Page 120 of The Ashes of Summer

The second the door shuts behind her, Summer shifts closer again instantly. Like she physically cannot bear distance between us anymore.

Honestly?

Same.

She scoots along the edge of the bed until there's nothing left between us, then carefully tucks herself against my uninjured side, mindful of the blood and the dressings and every part of me that's held together with thread right now. The second her body settles into mine, a rough sound nearly leaves my throat.

Because Christ. I missed her. Missed this. Missed breathing properly.

Then she reaches up and pushes her fingers back through my hair, slow, nails dragging lightly against my scalp, and my eyes damn near roll back in my head.

Summer notices my expression immediately. "What?"

I shake my head once, slowly. "You have no idea what you do to me every time I look at you."

A weak laugh leaves her. "I look horrific."

"You're perfect. You've been through hell and come out the other side. You're mine. And every time I look at you, I love you more and more."

The words come out rougher than intended. Possessive. Primitive.

But instead of pulling away, Summer melts closer, her face tilting to plant a gentle kiss on my lips. And something dangerous inside me settles instantly.

She's finally fucking safe.

My fingers trace lightly over the bruises around her wrist. Rage coils as I feel the uneven textures on her skin.

Jackson touched her. Restrained her. Terrified her.

And suddenly I genuinely don't think torture is enough for him anymore.

Summer watches something dark move across my face immediately.

"Don't," she whispers softly.

My eyes snap to hers. "Don't what?"

"Disappear into your head."

Christ.

The way she can read me when no one else can nearly undoes me. I exhale slowly through my nose before pressing my forehead carefully against hers again.

"Can't help it."

"You saved me."

"No," I murmur quietly. "We saved each other."

Chapter 38

It Ends Tonight

Summer

The adrenaline is wearing off.

That's the first thing I realize when they come back in to work on him and I have to peel myself off the bed to give them room. Standing up costs me more than it should. My legs have gone strange and distant, like they belong to somebody else, and the second I'm upright the room tilts gently sideways before settling.