“
AJ huffed a heavy sigh. “I’m not good at this.”
She sat on the edge of the bed with her hands tucked under her legs. “Good at what?”
“This…” he motioned between them “…this relationship stuff. I should care enough to ask you more about your past, the blood thing, the ridiculous profession you’ve chosen, the reason why you’re living with your brother … but I’m too fucking selfish. I can barely deal with my own pathetic life, I just—”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. I have nothing to tell.”
His head jerked back a fraction as his eyelids fluttered with rapid blinks. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Jillian lifted a single shoulder. “You act like I’m on a cliff’s edge just waiting, begging you to ask me about my past and my ‘issues,’ but I’m not. The fact that you don’t ask me about it is why this…” she mimicked his motion between them “…relationship works.”
He nodded with an absent stare.
She’d gone too far. It was a slippery balance between too much and not enough. It’s human nature to desire what’s perceived as the unattainable. Was she making her past seem too unattainable?
“Don’t.”
AJ’s gaze snapped to hers. “Don’t what?”
“I was simply stating a fact. Don’t interpret it as a game. I’m not playing hard to get with my emotions. It’s not a trap.”
He rested his hands on his hips and stared at his feet.
“It’s a gift, AJ. You will never have to be my gallant knight on his trusty steed, drawing your sword to defend my honor. I will never gawk at sparkly diamonds in the jewelry store window or ask you where you see our relationship going.”
“You sound callous, but I know you’re not. I’ve experienced your compassion.”
“That’s a gift too. I’ve never been compassionate toward you with an ulterior motive. I’m not callous. I’m strong. It takes a lot of strength to give unconditionally because the ego is a savage, demanding beast.”
He narrowed his eyes a bit. “So nothing … you don’t want anything from me in return.”
Jillian smirked, prowling toward him. “I’m compassionate, not a saint.” She slid her hands under his shirt, tracing the definition of each firm plane of muscle.
He quirked a brow. “So you want me for my body?”
A provocative smirk stole her lips as she pushed up his shirt and teased her teeth over his skin. “I think we both know it’s not for your stellar personality.”
“You’re such a bitch,” he growled, grabbing her ass and lifting her up.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and laughed. “But an honest bitch.
”
”
Jewel E. Ann (End of Day (Jack & Jill, #1))