Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
He looked down, and when he looked back up, there were tears in his eyes. “I met my buddy John Nelson in boot camp. We had a team of men we were responsible for, but John always deferred to me when it came to tactical decisions. One assignment, we were supposed to be checking a village, making sure no insurgents were hiding out. We’d been there two days, and the only things around were a bunch of families and happy kids who liked to play jump rope. The night before we were supposed to leave, I made the stupid decision to let our men make a fire. I still have no idea what the hell I was thinking.”
He paused, and his eyes became distant. It made me wonder if he was reliving what had happened.
“I woke up to gunshots. Insurgents had captured three of our men, including John. When I came running, they caught me. And they made me watch them execute each one of them.” Jagger closed his eyes and continued. “They put the barrel of the gun in each of their mouths and pulled the trigger like they weren’t even human.”
“Oh, God.” Tears streamed down my face. Just like he was going to do to Silas.
“I almost became the same thing they were.”
“But you didn’t do it, Jagger. You didn’t.”
“I’m fucked up, Sutton. You’re better off without me. Yet here I am again.”
I squeezed his hand. “I’m not better off without you. Just the opposite. I’m better because of you.”
***
Hours later, we were in the bedroom lying down. We’d spent the entire day talking. Jagger had told me a dozen stories about John Nelson, and I’d opened up about how closed off I’d become to everyone except Miles after what happened to me in college. It was like once we weren’t afraid to be honest with each other, we couldn’t stop sharing truths.
We’d both been up for more than twenty-four hours, and I knew when Jagger looked at the time on his phone that he needed to go home to his nieces soon. He brushed a lock of hair from my face. “Move in with me.”
“Isn’t this how we got ourselves into this mess to begin with? You asked me to stay with you, and you pushed me away when I wouldn’t.”
“I asked you to stay with me because I wanted to protect you. But now I’m asking for the right reasons. I’m asking because I realize my day is better when I wake up next to you.”
My heart melted. “That’s really sweet. And I’d like to move in with you. Soon. Just not right away.”
Jagger frowned. “Why not?”
“Because I’ve spent the last eight years being afraid, and I’m just starting to feel independent. When I walked home today, even just from the subway station, I felt different—freer knowing Silas can’t get to me anymore. I’m still healing, still figuring out who I am. And I want to do that outside of us.”
I could tell Jagger didn’t like not getting his way, yet he didn’t push. Though he wouldn’t have been the successful businessman he was if he didn’t try to negotiate. “How about two nights a week at my place?”
I smiled. “How about one, we exchange keys, and we can come and go from each other’s places whenever we want?”
“And we make the relationship public at work so I don’t have to keep my distance there since I won’t be coming home to you at night.”
“My internship doesn’t have that much time left anyway.”
“And then you’ll be in the executive training program.”
I sucked in my lower lip. “I’m not sure if I’m going to accept that offer yet.”
Jagger sat upright. “Why not?”
“Because I’m not sure it will be healthy to work for someone I’m involved with. I feel like it might blur the lines. I like your bossiness in the bedroom, but in the office too? I’m not sure that would be good.”
“I’m not bossy at work.”
I smiled. “Yes, you are, and you know it. You’ll just say anything right now to get your way.”
“I can work on it.”
“I need a little time to think about it all.”
“Fine.”
My smile widened. “You’re cute when you pout.”
“Oh yeah?” Jagger rolled on top of me. “Am I cute when I hold you in place by your throat and use your body for only my pleasure? Because that’s what’s about to happen.”
I hadn’t slept in more than a day, but suddenly my body felt fully invigorated. “No, then you’re sexy.”
He flashed a wicked grin that probably should’ve made me nervous. “Arms up. I need you naked.” Jagger stripped me out of my clothes and took care of his as well. “Bend your knees and spread your legs.”
God, I’d missed this. Missed him.
Jagger slid down and ran a finger through my center. “Wet for me already?”