Page 56 of Twisted Devotion

“He’s got the maturity of a teenager most days, so if I had to bet, yeah.”

“I see. Either way, I am glad you have him.”

A flush creeps across my cheeks and heats my chest. “I don’thave him.We’re just . . .” I trail off, my stomach filling with dread.

Oh god. What are we? Son of a—why do I even care?

Jax had been more concerned about making a profit; he didn’t care that it would break my heart.

“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.” Jackson’s voice startles me, and I whip my head around to find him leaning in the doorway. Nothing on his face gives away whether or not he was listening to our conversation, but my heart beats too fast anyway.

Anger lingers in my chest when I look at him. Regardless, he still sends my pulse racing.

“Point me in the direction of your restroom?” Seth asks, and Jackson obliges. “Thank you. I shall return.”

I open my mouth, but Seth exits the room quickly.

“Red—”

“Don’t,” I cut in. “I’m not ready to talk to you about this.”

“You’re angry,” he offers.

I press my lips together into a tight line before saying, “We were doing so well—finally. We found a routine that worked for us, even had some fun, but you’ve just taken an axe to the trust you built up with me.”

Jackson glances away, frowning. “I understand. Iamsorry, Kelsey.”

“So am I. That business meant more to you than my feelings.”

Whoa.Where the hell did that come from?

Jackson tilts his head back, meeting my gaze—apparently I’m not the only one surprised by my words. “That’s not true at all.” He closes the distance between us, but he walks into my outstretched fist before he can get close enough to really touch me. “I’m not making anything off this procedure, Kelsey.”

I blink at him. “You—”

“I’m not taking his money.” He shakes his head. “I don’t want it. I understand how much this is hurting you, and while I’d never deny someone the choice of human life, I didn’t want to see him go through with this.”

“Oh.” I drop my gaze, unable to look him in the eye any longer.

Jackson sighs and grasps my chin in his hand, guiding my face up until our eyes meet. His are soft, melted honey, and filled with sincerity. “I’m sorry you thought I cared more about making money than I do about you.”

I swallow hard. This moment just got very real.

This is more than working together or sleeping together.

My heart beats against my ribcage, so hard I’m convinced it’s trying to break free from my chest.

“If you don’t walk away from me, I’m going to kiss you,” he warns in a low voice.

I crush my lips against his before he can take another breath.

“Thanks again for putting me in touch with Tristan,” Kyle says, sitting across from me at my favorite diner for breakfast the next morning.

“Of course,” I say around a mouthful of cinnamon-roll-flavored pancake. I lick the cream cheese icing from my lips. “Did the two of you work something out?”

He bites into a piece of bacon and nods. “I’m going to oversee preparations for the annual charity thing.”

I smile at him. “That’s great. The Westbrook Inc. Gala is a huge event.”

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