Page 12 of Jagged Burn
The bedroom door shuts behind me, and I lean against it, chest heaving.Almost.I almost kissed her.I almost let myself believe.But almost isn’t enough.
Not for her.Not for me.
And neither am I.
Chapter Eight
Collision Course
Anna Alexander
By the time morning rolls around again, I’m restless.I spent half the night replaying what almost happened in the kitchen.We almost kissed, almost shattered the fragile line we’ve been balancing on since forever, since I walked back into Stefan Grey’s life.
Almostis fucking exhausting.
So, when he offers to take me into town—his excuse being groceries, mine being fresh air and some extra clothes—I jump at it.Sitting around his house while my thoughts spiral isn’t doing either of us any favors.
I dress in my now clean clothes and wait for him on the porch.The drive is quiet, but not uncomfortable.His music choice surprises me—classic rock, low and steady, instead of the heavy metal Matt always blasts.I tap my fingers against my thigh in time with the beat, sneaking glances at him.The scar pulls at his cheek when he concentrates on the road, and I wish he could see himself the way I do—strong, steady, and still devastatingly handsome.
We park outside the grocery store.Stefan scans the lot like he’s assessing a fire scene.Old habits.My stomach flips because I know what he’s looking for.Who he’s looking for.
I shake it off.“Relax, Grey.We’re buying eggs, not storming a battlefield.”
“Same difference,” he mutters.
Inside, it almost feels normal.The smell of fresh bread, the hum of refrigerators, the squeak of carts.For a few blissful minutes, I let myself pretend I’m just any other woman shopping with a guy she ...well.Wants.
Then it happens.I turn down the baking aisle for flour, and he’s there.Sam.Leaning against the shelves like he owns the place, smirk curling his mouth, eyes dark and hungry.The bruise on my cheek throbs like it remembers his fist.
“Hey, baby,” he drawls.
My lungs seize.“Don’t call me that.”
His gaze rakes over me.“Playing house with the town freak now?Didn’t take you long.”
Before I can answer, Stefan’s voice cuts through the air like a blade.“Watch your mouth.”
