Page 86 of Taken By the Convicts
“What’s bothering you, Jayce? You sound so mad like you suddenly don’t believe me. I’m working on the cure, and I’m close. I wouldn’t lie about that to Ivan or you.”
“You’re using the med-center as an excuse to get away from the bunker. Away from us.”
That’s why he was angry. The feeling that she was casting him aside. She’d slept in Ivan’s bed and Crusher’s while he’d been sleeping in a cave, cold and alone. She hadn’t missed him. She hadn’t even worried about him.
And yet he couldn’t get her out of his mind. She’s all he thought about, and she was the very reason he should sayyesto Hawke. It would hurt less if he got away from her before she walked away from him.
But he couldn’t sell her to Hawke. The man would destroy her. And Jayce wasn’t like Danning. He didn’t pedal humans. Not anymore.
“I don’t do well locked up in enclosed spaces too long,” she explained, eyes wide and trusting. “The lack of windows in the bunker makes it harder. A lot harder.”
Her eyes narrowed, doubt seeping into her face as she cupped his cheek and brushed the hair away from his forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay? Are you still having nightmares?”
He stared at her. “How do you know about those?”
“I hear you at night in the bunker. We all hear. The first time I heard them, I went into your room, but Ivan pulled me out. He said you wouldn’t want anyone knowing.”
Ivan was right. Not even Ivan knew the cause, and Jayce preferred to keep it that way. Ivan wouldn’t forgive him if he knew. None of them would.
“I can give you something to help you sleep.” Her cheeks reddened. “Or I can hold you, so you don’t feel so alone.”
“Drop it.”
She nodded and looked away. He hated snapping at her. Hated that he couldn’t tell her about his past. She trusted him now. She shouldn’t, but she did.
“You’ve barely said two words to me since I returned,” he shot back at her a second later, hoping she’d forget about him yelling in his sleep. Those memories needed to stay buried.
“I said welcome back and asked if you were okay. Technically, that was five words.”
He glared at her until her mouth kicked up into a grin. She was teasing him. Had she really forgiven him that easily?
Jayce wrapped his hand around hers, hesitating for a split second when he remembered Crusher walked alongside her. The man didn’t growl at him. That was progress. She probably hadn’t told the giant ape that she’d let Jayce fuck her. Either way, it’s not like she’d let him in her bed again.
And yet she still held his hand. Not Crusher’s.
“I’d like to go on a date,” Jayce said, not sure what possessed him, but it was too late, he’d spoken the thought that had been bouncing around in his head for days.
“Does that mean my room or yours?” she asked, though she sounded wary, not enthusiastic. He’d fucked things up the last time by telling her he’d take her to the med-center as payment for sex.
“I didn’t mean sex, not that I’d turn it down. Ever. Just so we’re clear.”
“Yes, we’re clear. You never turn down sex. Got it.”
The smile that emerged made his insides jump. Helikedit when she smiled, felt his entire body come alive, not just his cock.
Jayce glanced over his shoulder at Crusher, who spent more time watching the surrounding caves and rock formations than watching him, though he most definitely was listening.
“I need to make up for what happened last time,” Jayce finally explained.
“About you inviting Zev without asking me? Or do you mean when you made me feel cheap afterward?”
And there was the growl he’d expected earlier. If Crusher hadn’t known about what happened, he certainly knew now. Melina was rather open about her relationships, which Jayce would have to get used to assuming she ever let him touch her again.
“I screwed up. If you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly husband material.”
She lost her smile.
“Fuck, what did I do wrong now?” Jayce asked.
