The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

Pushed away.

~ Jasper ~

For a moment—

Just a moment—

Everything else disappeared.

Her lips on mine.

Soft.

Warm.

Real.

It was everything I'd been trying not to want.

And the worst part?

I didn't want it to stop.

—

Then she pulled away.

And just like that—

Reality came crashing back in.

—

I stayed where I was for a second after she left, the water still rippling around me, my chest rising and falling heavier than it should have.

Why did she run?

The answer came almost instantly.

Because you pushed her away first.

I let out a quiet breath, dragging a hand over my face as I stepped out of the hot tub, grabbing a towel and wrapping it loosely around my waist.

Of course she ran.

I'd made it clear before.

Too clear.

And now—

Now I expect her to just... understand?

—

I moved over to the swing chair, sitting down slowly, leaning forward with my elbows resting on my knees.

My mind didn't settle.

It never did.

—

Lexi.

Dale.

The kiss.

The way she looked at me—

Confused.

Hurt.

—

Then, like it always did—

My mind shifted.

Not gently.

Not gradually.

Just—

There.

—

Mollie.

My chest tightened instantly.

Her face.

Her laugh.

The way she used to look at me like I was the safest place in the world.

And then—

Nothing.

Gone.

—

And Poppy.

I swallowed hard, my jaw tightening.

I never even got to meet her.

Never heard her cry.

Never held her.

Just—

Gone before she even had the chance to exist in my world.