CHAPTER 49
IVY THOMPSON
Apair of soft lips presses to the back of my shoulder as I stir from a dreamless sleep. I knew I would pass out after spending the night with JJ. I wanted to stay awake to savour the sensation of being in his arms, but he made me feel too relaxed, and I couldn’t fight my heavy eyes.
My heart has been empty for a long time. A great big gaping hole directly in the middle that I didn’t think would ever close again. But here I am being proved wrong, so damn wrong.
JJ kisses me again, but this time on the middle of my spine. I can’t stop the smile that forms on my face as he pulls me closer, our naked bodies tangling together. He brushes my hair away and places another kiss that makes me tingle.
I shut my eyes at how good his lips feel, how delicate a few pecks can make me feel absolutely everything.
“Mmm,” he whispers against my skin. “I want to wake up to you in my bed every day.”
“Me too.” I nod in agreement. “Good morning.”
“Morning, princess.” He nuzzles his head into my shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
I hum softly. “I think I’m okay,” I say quietly. My fingers run along his bare arm, the one that is wrapped around my waist. “I’m just glad that I’m with you. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
He squeezes me somewhat tighter without suffocating me. “I don’t want you anywhere else either,” he grumbles in that sleepy voice that still hasn’t gone away. “I love being with you.”
Heat spreads across my cheeks as I close my eyes, exhaling a breath of relief and contentment. “I love being with you, too.”
Our eyes meet when JJ turns me around. He cradles the side of my face as he flicks his gaze over every inch, taking in every freckle. “This summer has been one of the best.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yeah,” he rasps. “I met you. My mother’s treatment is going well. I get to spend it in one of the most beautiful places. I hate that Finn isn’t doing well, it’s tough not having him here, but I’m glad he’s getting the help he needs.”
For some reason, a lump forms in my throat when I realise that summer will be over soon. We’ll have to go back to university for another year, and I don’t know how it’s going to work out.
JJ instantly realises something is wrong because his brows press down into a frown. “What?”
“We’ll be starting university soon,” I say under my breath.
“I know.”
I chew on my lip because I’m not sure if I can find the words right now.
“Talk to me, Ivy. What is it?” He swipes his thumb across my cheekbone gently.
“Is this like—” I pause, pressure building behind my eyes at the thought of the question. “Going to?—”
JJ lifts his head off the pillow. “End?”
My breathing catches in my throat. “Yeah.”
“Do you want it to end?”
“No,” I admit. “I love what we have going on, but I’m scared that when we go back, things will get complicated.”
He pulls me closer and our lips brush. “If you think you’re going to waltz into my life so you can waltz right back out, then you are deeply mistaken, princess. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
The tone he uses sends warmth through my body. “But what about?—”
“Shhhh.” He presses his thumb to my lips. “I don’t want the ifs and buts. I want you, Ivy, and we’re going to make this work. If you’re willing to make this work with me. I want you to be on board.”
“I am,” I whimper. “I am. But?—”
