Chapter 241

My past with Jace had left some serious scars. I needed to know—was I really that unappealing? Like, was I the kind of girl who could be held like this without him feeling anything? Someone he could resist without even breaking a sweat?

"Hayden," I whispered, my hand sliding up his back, pulling him closer through his shirt. My nails dug in a little.

His whole body went stiff, and he sucked in a breath. "Kiki..."

I pressed against him, knowing he could feel how soft I was under this nightgown, fresh from the shower.

If he could still walk away now, then yeah, I'd have to accept I was a complete failure.

"Kiki," he said, voice tight, before suddenly pulling away. His hands gripped my shoulders, head down, breathing like he'd just run five miles.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and I could see he was shaking.

He looked like he'd just crossed a finish line, exhausted.

I wasn't much better. I'd made this move, and now I felt both embarrassed and bold as hell.

"It's late," Hayden muttered