Page 93 of Legacy

“If I’m honest, I don’t either. You make me different.”

“And you make me lose all good sense. What you do for me and my daughter. You’re such a light in this dark fucking world, and if you’re not careful, it’ll go out. I can’t stand the thought of that.”

“Don’t treat me like I’m fragile.” I brush his hand with my thumb. “I’m not.”

“I know, Reagan. You’re so fucking strong. It makes it impossible to resist you.”

“Is this you trying?” I smile, not able to help myself.

“And failing miserably.”

He makes it seem so simple when I know this isn’t. But here in this dark room, he flays the truth open and forces us to face it.

I start to lean in but pause halfway, waiting for him to meet me or reject me. Forcing him to admit what we’ve both been avoiding. Craving the connection.

Jesse only hesitates for a fraction of a second before he meets my kiss. His hand wraps the side of my head—fingers tangling in my hair—as he pulls me to him. The softness of his mouth searching mine contrasts with the roughness of the short stubble on his jaw, and it’s everything I need.

Gentle and teasing. Controlling and claiming.

His teeth sink into my lower lip as he pulls back, tugging until it slips free, and I drag my tongue over it. Savoring how he tastes on me.

My restraint snaps as I grab the sides of his face, and he kisses me deeper. He takes me somewhere only he can. My body ignites at his touch, at the sweep of his tongue against my teeth. I press closer, and he’s all I want. All I need.

I’m still breathing heavily as the kiss breaks. Still hanging on, refusing to open my eyes.

“Jesse.” It’s a plea and a moan and a need all wrapped in one.

It doesn’t matter if we’re testing our limits; if I can’t have this man, I don’t think I can stand it.

“Please.”

Jesse grazes his thumb over the apple of my cheek, and I blink my eyes open. “What were you doing before I got here, Reagan?”

Before he got here?

I’m still in a fog from the kiss, so it takes my mind a moment to catch up with his question. But when it does, my eyes widen, and I pull back.

His gaze darts to my book on the nightstand.

“Reading.” I swallow hard.

“Just reading? Don’t be embarrassed.” He tightens his grip on the back of my head when I try to scoot away. “I can see it in your eyes, sweetheart. On your cheeks. I can smell you in the air. It’s the most intoxicating thing.”

My heart races as his free hand finds my thigh, slowly tracing upward.

“I’ve been an asshole.” His hand continues to climb. “Let me make it up to you.”

The sincerity in his eyes bleeds straight through me. But when I try to reach for him in return, he stops me, slowly shaking his head.

“What?”

“I want to take care ofyou. Not the other way around.” He sets my hand on the bed. “Show me what you were doing when I knocked on the door.”

His gaze drops to my book on the nightstand and the drawer.

Heat climbs my cheeks as I sit staring at him, waiting for him to tell me he’s joking. But his expression doesn’t so much as crack with the challenge.

And like it always is with Jesse—I can’t help myself.

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