Page 44 of Louder Than Words

I shrug, then plop onto the bed and start kicking off my shoes. “Nothing,” I answer flatly.

He kneels in front of me, slipping a finger under my chin and gently lifting it—forcing our eyes to meet. “This right here?” he says, then slowly shakes his head. “We need open communication, love. Frombothsides.”

I swallow hard and give a small nod. “I’m just… scared,” I admit, with another shrug. “I’ve never been the jealous type. But with you… I am.” I pause, trying to find the right words. “This won’t be the last time a woman leans in too close… or slips you her number… or invites you somewhere you can’t say no to.”

He laughs. And I don’t think his laugh has ever pissed me off as much as it does right now.

My eyes widen as the lump in my throat grows.

Does he think I’m overreacting? Is this just a joke to him?

“I’m sorry, Al. I’m not laughing at you, I swear,” he says, voice softer now. He shakes his head and cups both my cheeks gently before kissing me tenderly.

When our lips part, his eyes find mine again, hands still warm on my face.

“You really think any of that’d work on me?” he asks, brows raised. “That I’d get offered some interview and be thinkin’ about shagging someone else instead?”

A snort slips past my lips—because yeah, it does sound ridiculous. Jax would avoid most conversations entirely if given the choice.

“Exactly,” he says, with a small smile. “There’s only one person meant for me, Allie. Always has been. Always will be.”

He doesn’t let go of my face right away. Instead, he holds it gently, his eyes tracing every feature like he’s trying to burn this moment into memory. And maybe he is, because he knows how hard it is for me to voice these things.

But with him, it’s easier.

I know he wouldn’t do anything he’d regret.

Now I just have to trust that he won’t forget that either.

20

Allie

I will not say holy shit.

I refuse.

Aw, who am I kidding?Holy. Shit.

If I thought the release party in Boston was fancy? It’snothingcompared to this.

Gold-trimmed pillars. Crystal chandeliers. Servers gliding around with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres I couldn’t pronounce if my life depended on it.

The moment we walk in, I know I’ve made a mistake. Everyone’s dressed in stunning gowns—shimmering sequins, layers of tulle, the kind of dresses that make your jaw drop. And me? I’m in a green cocktail dress I was genuinely excited about… right up until five minutes ago.

“Is this what prom looked like?” I mutter with a chuckle. “You know, since I didn’t go.”

Silence.

My eyebrows pinch as I turn, expecting to still find Ana beside me—

Nope. Just a wall full of decorative plants. And now I look like a crazy lady talking to ferns.

My eyes scan the room, searching for one particularly antsy woman in a red, knee-length cocktail dress. It doesn’t take long before I spot her wedged between James and Desmond, who both look like they’re trying—and failing—to talk her off a ledge.

I march over, insert myself between them, and grab Ana by the shoulders. “You. Are going to befine,” I say firmly, forcing her to look me in the eyes.

She nods, but I can tell she doesn’t believe me.