“That was…intense,” I finally say through dry vocal cords and cracked lips.
I can feel him leave my side, so I push myself off the cold floor, wiping off the grit and dirt from my body the best I can.
“I’ll definitely need a shower—”
Before I can even finish my sentence, his lips are on mine. Fingers rooted in my hair, once again. Only this time, it’s soft and gentle, and it’s the Jagger I know.
I reciprocate the kiss and wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” he mutters into my mouth.
“For what?”
“Giving me a shot.” He kisses me again, and I smile against his lips.
I’m not sure if I’ll regret what we just did, but I hope Crew can forgive me for wanting to do it again.
ChapterTwelve
JAGGER
After Scarand I caught our breaths and got dressed, I took her hand and led her through the tunnels. I wasn’t able to see her face in that room where I corrupted her body, but I can see her now and the smile on her face reflects the one on mine.
This moment, right here, is everything I’ve been waiting for. The sex was fucking amazing, but sex can be had with anyone. It’s her hand in mine and me being the reason for her smile that I’ve longed for.
“Hey, Jagger?” she says, and I snap my eyes to hers. “Remember yesterday when you took me to the Ferris wheel and told me you wanted to tell me something?”
I respond with a, “Yeah.”
“What was it?”
My thumb grazes the soft spot between her thumb and index finger. I crack a smile. “Doesn’t matter now.”
She halts. “Oh, come on. You took me all the way out there, even when we thought the student body was under attack. It had to have been important.”
We’re standing under the dim light of a sconce, her eyes wide with regard. “You really wanna know?”
“I really do.”
I take her other hand, pulling her close, then draping her arms over my shoulders. Face to face, I ask, “Do you remember the last time we kissed? The night before the treehouse burnt down?”
She nods, so I continue, “I never wanted it to be the last time. It just…made sense to put an end to our meetups. Ya know?”
“Because of Neo.” It’s not a question but rather a statement.
“Yeah. Neo. And Maddie. And even Crew.” The day of the fire, I realized the odds were against us. Scar and I met up every night at the treehouse after that first night. After two weeks of meetups and making out, I went there one day to find the treehouse on fire. Scar came seconds later, and it was too late. Neo burnt it to the ground. He lashed out at me for going to Scar the night his mom died, instead of being there for him. I guess it served as a reminder of the day he got that call.
“Besides,” I continue, “we were only fourteen, and if I remember right, you accused me of being a…what did you call it? A player?”
She chuckles. “Yeah. I did say that. And every day after that. I really thought you were. I’ve watched you. Saw the way you pulled girls in then pushed them away after you got what you wanted.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m starting to wonder if maybe you never kept any other girls close,” she bites her lip, considering the possibility of whatever she’s thinking, “because of me.”
Her blue eyes burn into mine, and for the first time ever, we’re on the exact same page. “It was. No one ever measured up to you, and I guess part of me was waiting to see if we might get our chance again.”
There’s a pang in my chest when I remember she’s taken. This evening has been a dream, but it’s not reality. Crew’s made a home inside her heart, and even if we have this moment, where do I fit into her life? Am I still her old crush, turned enemy, turned friend?Or am I more? I sound like a fucking pussy but I’ve got no problem owning up to how I feel.
Scar squeezes my hand, noticing my apprehension. “What’s wrong?”