Page 87 of The Edge Of Us

"Brittany's taking them to her suite for the night," I told her gently. "She's already called up some snacks and cartoons. You don't have to worry. They're safe. They're happy."

Corinne's voice cracked. "I didn't even get to tuck them in. I didn't even kiss them goodnight."

I brushed her hair back. "You'll get to tomorrow. You can have all morning with them. I'll reschedule everything. I'll keep the press off your back."

She looked up at me then, exhausted. Not just physically. It was emotional depletion-the kind that comes from holding everything together while you're falling apart.

"I can't go back to my place," she whispered. "Not yet. I'll see their toys. Their pajamas. I'll break."

"Then come with me."

"To your room?"

"Yeah."

She hesitated. Then nodded.

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The ride to my suite was silent. Heavy. She clutched her phone like a lifeline but didn't look at it. I unlocked the door, let her step in first.

It was warm. Dim. The kind of space that welcomed you to fall apart.

Corinne moved toward the window, arms crossed, gaze lost in the London skyline. I went to the bar, poured two glasses of wine.

She didn't touch hers.

"You don't have to be strong right now," I said softly. "Not with me."

She laughed bitterly. "That's the problem, Jas. I don't know how to be anything else anymore. I forgot how to just... fall apart."

"Then let me help you remember."

I walked to her, took the glass from her hand, and set it down. When I touched her waist, she didn't pull away.

"He was the love of my life," she whispered, almost ashamed. "I built a life around him. A family. And when it crumbled, I thought I could rebuild without him. I told myself I was fine. That I didn't need softness. Or comfort. That being hard was the only way to survive."

She turned to me, eyes gleaming.

"But tonight-I looked at him, and I felt nothing. No sparks. No pain. Just *anger.* Because he keeps putting me in positions where I have to choose between grace and survival. And I'm so tired, Jasper. I'm so fucking tired."

I lifted her face. Brushed my thumbs under her eyes.

"Then let me be your rest. Just tonight. Let me take the weight."

Her lips trembled. But she didn't step back.

I kissed her.

Slow. Intentional. Like we had all the time in the world.

She melted into it-hands tangling in my collar, body pressing closer. It wasn't hurried. It wasn't frantic. It was years of what-ifs poured into a single kiss.

When I pulled back, she was breathless.

"Jasper..."

"I've liked you for longer than I'll ever admit. Not like Allen. Not the way he did. I don't want to own you. I want to hold you-only if you let me."

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