Page 153 of Always Love You More

“So, why don’t you stay in it, hmm?”

“I already told you.” I skate my fingers across his arm that’s draped around my waist. “You gonna dance with me this time?”

He shakes his head. “I’d rather watch.”

I tap his arm, and he loosens it, letting me shift so I’m facing him.

“Really?” he says, the word teasing. “You’re pouting now?”

“Is it working?”

“I told you, I don’t dance.”

“But you’re not just dancing,” I say, leaning forward. “You’re dancing withme.”

His gaze heats, and I know I’ve almost got him.

I brush my lips against his. “Come on, Jamie; don’t you wanna dance with me?”

He lets out a breath. “You fuck me up. You know that?”

I tilt my head innocently.

“I’d probably jump off a building if you asked me to.”

“That a yes, then?”

“Yeah, baby,” he says with a low laugh, “that’s a yes.”

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, hiding a smile, and slide off his lap.

He stands behind me, letting me lead us into the crowd of people dancing, where everyone seems to part for us, surprise flashing across their faces when they see Jameson.

Finding a spot in the center, I throw back the rest of my drink and drop my Solo cup, crushing it beneath my shoe. The low bass of the music pulses around us as I start to move.

At first, Jameson is stiff, rigid even, but soon he starts to mirror my movements, his body melting against mine. His hands come to my waist, pulling me in closer. Everything else fades away, one song blurring into the next.

His touch fuels me, and I flip my position so my back is to his front, loving the fact that he’s only here for me.That he’s never danced with another girl. Never had his hands on anyone else. That he’s mine. That he’s onlyeverbeen mine.

Chapter 36

Jameson

Abreezedriftsthroughthe window as Sam shifts beside me in bed. It’s a warm night for April, the heat of summer beginning to creep in.

I watch as her chest gently rises and falls, the stress she carries gone as she sleeps.

In the six months that Johnny’s been gone, she hasn’t gotten much better. It’s been hard to see her in so much pain. To not be able to take it away.

I try to give her as much good as I can, hoping that if I fill enough space, it’ll push away all the bad.

Most nights, I sleep next to her, knowing that if I don’t, she won’t sleep at all. At least that’s something I can give her. A moment to rest. A moment of actual peace.

Pulling her into my chest, I let my eyes drift closed, the rhythm of her breathing guiding me toward sleep.

Just as my body begins to grow heavy and my mind starts to slow, a loud ring echoes through the room.

I snap my eyes open as Sam stirs beside me, reach over her, and grab my phone, ready to berate whoever is on the other line for waking us. But when Billy’s name pops up, the anger is quickly replaced with worry.