Page 73 of Jump on Three

“Harder,” I whispered.

“What’s going on, angel?”

My body was seeking, needing the input that had been taken from me without warning. I rocked back and forth, the cushion of the seat lightly tickling my spine. It wasn’t enough.

Wrap me up. As tight as you can. I couldn’t get those words to come out of my mouth. Couldn’t explain how badly I needed pressure everywhere to soothe this out-of-control storm raging inside me.

He was still touching my face far too softly. I only knew he was because I could see his hand on me, but it was just a whisper across my skin.

“Harder. Harder, please.”

I had to get out of this spiral. I was drowning outside my body, and I needed help back in. Ivan didn’t get it. He wasn’t understanding me. Scrambling to my knees, I straddled him, plastering my front to his.

“Harder,” I rasped through my clenched jaw.

I must have broken through. His arms wrapped around me, and he pressed on the back of my head, tucking my face between his jaw and shoulder.

“Like this?” he murmured.

I scooted myself closer, knees locking around his hips. Tears pricked my eyes from how fucking good it felt to be this close to him. His arms were firm and strong. The constant pressure from his hug was bringing me back little by little. In his embrace, my raging panic began to subside. It was still there, a swirling riptide. If he let me go, I’d be swept right back in.

But he didn’t let me go. Ivan let me cling to him and use him like a weighted blanket the entire ride back. He didn’t try to speak to me, didn’t ask me how I was doing. He just held me.

Pine, mint, sweat. I inhaled his scent, dreading letting it back out. Each time, I kept it in longer, slowing my breathing. My tired, aching muscles loosened.

I was tired. So, so tired. Nearly asleep when the car slowed in front of our dorm. Ivan slid out, taking me with him in his arms. He carried me inside, into the elevator.

“Evelyn, I’m taking you to your room, but only if you’re okay,” he said soothingly.

“I’m okay.”

I would be. In my room. My bed. My blankets. I felt like I could sleep a thousand years. My arms and legs were limp.

He carried me to my door. “I can carry you in or put you down here. Which one?”

I wasn’t up for making decisions. When I didn’t answer, he seemed to get that. Taking my keys, he unlocked my door and shuffled in quietly, making it to my room without anyone popping their head out.

He sat me down on my bed and took a step back, looking down at me. As soon as I had my arms free, I yanked off my dress.

Ivan walked to my dresser, and I scooted up my mattress to my favorite corner. Holding my legs to my chest, I rolled to my side.

He came back, clutching a T-shirt in his hand. “I brought you pajamas.”

I shook my head and gestured to my blanket. “Please.”

His sigh was heavy, exhausted. Dropping the T-shirt, he pulled my blanket over me, tucking it under my chin. It was the perfect weight, pressing me into the mattress. My sigh echoed his, and my eyes drooped.

“Angel…” he rumbled, “get some rest.”

I closed my eyes. But the scent of pine, mint, and sweat didn’t fade, not until I was breathing easily, my mind drifting into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Twenty-four

Ivan

Me: Are you okay?

Me: I just need to know if you are well.