Page 41 of Honest With You

I play his words over and over in my head. With each time my fear decreases.

I feel the brush of his lips on my knuckles and his warmth as he curls our fingers together. His other hand goes to gently pull my lip from between my teeth, his thumb smoothing out the dent biting them had caused.

Goosebumps pepper my skin from head to toe and butterflies swarm my belly, fluttering like mad bees in tandem with my heart that’s slamming against my chest.

After that kiss, it’s like my whole body is attuned to him. It combustively reacts to a single touch while that voice in my head that questions if this is a good idea is getting quieter, retreating into the shadows of common sense.

I pull his hand to my lap, smiling at him as I shove that voice deeper and forcing myself not to succumb to my fears and insecurities.

“But nothing. I like you. End of story.”

Jesse starts to grin but then a frown pulls on his face as a thought passes through.

“What about Ryder?”

I shrug. “What about him?”

He leans over, tucking my hair behind my ear as he grasps my jaw.

“You said you would go out with him.”

“I said I would think about it. Besides it was to a party–”

My words cut off when his mouth claims mine in a swift possessive kiss, jealousy rolling off him in waves letting me know exactly what he thinks of the idea of me going to a party with someone else.

“You’re not going out on a date with him, Ava.”

Biting my lip, I feel myself flush at his possessive tone. I shouldn’t like it but I do.

I push him back onto the daybed and tuck myself under his arm.

"Why do I get the feeling that you're the jealous, possessive, obsessive type?"

And why is jealousy attractive on you and no one else?

Jesse pauses, reflecting on my words like he’s turning them over until an appropriate response is formed. I rest my chin on his bicep, waiting for him to continue.

"To be honest with you, I've never felt this way about anyone else." He frowns, a slight tug of his lips downward then he smiles, his eyes bright with something that makes my skin prickle with goosebumps. "With you, I've become jealous of anyone who dares look at you. Possessive of your time and attention." His smile turns into a smirk, his eyes lingering on my lips before sweeping down my body like a lover's caress. "Definitely slightly obsessive."

I laugh at that. His honesty is endearing and surprisingly attractive.

“As I was saying before you got all alpha on me, I’m not going to that party.”

Jesse tips my chin up, while his other hand curls around my hip.

“Why?”

I slide my hand around his waist, kissing his jaw.

“Because I have a boyfriend.”

Jesse stills, his eyes widening at my use of the word.

I’ve never said that word before today but it rolled off my tongue so easily and feels right.

“Yeah?”

I snuggle against his chest to hide the smile blooming from cheek to cheek.

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