Grazing her lips, I teased her with the tip of my tongue.
Tenderly.
Slightly.
My tongue sought out hers.
I took my time with her, not wanting to lose a second between us. Needing it as if she was the air in my lungs, the beat in my heart, and the love of my life.
I kissed her with everything left inside of me, wanting her to understand my shame and remorse. The pain I’d caused her wasn’t ever supposed to happen. I didn’t know she’d show up at my apartment.
With each stroke of my tongue, she felt the weight of my truths fall upon her. There was no running away from them, silencing the error of my ways and the devastation I’d inflicted by my father’s choices.
With one last kiss, I let my lips linger for a few more seconds before resting my forehead on hers. My hand was still clutched onto the side of her face. Her eyes were closed as she heavily panted for air. When she finally opened her eyes, all she saw was me staring intensely at her.
Seeing my future in her hands.
Knowing this wasn’t the end of us…
* * *
It was only the beginning.
FIFTEEN
JAX
THEN
It was past two in the morning when I walked into my bedroom from hanging out at a friend’s house. I was immediately shocked as shit that Sophie was sitting against the headboard of my bed with a book in her hands.
“Hi,” she greeted, innocently smiling at me.
We hadn’t spoken since my parents’ Christmas party two months ago. I was trying my hardest to stay away from her. The last thing I wanted was for my father to follow through on his threats.
She asked, “Do you know what today is?”
“Friday?”
Smiling wide, she informed, “It’s Valentine’s Day.”
I nodded, unsure of where she was going with this.
“Were you with a girl?”
I shook my head no.
“Where were you then?”
“At Kyle’s.”
The expression on her face went from worried to relieved as she grabbed a huge bag of peanut butter M&M’s from beside her. They were my favorite.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Not allowing her to deter my willpower to keep my distance, I questioned, “Sophie, what are you doing in my room?”
“This is where we talk and hang out, remember?”