A scream rushes out of me as I jump from the bed. Darkness makes me shiver as a wave of nausea hits. I take in big gulps of air to ease my rolling stomach, wanting to fight the distress.
It’s not real. It’s only a nightmare. I’m in Italy, not Mexico. I’m an adult, not a kid anymore.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. I forgot to leave a light on.” Jax’s sleepy voice is barely audible over my heavy breathing. He hurries to find the nightlight switch.
Low light illuminates his groggy face. I attempt to rise out of bed but Jax tugs on my arm, making my head land on his chest.
“Don’t go. You don’t need to run from the nightmares anymore,” he whispers into my hair.
A few tears trickle down my face and land on his bare chest.
“Do you want to talk about it?” He runs his hand through my hair in a gesture I’ve come to love.
I shake my head. “It’s embarrassing that I can’t sleep in the dark. What kind of life is that?”
“One where you’re still healing. Things like this take time.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I’m learning to heal, too. It’s not as easy as the movies make it look.”
I let out a hoarse laugh. “You’re secretly a dork.”
“Why do you think Liam and I get along? He has his books and I have my movies.” He wraps his arms around me, squeezing me into his chest. His spicy scent calms me.
Silence wraps around us. With Jax holding me, the darkness doesn’t seem as intimidating. The mental prison I’ve created over the years loosens its hold as Jax runs his hand soothingly through my hair.
I take a deep breath, centering myself before I chicken out. “Jax?”
“Mm.” His chest rumbles beneath me.
“I think I’m falling in love with you.” The words leave my lips in the faintest whisper.
He keeps quiet for a solid minute. I second-guess myself, but he squeezes me tighter into him. “Elena?”
“Mm.” I copy him.
“I already know I am.”
