Page 62 of Losing Faith

“Why would I needheadphones? I wouldn’t be able to hear Isabelle burning my house down.” He laughs again, but I can’t shake my shock. “She’ll actually just steal them from me, so please don’t let her use them. The minute she realizes she likes them, she’ll want them, and she doesn’t need those.”

I gaze up at him, a smile I can’t shake on my face. “The iPad and pen are appreciated, but you didnotneed to get me anything else.”

He looks down at me before shrugging. “Want to return them?” He stops in his tracks, throwing his thumb over his shoulder.

“Hell no.” I shove them back into the safety of my bag and he laughs from beside me. “They’re all appreciated. I owe you some sugar later tonight.”

He laughs up a storm as I quicken my steps to get my own door.

I let out a frustratedsigh when my pot plummets. My shoulders sag as I brush the hair from my face, but I go still as I feel the wet clay on my forehead.

At the sound of Jackson’s giggling, I slowly turn to him. I keep my glare set on him before my eyes cast down to his perfect vase.

“Why are you so good at this?”I’msupposed to be the artistic one here and I’m failing miserably, which feels like a huge hit to my pride.

Jackson only shrugs, as if he’s not even trying. “I took a pottery class in college.”

I let out a scoff. “Yeah, like a hundred years ago.”

His jaw drops before he splashes some clay water at me.

Glancing back at my blob of clay, I take a minute to appreciate us being alone and I’m only failing in his presence. Bay was supposed to be here with me and we booked the couple session since it was longer than the group one, but Jackson isn’t the worst pottery companion. He’d be the best if he wasn’t kicking my ass at this.

“You’re so cute when you mope,” Jackson voices with a laugh before rising from his seat.

“Screw you.”

“Mhm.” He doesn’t entertain my jab as he drags his stool behind mine. “Here, we can do it together.” He brings his chest to my back and I unconsciously melt against him, soaking in his warmth and manly scent.

He brings his arms around mine before dipping my sponge in water, soaking the clay. “You just need to have patience.” He keeps his face so close to the side of mine, his beard prickles my cheek. When I take in a breath, I can smell his aftershave and I almost tease him about cleaning up for thisdate,but he speaks up first.

“Here.” He guides my hands to the clay. “Step on the peddle.”

I give it a light push and the wheel under our hands begins to spin. His hands engulf mine entirely as he helps me shape the clay. I feel my heart pounding in my chest as he dips our fingers into the center, creating a hole in the clay.

This shouldnotbe as intimate as it is and I’m not sure if it’s just my mind finding ways to make everything sexual, but his veiny hands look hotter now as they’re dripping in wet clay.

“What shape do you want?” His warm breath touches my ear and I try to reply but my voice doesn’t come out strong enough so I simply shrug in return. “Flower pot or vase?”

I shrug again, and this time, his deep chuckle sends shivers down my spine.

“Are you actually upset about struggling with this?” He presses closer against me before I feel his face in my neck. I suck in a breath of surprise as he places one soft kiss on my neck.

Turning my head, our faces are incredibly close, our noses practically touching. My heart rate quickens and my eyes cast down to his lips just as he licks them.

“I’m not upset,” I find myself saying.

“No?”

I shake my head in response, my eyes on his mouth. A smirk tugs at the corners of his lips before he leans forward. I do the same but before our lips can meet, he kisses my cheek.

“PG-13, sweetheart.” He faces forward again and I use the rest of my strength to get my heart rate under control.

Chapter Twenty

Lisette

WhenInoticeSage’sboyfriendsulking in the corner, I walk over to him with a bright smile. After shoving Liam’s shoulder, he slowly looks over at me.

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