~ JOHN-PAUL ~
JP knew he had a choice to make in that moment. A choice that could set a tone for how things were between them moving forward.
Everything in him wanted to avoid this. He was afraid she’d think less of him, or perhaps her own fear would grow because of it. Or maybe she just hadn’t ever fully understood what had occurred that day three years ago… maybe she’d decide even this beautiful bond wasn’t worth it?
It all spiraled in his head—doubt, fear, self-pity—and he knew, because he’d had a mate before, that he had a choice. That if he deflected her now, she would become more guarded. And he would have put that between them.
He knew that his choice was to risk himself, or her.
He wasn’t willing to risk her.
So, swallowing hard, he took her hand. He couldn’t quite meet her e
