Page 89 of Timeless

I stepped in closer, moving my hand around her side and on to her back. “I want you to give me a shot. Just one shot. At getting you back. One shot getting us right. I’ll put you first.”

“You putting me first cost you six years.”

She really wasn’t letting that go. She had her arms crossed and all I wanted was her to touch me back. Apart from at the dock, when I was freaking out, she hadn’t touched me. And I wanted to her to touch me, not to calm me down but because she wanted to touch me.

“Six years is nothing out of my life. Now don’t mention it again. Subject closed.” I pulled back and lifted her head, until she was looking up at me. “So, with that said. Will you give me a shot? To get you back?”

She sighed, and I saw the debate in her eyes. Amber was always good at weighing up facts but I knew in order for her to make the right decision about giving me a shot, she needed sleep. And I had to give her time.

“How about you get some sleep? Think about it. I’m not going anywhere.” I gave her a smile. “Now this time, please go to bed, leave all Will’s shit alone?” I hoped she would listen to me, like she used to.

A small smile spread across her lips and she nodded. “Okay.”

I couldn’t stop myself from kissing the top of her head. “And no more crying.” I took my hands off her and immediately I wished I hadn’t had. “I’ll see you later today. Make sure you sleep.”

I slowly walked away from her. I knew her well enough to know she wasn’t going to stop beating herself up about what she nearly did.

“Jax?”

I turned around. “Yeah?” I think my exhaustion was coming out in my voice.

“Stay.”

“I am.” I frowned at her.

Amber smiled and I think was for the first time tonight. “I mean in here. With me.” She walked toward me. “If you don’t find that awkward?” She looked hesitant. “It’s awkward, isn’t it?” She chewed her bottom lip and frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position. Um, just go. Forget I said anything.”

I was at the door. She was looking nervous and anxious. She turned her back to me and I think expected me to leave. She started to move boxes off her bed.

I closed the door. She glanced up, expecting me to have closed the door after me. She did a double take when she realized I was still standing here.

Her hands stilled on the box she was about to pick up.

I walked to her, took the box, and dropped it on the floor. Her eyes were glued to me, as if she was expecting me to disappear.

Her mouth was slightly parted. Frozen, watching me.

I always loved making her speechless. It rarely happened. She usually always had a smart comeback or a witty remark. But right now, she didn’t know what to say.

I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to, or if I was allowed to, but I found myself doing it anyway. Standing behind her, I moved her hair to the side, revealing her neck. I don’t know many times I had wanted this. Needed just this.

She knew what I was about to do, right? She would stop me if she didn’t want me to touch her, wouldn’t she?

Hoping she knew that I would stop if she wanted me to, I kissed the top of her neck. Just the touch of my lips on her skin sent a rush of desperation through my body. I couldn’t fucking believe my luck.

She didn’t step away from me, so I took that as a good sign.

I kissed her neck again, this time, just a little bit lower.

I wanted to worship her.

I wanted to please her.

Fuck, what I really wanted was for her to fall in love with me again.

To give me another chance.

I kissed her neck again, working my way down. Every time I kissed it, I wanted more. Every kiss I planted on her, felt like it was the last one because I was expecting her to pull away from me.

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