Page 252 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
I dip my finger inside, swirling it slowly before lifting the dripping trail.
“Jade—”
My hand doesn’t make it anywhere near his chest when his hand shoots out and grasps my wrist. “I can’t.”
41: FUCKING SLATHERED
HART
––––––––
SHE LEANS IN close, a sly curve tugging her mouth.
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Can’t.” But my word cracks.
She bites her lip, eyes glinting. “Cute. Try again with some confidence this time.”
“Jade—” This time, my voice is stripped bare, and I watch her take it in.
“Can’t what?” Her confusion and hurt are apparent.
She thinks I’m denying her.
Shit.
I take a deep breath, my gaze dropping between us for a moment before meeting hers again.
“It’s just”—If my hands weren’t occupied holding her wrist and gripping her waist, I’d scrub them over my face—“I’ve done this before.”
“Done what?”
Her gaze follows mine to the jar of honey she’s holding.
“Oh.” Her mouth is a perfect circle, and the urge to taste her nearly wrecks me.
“And it didn’t end well.”
Her focus clings to that honey for a long time before returning to lock with mine.
“Because of me? Because of the rumors?”
I want to tell her no, to stop the guilt stealing her features, but I can’t find it in myself to be dishonest about this.
“It’s okay,” I promise. “I just don’t want it to ruin this moment. This perfect, amazing moment with you.”
“I think I already did.” She starts to swing her leg off me, but I catch her waist and keep her planted.
“Hey now.” I cup the side of her face. “We’re not doing that.”
She only stares at me, her eyes smothered by quiet remorse.
“We’re not regretting our past mistakes every time one comes and bites us in the ass.”
Does she realize that we wouldn’t even be here if she hadn’t forgiven me? And I messed up so much worse.
“Fuck, Jade, there’s been a lot of mistakes.”
