“Because Dylan might be in town.”
A chill swept over Aspen’s skin, and suddenly Jesse’s weight went from comforting to almost claustrophobic.
She pushed at his shoulders, and he drew back, but his gaze never left her face.
“What do you mean, Dylan might be in town?” she asked, the words sounding wrong on her lips. She sat up, pulling the sheet with her.
Dylancouldn’tbe here. Amber Ridge was supposed to be her retreat. Her safe place. There was supposed to be half of an entire freaking country between them.
Jesse’s gaze shifted between her eyes. “We’re not certain. But he hasn’t used his bank cards for days, and he’s taken leave from work.”
Her heart started to pound; giant, loud thumps that beat into her ears, drowning out the world around her.
“Aspen—” He reached out a hand, maybe to cup her cheek, but he moved so fast that she flinched.
Her heart stopped, embarrassment heating her cheeks.
Anger transformed his expression, but somehow, she knew that anger wasn’t aimed toward her. “Aspen…I need you to tell me something.”
That statement made her want to run.
“Did he physically hurt you?”
She didn’t move…not a muscle. People had asked her what had happened—Callie in particular—but she hadn’t told a single soul. Because the words hurt…they physically hurt. And sayingthem out loud, telling another soul that someone had assaulted her,hither, and she’d stayed…it made her feel physically ill.
But really, Jesse didn’t need her to confirm or deny anything. He already knew. He was the one who’d told her about Dylan putting his fiancée in a coma. He was the one who’d suspected it was Dylan who’d beaten her so badly.
He knew she’d been abused too. He was just waiting for Aspen to admit it.
So why couldn’t she? Why was it so hard to put those words out into the world?
“I need to shower.” She climbed off the bed, but not before seeing the disappointment on Jesse’s face.
She was running from this, and it made her feel weak all over again, but she couldn’t muster the strength to be stronger. She grabbed the first shirt she could find. Jesse’s shirt. And the second it covered her body, his scent surrounded her.
Out. She had to get out. Away from Jesse and his questions and the way they sucked her back in time and made her feel vulnerable and pathetic all over again.
“Aspen.”
She stopped halfway to the door, her eyes closing.
“Please.” He was closer now. Then his hands touched her waist. “Trust me with the truth, even if that truth is the worst thing that’s ever happened to you. You don’t need to be afraid with me.”
Afraid…shewasafraid. And she didn’t know how to chase that fear away. The words she needed to speak felt impossible. Would he look at her differently if he knew? Of course he would. How could he not? She looked at herself differently.
“I will. I just… Not right now. Please.”
His mouth lowered to her neck, and he pressed one light kiss there. “I’ll wait for you.”
Inside her bedroom, she closed her door and rested her head against the wood, wishing she was stronger. Wishing she could be the person she was before Dylan had changed everything.
Jesse slammedthe car door and moved into the station. He was in a bad fucking mood.
Last night had been everything he’d known it would be. Aspen had finally trusted him with her body, and it felt so damn right.They’dfelt so damn right.
He’d thought that was it. That she was finally his and they could move forward together. That she might let him in on an emotional level too. Trust him with her past.
But she wasn’t ready.
