Page 63 of Betrayed

Chapter 31

AJ

If Blake hadn’t given in and turned away when she did, I might have lost what little control I had and swallowed up the distance between us so I could taste her lower lip.

She looked so damn sexy working that plump red lip between her teeth, that I had to beat back imagines of carrying her curvy body to the bedroom.

Can’t think like that. Focus.

Thank God she hadn’t looked down because there was nothing I could do to hide the evidence of how turned on I was without drawing attention to it.

Splashing cold water on my face before washing the dishes didn’t help, so I thought about my parents. Not only was the thought a mood-killer, but it reminded me of all the reasons I couldn’t kiss Blake.

What if I couldn’t control my temper? I knew from experience bruises weren’t the only wounds caused from getting hit. In fact, he was so good at keeping up the appearance of being a loving father to the outside world that I didn't have any physical scars.

My father started hitting me when I was a defenseless kid. Initially, my mom tried to stop him, but gave up after taking one too many beatings of her own. He was the reason I worked so hard to bulk up and train in Brazilian Ju Jitsu after he left us high and dry when I was a teenager. He was the reason I’d sworn off love.

What if I’m just like him?

My back pocket vibrated, pulling me out of my unpleasant stroll down memory lane.

“Janerek.”

“How are things going?” Jack asked.

“Quiet.” He didn’t need to know what was going on in my head.

“Good to hear. How’s Aurora holding up?”

“Struggling, but she’s stronger than she realizes, so I think she’ll be okay.”

“Anything I should relay to her father?”

“Tell him he’s an asshole for forcing her into a mold instead of letting her blossom into the woman she wants to be,” I said before I could censor myself.

“I think I’ll leave that out when I talk to him, but I’m glad she’s opening up to you.” I could hear the amusement in Jack’s voice.

I thought about making a joke, but figured it’d only fuel the fire. “Thanks.”

“I’ll be outside, ETA fifteen, if you need me.”

“Copy that.” I disconnected the call.

I left the clean dishes in the strainer to air dry, figuring I could put them away later.It’ll give me something to do when I can’t sleep.

Blake was still scrolling when I walked into the living room.

“Can’t decide?”

“I decided, but I’m waiting for you to start.” Her small smile reached her eyes, lighting up her face.

I pretended my heart didn’t skip a beat as I walked to the reclining chair closest to Blake. Sitting next to her on the couch would have been a thousand times better, but I wouldn’t do it without an invitation.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Ready.”

Blake only lasted about thirty minutes before falling asleep. I blamed the movie for making me think her soft snores were cute. Rom-coms weren’t my jam, so I spent more time watching her sleep than I did watching the movie.She looks so peaceful.

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