The upper half of my body rested over Jackson’s, our hearts falling into sync as we came down from our bliss-induced sexual high.
A satisfied sigh escaped his perfect lips.
“Is someone tired?” I teased, running my fingers up and down his side. He’d flinch every so often but never asked me to stop.
“After those orgasms, I’m exhausted.” He lovingly swatted my ass. “Aren’t you?”
“I am, but my brain won’t turn off.”
“Why?” he asked, but I had an inkling he already knew the answer. Still, I didn’t expect him to read my mind.
I propped myself onto my forearm so I could see him better. Before I even said a word, however, my eyes welled with tears, and for as hard as I wished not to cry, my body betrayed me, tears trailing down my cheeks.
“Hey, hey,” he soothed, cupping my cheek. “What’s the matter? Does this have anything to do with what you told me?”
I nodded.
“Do you regret saying it?”
I shook my head that time.
“You’re going to have to speak at some point,” he said, flashing me a heartwarming grin.
“I know.” I stole a moment to gather my composure, and he didn’t rush me. “I meant what I said. I do love you, but please don’t feel the need to say it back just to appease me.”
“Okay. I won’t.”
I didn’t know how he was going to respond, but “Okay, I won’t” stung a little. It wasn’t as if I could call him out, though, because I just told him not to say something simply to pacify me.
“Fine.” I failed at keeping the hurt from my voice, and he noticed.
Jackson rolled me onto my back and hovered over me, his lips twitching in amusement, although there wasn’t a damn thing funny about me putting my heart on the line and him acting like it was nothing. Was I being sensitive about the situation? I didn’t believe so.
“I’m surprised you haven’t slapped me yet,” he said.
My heart fluttered in hope. “What do you mean?”
“You told me you loved me.”
“And?”
“And don’t you think I feel the same way? Because I do.” His expression softened, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I love you, too, Sophie. More than I deserve to,” he said. “And I’m not saying it just because you did. I promised to be honest with you, and that’s exactly what I’m doing right now. I should’ve told you first, but this is new to me. I never expected to fall in love with anyone, let alone someone who was forced into my life, which, by the way, I’m extremely grateful for.”
Just when I thought I was done crying, I broke down again.
“Are those happy tears?” he asked, sounding a little confused.
“They are,” I mumbled, wiping my face and working to get myself back under control. “But I’m also scared.”
“If we’re both scared, does that cancel out the fear?”
I chuckled. “I don’t believe so.”
His lips lingered near mine, the possibility of getting lost in his kiss again too tempting to ignore. I raised my head and pressed my mouth to his, but he backed away before I could deepen the connection.
“I want to talk to you about something.”
“Should I be concerned?”
