Page 15 of BounBound By Scars

And I had to fix this somehow. But I didn’t know what I’d done wrong. I’d given her every chance—every moment—to challenge me, to tell me she wanted more.

But she hadn’t.

Her words had drifted to Sebastian. And now… even her eyes were.

Maybe they always had been.

Who was to say she was always sitting next to me so she could watchhim?

Maybe I really was just the best friend she kissed out of curiosity.

A moment of weakness. An option she’d wanted to explore.

Before heading to the Command Center, I stopped by my room, needing to wash the grime and sweat—and the humiliation—off my skin.

Zane had picked up on my agitation. He always did.

“Need a breather before we dive into the White House Crazon?” he’d asked after breakfast.

I hadn’t answered. Just nodded.

The tension in my chest needed a release, and Zane—ever the tactful bastard—gave me one.

We sparred for an hour.

I threw every ounce of confusion and rage into him.

He didn’t flinch. Just took it.

But now?

Now I needed a breather from the breather.

The memory of Amelia’s lips was still so fucking fresh it hurt.

Like it had just happened. Like she’d branded me.

Her trembling lips brushing against mine. My dumbass sitting there stiff—afraid if I moved, the moment would end.

God, if I ever got another chance…

I wouldn’t waste it.

I turned the shower on. Let the hot spray pound against my back like it could burn the memory off me.

But it didn’t.

I closed my eyes and let my thoughts spiral.

Would she even care if she knew how deeply she lived inside me?

Would telling her everything even matter?

Because here I was—ready to take the scraps of her friendship, if it meant staying close to her.

Even if I never touched her again.

Even if that kiss was all I’d ever have.

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