If There's a Way (Lost Boys #2)

by Jessie Walker

A part of me regrets he didn’t come in my mouth, but the hand stroking me is enough to make up for it. Next time, I think. Followed closely by, Please, please let there be a next time.

“Always surprising me,” he says roughly against my throat before sucking a spot just under my ear. “Fuck, I need you.” “Yes,” I hiss, my eyes rolling back as I arch up into his touch. More, I need more.

I rub my cheek over his shoulder. “Don’t ever let me hurt you like that again. I don’t care what frame of mind I’m in. Walk away. Run away. I don’t care, just don’t—” My voice catches, and my hold on him grows even tighter. “Don’t ever let me have that power again. If you have the strength to stop me, use it. Okay?”

Then, slowly, he rolls to face me, giving me no choice but to loosen my arms. He searches my gaze. “On one condition. You need to promise me something in return.” And to him, I say, “Anything.” His mouth purses, and then he reaches up, spreading his hand over my bare chest, right over my heart. “Keep this beating.” I still. “Just keep your heart beating for me, okay?” His voice breaks, and he glances down, hiding from me like the request is something to be ashamed of.

I give him a little nod. “I can do that.” Easily.

A peaceful silence falls over us as I settle in up alongside him. This time, we hold each other face to face. Legs tangled up. Arms tucked between our chests. Hearts beating steadily against each other’s knuckles.

“Please don’t hate me.” Against his parted lips, an even easier promise to make than the one I made before slips from my sleep-slack lips. “Never.”

Just when I thought I had nothing left to give him, he goes and finds another piece of my heart to steal. Doesn’t he already realize it’s all his?

I watch as Waylon smiles and laughs, and I’m pretty sure my heart’s somewhere in my eyes.

As I see it, Seamus’s suicide was nothing short of sadistic. A final fuck you to the son who only ever wanted to be enough. If Reggie hadn’t shown up when he did, and helped me shove him out of the way…