Chapter 24

                                    

                                          
Jackson pov
The kiss had been intense—more than I expected. It wasn't supposed to happen like this, not here, not at that party. But the moment her lips met mine, I couldn't hold back. There was something about the way she looked at me—like she needed something I could give, something real. And maybe, deep down, I needed it too.
Her hand was warm in mine as I led her out of the party. Her fingers gripped mine lightly, but I could feel her pulse under my touch, quick and erratic. I wondered if she was as shaken up as I was, if she even understood what just happened. The kiss was only the beginning; it felt like everything had changed in an instant.
I could hear the muffled music and voices behind us, but the night air was crisp as we stepped outside. The cool breeze was a sharp contrast to the heat I felt in my chest, and I forced myself to take a breath. Her presence was still buzzing through me, her scent lingering on my skin, her soft lips still a memory.
"Jackson," she said, her voice softer now, almost uncertain.
I didn't turn to look at her immediately. I just kept walking, my pace steady as I tried to make sense of what was going on. Was she confused? Or was she just as lost in this moment as I was? Either way, I couldn't let her go—not yet.
When I finally did glance over at her, I saw the hesitation in her eyes. She was nervous, unsure of herself. But there was something else in her expression—a vulnerability I hadn't seen before. I hadn't expected her to be this guarded, this... unsure.
"I know this is a lot," I said, my voice low, trying to sound calm. "But I'm not asking for anything, Amara. I just want to make sure you're okay."
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she looked down, biting her lip as she walked beside me. We continued down the street in silence for a few moments, the sound of our footsteps the only thing breaking the quiet.
My house wasn't far now, just a few blocks down. The streets were empty, the city quieting as the night deepened. I could feel her tension, the way her body language shifted every time I glanced at her. She was still processing everything—still figuring out what this was between us. But I wasn't in a hurry. I didn't need her to have all the answers now.
When we reached my house, I opened the front door without hesitation, leading her inside. It was a big house —slightly messy, some half-drunk bottles left on the counter, a few sports jerseys thrown on the couch—but it felt like a safe space.
"You can sit down if you want," I said, my voice gentler than I meant it to be.
She hesitated for a second, glancing around before sitting down on the couch, looking a little out of place, like she wasn't sure if she should be here. I sat down next to her, keeping a little distance, just enough to give her space but not enough to make her feel like I was pulling away.
I looked over at her, trying to read her expression. Her face was soft in the dim light, her lips still slightly swollen from our kiss. Her hair framed her face in a way that made her look even more beautiful than I remembered.
She smiled faintly, but I could tell she was still in her head. Her eyes were distant, and I could almost hear the questions running through her mind. Was she regretting coming here? Did she think I had some other motive?
"I didn't mean for all of this to happen," I said, more seriously now. "The kiss... I didn't plan it. But you don't have to feel like you owe me anything, Amara. I just... I just wanted to make sure you knew that I'm here for you. No matter what."
She looked at me then, her eyes searching mine for something—answers, maybe, or just reassurance. It was like she was trying to piece together what was real in a world that had been throwing her nothing but lies for so long. I could see it in the way she hesitated before speaking.