The Impact of You

Jase

The shrill whistle cuts through the air with an insistent blast.

Avery…

I shove past bodies to follow the sound and find her alone in the hallway. She’s slumped against the wall, knees drawn up to her chest…and she’s crying. What the fuck?

I scoop her up in my arms, carry her to the nearby bathroom and lock the door behind us. I set her on the counter and push her hair back from her face. “Avery, baby…Tell me what happened.”

She sucks in a shuddering breath, biting her bottom lip. “I’m sorry I’m such a mess.” She uses the back of her hand to brush the stray tears from her cheeks and looks up at me with a pained expression.

“Whistle? Did someone touch you? Tell me what happened.” My blood is pounding in my veins. If someone hurt her, I will lose it.

She shakes her head. “No, nothing like that. It’s just…I saw someone from my past…remembered things I didn’t want to remember…” Little hiccups rack her chest, and tears still swim in her eyes.

If I could take away whatever she’s been through, I’d do it. I hate how powerless I feel. “Avery, tell me who he is. Let me handle this.”

She swallows down a sob. “Not he. She. And please don’t do anything, it’ll make things worse.”

She?

Fuck. I hate her past; I hate whatever this is that won’t let her move forward. “Avery, talk to me.”

“Not about this, please, Jase. Don’t make me. Can we just pretend…for one more night…please?”

“Tell me what you need. I’ll

shakes her head. “I can’t tell you, Jase.

tip her chin up. “Then let me make you forget whoever did this

nods slowly, her green eyes searing mine with their

her throat. This is the only way I

the button on her jeans, my tongue still stroking hers. Despite her fears and warnings about going slow, we both know we’ve been building towards this the entire time. It’s the only weapon in

Avery

but my limited mobility doesn’t hamper Jase any. His fingers find the spot my body needs him most, stroking, rubbing, stopping briefly to wet his fingers with his mouth, then caressing me again. The way his slick fingers slide across my sensitive flesh makes me cry out. He lifts my shirt and pulls down the cups of my bra so I’m exposed, kissing and suckling each of my breasts, his mouth and tongue constantly exploring, keeping rhythm with his fingers that

one finger inside me and lets out a groan of his own when he penetrates me. He knows my body better than I do and he gives me what I need before I even have to ask. A girl could get used to this kind

is taking me there. I lock my knees, my hands scrambling for something to hold onto just as I’m almost there. Suddenly Jase removes his hand and plants a

don’t stop. I think I

I know you can, baby. But the guys can hear you, and I have a feeling you’re going to be even louder when I make you come. Let’s go to my room.”

party that was in full

for me, while I stand there uselessly,

them. Okay?” He drops another kiss on my mouth and I

by the living room cheers erupt – applause, whistling, hoots and hollers. My cheeks flame like

to face me. I’m sure my cheeks are still flushed, but he doesn’t seem to mind my awkwardness. He stalks toward me like a predator casing its prey, grasping my hips

like I could let my past slip away, like I could start fresh with Jase and forget all about Brent and the mistake that shall not be named. This could be my last chance. Stacia could be learning about my

give me one chance to show you how good we could be together,”

voice and the promise of more breaks all

my shoulders a playful shove, so I fall back onto his bed, sitting on the edge. Jase lifts my shirt over my head, and with a quick flick of his wrist,