Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 26959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
“That’s it, Sasha.”
She slowed her movements as her orgasm waned. Resting her head on his shoulder, Sasha didn’t let herself think about what had just happened. Jonas rubbed her back in slow sweeps of his hand.
“Talk to me, sweetheart. Tell me what’s going through that pretty head of yours.” Even when she tried to pull back, he wouldn’t let her move. He kept his arms wrapped tightly around her, as if he feared she would run away. She couldn’t really blame him because, at every opportunity, that is exactly what she had done.
“I don’t know what to say, Jonas.” And she didn’t because, yes, she was in love with him, but she also loved Tanner. How in the hell did you tell someone that?
“Just say what’s in your heart.” He lifted her away from him but kept one hand on the back of her head.
“I knew I loved you since I was old enough to know what the emotion was. I used to watch you walk down the halls at school, wishing you would notice me. I spent my entire adolescent years pining for you. Then you went off to college, and I thought maybe the distance would be good for me, help to clear my head, because I knew nothing could ever start between us. You were my brother’s best friend and totally off-limits.”
He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. “Time didn’t help, distance didn’t work, and you avoiding me didn’t make me stop loving you.”
Their eyes were locked, and every word he said was like a little bit of himself absorbing into her.
“And I knew you were avoiding me.” He swept his finger along her cheek and smiled. “I’ve wanted you for a long time, Sasha. Far longer than I care to admit.”
“I love you, Jonas. I’ve always loved you.” His smile broke her heart because what she was about to say was going to seem like her feelings for him were nothing more than empty words. “But I also love Tanner.”
Everything shifted around her as she waited for him to say something... anything. The sound and vibrations of the truck was the only thing that could be heard and felt. After what seemed like ages, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“I know, Sasha.” He opened his eyes, and the force with which his stare speared her was like a lance to her heart.
She must have looked like someone had slapped her because he chuckled and kissed her on the tip of the nose. “We both love you, Sasha. Knowing that we wanted your love in return was something the two of us needed to work on. It didn’t seem like a reality, not when you’re Rian’s little sister. It wasn’t until tonight that I realized you do have the same bone-deep feelings for us.”
“I...” Shaking her head because this was just too bizarre, she didn’t know how to respond.
“I saw your reaction when you looked at Tanner for the first time in years tonight.”
“How do you know Tanner still feels the same for me, that he has the same emotions you do?” He glanced away, and that was all the confirmation she needed.
It was now evident Tanner had told his twin he took my virginity at the graduation party.
Up until now, she’d just assumed, never asking to get the confirmation. “He told you.” It wasn’t a question but more of a statement. He nodded and actually looked embarrassed over that fact.
“But it wasn’t because he was bragging or anything. He was scared and upset over what he did and not just because your brother would have ripped his balls off if he found out.” He blew out a breath and let his head fall back against the seat. “When you left for college, he beat himself up for a long time about that. He cared about you then, too, Sasha. Loved you as much as I did.”
All of these revelations made her head spin.
“I can’t count the number of times both of us wanted to call you or drive to Columbus to see you. Each and every time, we talked each other out of it, telling ourselves that you were too good for us, and putting what we felt behind us.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face and looked out the window for a moment.
“Tanner knew he fucked up all those years ago and didn’t know how to make things right with you. It wasn’t a secret to us why you only came back Hayven Hill far less than anyone liked, and Tanner knew the way he had handled the situation with you was the cause of it. I just assumed you grouped me with him by association, and therefore ,you stayed away from me as well.”
Oh, Tanner. Oh God, Jonas.
“It sucked, but I understand. We understand why you did what you did. We talked about you and the situation a lot after you left.” Jonas smoothed his hand down the side of her head and brought her close to his chest once again. “Tanner went downhill after that, so to speak.”