Page 57 of Run to Me
“Why’d you stop?”
“Tell me you love me.”
“What?” His eyes are wild, hair mussed.
“Tell me you love me. The same way you did him, but I want you to mean it.”
“You know how I feel, Jace.”
“I want to hear it. Over and over as you come from my mouth.”
“I . . . I love you,” he says softly.
“Louder,” I demand.
“I love you. God, I love you, Jace. I fucking love you.” His words shift to long moaning when I go back to servicing his dick with my mouth, adding slight suction to the tip on my way up.
“I love you,” he shouts, thrashing underneath me as he shoots down my constricting throat.
“I love you,” he whispers. “Only you.”
Pulling off with a pop, I lick my lips, collecting any missed drops from his skin. I place a kiss to his tip and crawl up his body, throat aching and heart sulking from the pain it can already feel from the blow that’s about to come tomorrow.
“I know, baby.” I say against his lips. “I know. I love you too.”
I guess I get to have one thing more than Glen after all.
Twenty-Six
He’s leaving today. Forever. No one prepares you for moments like this. For the already-there hole in your heart to expand from having to let go of the person who showed it how to beat properly to begin with.
Jace runs a finger over my bottom lip. “Want to get something to eat before dropping me at the airport?”
I shake my head, scooting in closer. “Just lie here with me until it’s time to go.”
“For the whole two hours?”
“Yes,” I rasp. “For as long as you can.” Fighting back tears, I rub my face into his chest. I’d never gone looking for him at the farm, because Mom wouldn’t tell me where it was at first, and when I finally learned the location I was afraid of him pushing me away when I showed up. I was worried it had been too long, and told myself I’d only go if he asked.
I waited for him. For him to write me back. For him to run to me. Now I’m waiting for him to leave, and soon I’ll wait for myheart to fill the gap he leaves behind. I don’t know if it’ll ever happen. I don’t think I can really let him go.
Tears hang at the corner of my eyes and I squeeze them tighter, wrapping an arm around him, wishing it was enough to hold him here forever. I thought I could make one last time be enough. It’ll never be enough. I’ll always want more. Always.
“Please don’t go,” I say against his skin. “Stay longer.”
He rakes his fingers through my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “It’s already been decided. You can’t take back what we agreed upon after I’ve already held up my end of the bargain.”
“I’ll go with you then. If it has to do with you no longer wanting to be here and facing our family.”
“No, baby.” He sighs against me. “You belong here. Free of all the burdens I’ll bring you.”
“What burdens?” I peer up at him. “Your nightmares?”
“No. My nightmares are not the worst part of me.”
“Then what? Whatever it is, we can work on it together.”
“It’s too late for that. I am who I am, and you are this bright light I never want to dim.”
