Page 28 of Burn for Me

My arm trembles with my last shot from holding it stiff for so long, and I miss the target. But as soon as I go to drop my hands, something sweaty and thick presses against my back—firm and solid like a brace, keeping me upright. Tattoos come into sight, dragging down my biceps and forearms until calloused palms wrap around my hands.

“Breathe.” A voice rasps in my ear, and I follow the command. His finger slips over mine, and he puts enough pressure that I pull the trigger, letting my final shot hit perfectly.

The whistle blows, signaling noon, but neither of us moves.

He’s so close I can feel his breath against my ear, so I turn my head in vain, hoping that maybe…

“Jasmine…” He mutters so smooth and soft it almost sounds like a plea, pulling me from the trance I’ve found myself in.

“Sam,” I whisper in response, and his attention pulls to the movement of my lips forming his name. For a moment, I'm convinced he’ll finally give in, but he clears his throat, and his touch is gone with the steps he takes back.

“You should go rest. This needs to be cleaned up, and you've been at it as long as I have.”

My jaw sets.God, I hate him.I hate this mission. I hate how it doesn't feel fake or like some way for me just to piss him off anymore.

“You can stop acting like I'm the plague. You're bound to kiss me at some point during this.” I snap as I click the release on the side of the pistol. The mag drops into my palm, and I shove it into his chest.

I'm pissed that I know where I belong, but he's making it so damn difficult to tell myself it's worth it.

His jaw flexes, but the curious arch in his brow conflicts with the motion as he tries to calm me. “You're tired. I was only–”

I suck the back of my teeth, cutting him off, “Do us both a favor and stop acting like this is real until it's time to, and I’ll do the same.”

I don't even give him a chance to respond as I rush off. There was no reason for me to snap like that–It was out of character and crude–but I just can't breathe without feeling like my lungs are burning, and I know I won't be able to until this is over.

That's if I don't set the world on fire before then.

I groan, feeling something sharp digging into the side of my neck. Pushing my arm under my head, I search for whatever has woken me from the fantastic sleep I was getting.

“Stupid…” A quiet huff from the corner interrupts my groggy, irritated words as I locate my notepad. My eyes shot open at the sound. As I shove the book under my pillow, I try to squint against the darkness, looking for what made the noise, but all I can see is the glimmering light falling across the foot of my bed.

“Who’s there?” I say quietly, terrified that I'm going insane.Has spending time with Cordelia rubbed off on me? It doesn'twork like that, does it?I shift into a sitting position, pulling my blanket up to my chest with the motion.

“Lay back down. You wore yourself out today.” Someone rumbles from the corner. The calm feeling that washes over me from the familiar voice quickly turns to pure rage.

“How did you get in here?” I murmur as I strain my eyes in a pitiful attempt toward the door but can't see the lock.

“You can stop glaring at the wall,” Sam says, and I turn my head toward his voice. What was once a small dark spot in the corner now blurs into a large shadow. I open my mouth to demand answers, but he speaks before I can.

“I need you to stop panicking and let me know if you’re ready.”

He steps forward, and the light from the window silhouettes his body, making him appear like something from a nightmare. Clearing my throat, I force myself to focus on his statement and what he’s referring to.

Of course, I’m prepared. I will perform perfectly on my first mission if I ignore my anxious thoughts.

“I’m not panicking,” I say, trying to sound confident, but my voice grows small as the bed dips under his weight, and he turns to look at me. The moonlight accentuates his face, once clean-shaven, now with more scruff along his jaw. The worry lines on his forehead deepen, and the smile creases at the corners of his mouth twitch.It’s hard to imagine how he got them when he hardly ever smiles.

“You’ll wearmylast name andmyring on your finger. Every moment of every day, you’ll be by my side, holding my hand, kissing me, and acting like you love me. Because if you don’t, we are compromised, and we still don’t know how dangerous this situation can get.”

I swallow hard, glancing at his features, trying to decipher howhefeels about this, but as always, he shows nothing. I pull my legs to my chest and pick at a bit of fuzz on my knees.

That was the least of my worries, but now—

“I’m ready.” I breathe out.

“Are you sure? You freaked out earlier…on me.” He runs a hand through his hair. “If this is too much, just say the word. Someone else can fill the position, and when you’re ready, we can find you something else—”

“Because I’m tired of you getting so close just to back away! It was easier when I made the moves, and you acted like you regretted ever finding me, but now it’s affecting the job. I want to do this right, Sam, and you just… just...” I growl in frustration. I feel exposed and vulnerable right now. Being in the dark makes it all too easy to talk and follow what Sharkie told me.

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