Page 53 of Beneath the Hood

Blowing out a shaky breath, I wipe the lingering tears from where they’re dripping off my lashes and smack my head against the tile wall, enjoying the bite of pain that clears the fog from my mind.

I close my eyes.

One. Two. Three. Deep breath in.

It takes twenty-two minutes until I’m okay to move. Tofunction.

One thousand three hundred and twenty seconds.

I know because I’ve counted every single one.

Our hands are still connected, energy sizzling as it dances off our palms, the heat melding our fingers together. A chill rushes up my arm as I break away, my body begging to slip back into his hold. I resist the urge.

Thispart I’m familiar with.

I know how to pick myself up and slap my frazzled edges back together with tape. It’s a shoddy job—my flaws bursting at the seams with the slightest jolt—but it’s one that lets me hide the pain in the deepest chambers of my heart, where only I can see the hurt.

Unlatching the stall lock and swinging open the door, I meet Jackson’s glassy gaze, waiting for embarrassment to slam into me.

How can he not see howweakI am?

But it doesn’t come. Instead, a different type of pressure bears down on my chest, spreading to my stomach and flowing through my limbs, filling me with gratitude. For the first time in my life, I feel like someone is at my back.

He sees me even when I don’t want to see myself.

Smiling, he reaches out and brushes his hand down my hair, but he doesn’t say a word. Doesn’t bring up my dad, or how absolutely pathetic I looked begging for his time.

We head back to the reception area, my eyes scanning the halls, hoping I don’t run into anyone, not ready to face them until I’ve built my shield back to full strength.

“If you’re looking for a dinner date, I’ve heard I’m pretty good company,” Jackson says, smirking as I walk around and plop into the office chair.

I giggle, his attempt at lightening the mood dulling the throb in my chest, just a little. But then my heart pinches when I realize I have to turn him down.

“I really don’t have time, I just...” I trail off, chewing on my lip.

“You just...” He peers down at me, standing so close I can feel the warmth coming off his body. My eyes are level with his groin and heat spikes through me at our position.

“It’s stupid.” I fidget in my seat, trying to get rid of the sudden throb between my legs.

Jackson leans in closer and my mouth goes dry as his fingers tip up my chin. “Nothingyou do is stupid, Blake.”

My heart slams against my ribs at the absolute certainty in his words. He’s so sure in what he says that I have no choice but to believe him. Because I know Jackson wouldn’t lie.

“Have dinner with me,” he whispers.

His hand is still on my chin, his eyes peering so deep I swear they touch my soul.

Nodding, my fingers wrap around his wrist. “Okay.”

* * *

“We only havea couple hours before my glam team shows up, so I hope you’ve planned something quick and easy,” I tell Jackson as I let him in through my front door.

He smiles and kisses my cheek, the stubble on his jaw tickling my skin. My stomach flips.

Walking into the foyer, he glances around then heads straight to the kitchen, like he’s been here for years. Like he’s walked these halls a thousand times.

I’ve lived here my whole life and sometimesstillhave issues getting to where I need to be.

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