here. They belong to someone I love.”
I ignore the jealousy that I feel. This seems more important. Instead, I move my head so that my lips are at her ear.
“The fact that you’re the one here and they’re not leads me to believe they’re yours, Red.”
“Maybe a little of both,” she admits.
“Are you going to tell me about your demons, Jasmine?”
“Not today. Maybe someday.”
“Why not now?” I ask, wishing I could see her face, but content enough with just keeping her close.
“Because I want you to like me first,” she says, shocking the hell out of me.
I could tell her that’s already happened, but in this mood, with whatever is haunting her, I don’t think she’d believe me. So, I remain quiet.
For now.
20
Jasmine
“Shouldn’t we be heading back?” I ask, and for some reason, I’m anxious to get back to Virginia.
“I’m enjoying spending time with my woman, is that so bad?” Luke asks, turning his gaze to look at me.
“You could spend time with me back home,” I mumble, then I kick my own ass, because I referred to Luke’s place as home.
What is going on with me?
I have to just be over-emotional right now. Fighting with my parents does that to me, and Lord knows that every single time we get together anymore, it’s a fight.
“You’re so damn beautiful, Jasmine. You make me ache every time I look at you,” Luke says, his voice dropping down to this rumbly tone that sends shivers over my skin and fills me with hunger. I crave Luke. I’ve never felt anything like it before.
“Luke, in case it has escaped your notice, I’m a sure thing, you don’t have to butter me up,” I mutter, looking out at the stars.
We’re still at the dam. We left to go pick up some takeout, but Luke insisted on coming back here to eat. Now, we’re lying back on the concrete watching the stars. I could tell him that I don’t like this place, but I know Luke. He would expect me to tell him why.
I’m not ready for that.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be.
“Who did it, Red?” Luke grumbles and I can tell he’s pissed. There’s one thing about it, when Luke is pissed, it makes sense to pay attention.
“Who did what?” I ask, squinting, as my forehead creases in confusion. I can’t help but wonder what has set him off. Up until now, Luke has been relaxed and even loving toward me today.
“Made you feel like you weren’t worthy, or belittled you,” he mutters, sitting up. I sit up too, but before I can manage to put distance between us—which is my first instinct—Luke reaches over and somehow half lifts my body, so I’m secured in his lap, facing him.
“Luke,” I can’t help but gasp, my knees pressed into his sides, my hands braced on his forearms.
His eyes are intense, heated and definitely pissed. His hands are holding onto my hips firmly, and I can feel the heat from them—it seems to burn me.
“Who did it? Tell me and I’ll take care of them.”
“Take care?” I squeak, sensing a thread of violence running through him that I’ve never detected before. I’ve seen him angry, but this is different.
He’s pissed.
“Who hurt you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.
“Don’t try to bullshit me, Red. Was it your family?”
“Luke, let’s just—”
“Tell me who. You wear that tough exterior of yours well, but you’re not fooling me. Not after today, so talk to me.”
“What if I don’t want to talk about it?” I grumble, getting pissed off, because he’s not letting it drop.
“Tough shit, we’re going to.”
“Why? Because you say so? I hate to break it to you, Luke, but just because you want me to talk about something, it doesn’t mean I will.”
“You will, because that’s what people in relationships do,” he argues.
“How many relationships have you been in?” I ask him, my eyes narrowing.
“Jasmine—”
“How many?” I insist, my voice filled with a mixture of anger, curiosity and fear.
Shit, what if he has a wife?
“Damn it, woman!”
“Oh my God!” I screech, pushing away from him and trying to get up. His hold intensifies to bruising force and he refuses to let me leave.
“Red—”
“Are you married?” I cry. “You are, aren’t you? I should have known. No one looks the way you do, fucks the way you do, and manages to—”
“You like the way I fuck, Red?” he asks, a smile pulling at his lips.
I slap my hands flat on his chest, the sound loud, my palms