?”

For so many reasons he probably doesn’t want to hear about. It’s not sexy for a girl to carry around this emotional baggage. If Mom taught me anything, it’s that men prefer their women compliant and their personalities easy to swallow. I’m none of those things.

But Jameson doesn’t take his eyes off me, and I know he won’t let this go without an answer.

“Technically, I have had one real boyfriend,” I admit. “But I was barely eighteen at the time, so I’m not sure how serious you can consider it. He was a little older than me, and I could never seem to give him what he wanted… Saying I love you. Moving in. He was pushy about it, but I guess my heart’s always been resistant.”

“I don’t like him already.”

I smile. “You wouldn’t. When I broke up with him, he got back at me by sleeping with my mom.”

“You’re kidding?” Jameson’s back straightens.

“Wish I was. But it’s not her fault. I wasn’t living with her anymore, so she didn’t know who he was. He played both of us. I stopped trying to date after that. Figured it was a better investment to just focus on myself.”

“When are you gonna get me that list, Tempe?” Jameson brushes my hair off my face when a breeze kicks it around.

My eyebrows pinch. “What list?”

“Every fucker I need to kill for hurting you.”

I almost laugh, thinking he’s joking. But he draws a path over my cheek, up to the scar that cuts through my eyebrow, and I’m certain he means it.

“Never.” I wrap my arms around Jameson’s neck and pull him closer. “You’re not getting into any more trouble for me. Besides, it’s in the past. What do they say about that? It’s what makes us who we are.”

“So your past made you perfect then?”

I laugh. “More like… emotionally damaged and untrusting. But stronger, nonetheless.”

Jameson leans in, brushing his lips over mine. “Strongest fucking woman I’ve ever met.”

He claims me with his kiss, pulling my body to his, while the warm desert breeze flutters around us.

I never had a good example of what love is growing up. I didn’t understand the point when it seemed to hurt so damn much. And after everything with my first boyfriend, I figured maybe I’d never get it.

But with Jameson holding me, I dare to think maybe it’s possible. Maybe love can heal wounds instead of just slicing them open.

When Jameson breaks the kiss, I look up at him, framed by the bright blue sky. His gray eyes watch me as he traces his thumb over my lower lip. And I can’t help wondering what he sees when he looks at me or how hemakes sense of my mess. But I swear he looks past all the broken pieces my life left behind and understands what’s beyond it.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” I ask, brushing my hands down the front of his cut. “You said we’re out here to talk, right?”

He frowns, nodding. “We need to talk about your mom.”

I press my lips together, and my heart constricts. “Did you find her body?”

“Not exactly.” He grabs my hands and presses my palms to his chest. “Apparently, there’s no body to find. She’s not dead.”

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