"I want to talk to you," Jake tells me. I sigh before dropping down in my bed. I pull the covers up to my chin before looking at him. "You're drunk. We should talk about this tomorrow," I say to him. Jake saunters toward me before falling on top of my bed. He turns to look at me with a softened look in his expression —

"I can't enjoy the party when I know you're mad at me," Jake says quietly. "I'm not mad at you. I'm angry at the situation. I'm angry that I have to deal with all of this." I hate feeling like a victim, but that's exactly how I've felt lately. I don't want to deal with an abusive step-father, or a crazy stalker. I want to live a quiet life, away from the drama and the pain.

"You don't have to do it alone," Jake responds before sliding his hand across the bed. He places it over mine before squeezing our hands together. I exhale a deep breath before looking at him with fresh tears in my eyes. I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't stop the tears even when I try. Jake gently tugs me toward him until I'm lying next to him. I wrap my arm around his torso before burying my face in his chest.

"I'm so tired, Jake." I whisper, feeling like I'm on the verge of a breakdown. Jake buries his hand in my hair before releasing a deep sigh. He holds me against him until the tears slow down. "I wish I could tell you your fight is over, but it's not. I feel like it's only just beginning, but you're going to get through this. I'm right by your side if you want me to be, Wentworth."

"I want that." I whisper, feeling like I don't deserve him. "We're partners in crime," Jake murmurs in my hair. I sniffle before pushing myself up to look at him. I know he's been drinking so I hope he remembers this conversation tomorrow. He smiles gently before reaching up to brush my dark hair out of my face. He tucks it behind my ear before wiping the tears staining my cheeks. His touch sends electric currents flowing through my body.

"Can we deal with things without Amil? I don't feel safe around him." Thinking about the crazed look in his eyes is enough for me to avoid him for the rest of my life. People like Amil walk around thinking their power gives them the right to do anything they want. I've dealt with it most of my life living with Trevor.

"Okay...if that's what you want." Jake tells me. His eyes flash with protest but he chooses to accept my wishes. I know he's trying to protect me, but I don't want to be involved with more danger if I can prevent it. Jake falls silent and he appears to be deep in thought. His brows knit together with frustration and his eyes grow cloudy with darkness. I know this look on him; something is bothering him. "Talk to me." I mutter quietly. Jake sits up before running a hand over his face. He looks like he's questioning his decision to open up to me, but decides to be vulnerable at the last second. "Why was Tobias in your room?" Jake asks quietly. I can sense the suspicion lining his voice.

"I told you earlier, we were hanging out. He doesn't enjoy parties, and I'm not in the mood to party. I figure he wanted someone to talk to," I shrug, acting like it's no big deal. Why is Jake so hung up on this? He can't expect me not to hang out with Tobias when I'm living under the same roof as him. "Is that all it is?" Jake asks me before searching my face. It's my turn to frown deeply. Is Jake jealous of my barely there relationship with Tobias?

"I wouldn't even call us friends. We live in the same house and we have nothing in common. As far as I know, he still hates me." My words provide him with little relief, and Jake exhales a deep breath before hanging his head in his hands. "Is there something you're not telling me about Tobias?" I question Jake. I've felt the tension bubbling between them every time they're in the same room together. As soon as his name is mentioned, Jake's shoulders grow tense and rigid. I see the scowl on his face whenever Tobias talks. I see the darkness clouding his eyes every time Tobias interacts with me. "Our relationship is complicated," Jake mutters, providing me with little information.

"Why? What happened between you that caused so much tension? You're cousins. You grew up together. You should be like brothers," I say to him. "We were like brothers, but things changed." Jake responds bluntly. He runs a hand through his hair before standing up. He takes several unstable steps toward my bedroom door. "Where are you going?"

"To talk to Tobias," Jake says before releasing a tipsy hiccup. I spring off the bed before rushing toward him.

"You should talk to Tobias tomorrow when you're sober and he's acting less annoying," I encourage him. I don't want to break up another tense argument between them. I slide an arm around his waist to steer him back toward my bed. Jake climbs on my bed before dropping against the cushions. He grabs hold of my wrist before gently pulling me toward him.

"I'll stay if you stay with me," Jake says quietly before pulling me into his lap. I wasn't planning on leaving him alone, but it's nice to know I'm wanted. I end up straddling him on the bed and I feel my cheeks grow warm at the position we're in. Jake runs his fingers down a strand of my hair before his eyes soften. "You're so beautiful," he whispers. He makes no attempt to kiss me. He seems content with admiring the sight of me sitting on his lap.

"You're drunk," I whisper while trying to fight the urge to blush deeply in front of him.

"Do you know what they say about a drunk person's words? They belong to a sober person's thoughts," Jake tells me firmly. The corner of my lips twitch up with amusement. His eyes drink in every little feature on my face, and a warm smile spreads across his lips. He reaches for my hand before lifting it to his lips. I hold my breath as he glides his lips across the back of my fingers. He makes sure his lips leave a trail behind over each finger and his eyes remain fixed on mine the entire time. "You're special to me, do you know that?" Jake asks me.

"I know," I whisper, feeling like my heart is ready to burst out of my chest. I'm beginning to enjoy hearing Jake's drunken thoughts. His eyes flash with approval and he smiles with satisfaction. "Good. It's important to me that you know that," Jake says before gently pulling me toward him. He kisses me slowly while savouring the taste of me. His previous kisses have been filled with desire and lust. Drunk Jake's kisses are done with purpose and longing. His lips move with intention, and he delays pulling back so he can savour every last second of feeling my lips on his.

I swallow for air before resting my forehead against his. Jake inhales sharply before searching my eyes.

"You've infiltrated my thoughts, Emily. I don't remember what it feels like to spend a day without thinking of you," Jake whispers against my lips. I want to tear out my heart and give it to him, but I know he isn't ready for intensity. It pains me to take things slow when I can feel magic building between us. I say the next best thing that will reassure him of my feelings, but won't scare him away.

"I really like you, Jake." I whisper before closing the distance between us. I take the lead on the kiss, and I gently swipe my tongue against his bottom lip for entrance. He releases a soft groan as he parts his lips to deepen the kiss. I bury my fingers in his hair to pull him closer, and his hand lands on my waist to keep me pressed against him. When he pulls back, his blue eyes grow cloudy with emotion and desire.

"I really like you too, Wentworth."

My bedroom door suddenly springs open and a drunken couple stumbles inside the room. Their giggling stops as soon as they notice Jake and I wrapped up in each other on the bed. Jake slides a protective arm around my waist before turning to glare at them. "What are you doing up here? The party is downstairs," Jake snaps at them. The guy's eyes grow wide with nerves, and he begins stuttering in response.

"S-sorry, man. We didn't mean to walk in here. We'll go downstairs," he stammers before backing away from the room. His cheeks grow an unhealthy shade of white when he drinks in the cold stare Jake is throwing his way. He grabs his girlfriend before pulling her out of the room and closing the door. I release the laugh I'm holding before turning to look at Jake. "Why are people so scared of you?" I ask him. He shrugs – "It's the reputation. It works in my favour."

"What have you done to earn the reputation?" I question him. "Things I can't tell you about, Muffin." Jake says playfully with a sparkle in his eyes. I roll my eyes at his usual secrecy. His grin deepens and he appears to be enjoying making me frustrated with his vague answers. He gently tugs me forward to kiss me again.

"I know you secretly enjoy kissing a bad boy," he whispers against my lips. Before I have a chance to respond, he kisses me with urgency. I forget about all of the questions spinning through my mind, and all I can focus on is him. He kisses me until I grow light headed and forget about all of my troubles. His lips travel to my neck and jaw until I melt inside his lap. Each kiss turns hungrier than the last until I'm drowning in heat.

"If you're making out with me to change the subject, it definitely worked." I breathe out while trying to catch my breath. Jake shoots a devilishly handsome smile at me that makes me climb straight back into his lap and continue where we left off.