Free Cuts Run Deep by Amber Garza

my life right now, so when he couldn’t see me I was alone.
    “What happened?” I hedged, running my fingertips over the lines in his palm.
    He shrugged, still looking out the window. I rolled over, my cheek rubbing his thigh.
    His head bobbed down, his eyes meeting mine. He smiled. “Do you really want to know? Because I can’t talk, much less think, with you doing that.”
    I bit my lip and pushed myself up to a seated position. “Point taken.”
    “You have no idea how sexy you are, do you?” His hand came up to touch my face.
    Lowering my head, I giggled, unsure of what to say. He moved his hand slightly until it cupped my face, holding my chin in his palm. Forcefully he guided my head up to look at him. Scooting forward on his knees, he leaned in and kissed me softly. I moaned beneath his lips, moving closer, wanting more. His hands rode up my sides, brushing up my waist. As the kiss deepened, I grabbed a fistful of the bottom of his shirt in my hands. Dragging it up, I pulled it up to his shoulders. Our lips disconnected long enough for Jackson to help me yank his shirt the rest of the way off. Then I tossed it on the bed. My lips found his again, my hands skating over the muscles of his chest. God, I loved his body. It was strong and muscular, perfect really. His mouth left mine as he peppered kisses down my neck. Panting, I threw my head back, exposing my neck. His lips dragged over my skin, causing a chill to skitter down my spine. When I brought my head back up, my gaze connected with his chest. His perfect taut chest with well-defined muscles. Then I froze, my breath hitching in my throat.
    “Jackson?” I asked firmly, and he stiffened. “What’s that?” Reaching out, the pads of my fingers grazed a dark purple bruise on his shoulder.
    “Oh.” He bent his head to look down at it. “Nothing. I just bumped into the wall.” He gave me a sheepish grin.
    My stomach twisted. I glanced down at my left arm, at the bracelets lining it. I knew what flimsy excuses sounded like. I knew all about lies.
    “C’mon, Jackson, don’t lie to me.”
    “I’m not lying.” His tone was defensive.
    “Have you ever seen me without my bracelets on?” I asked him.
    He narrowed his eyes, his brows furrowing. “No. Why?”
    Taking a deep breath, I sat back on my bed. I had no idea why I was going to do this. I’d never shown anyone. But I knew Jackson was lying about the bruise. I knew he had secrets too. And I knew he wouldn’t share them with me unless I could show him that I understood.
    With trembling fingers I unhooked the first bracelet. Then I discarded it on the bed. Once I had the first few off, I held up my naked wrist, showing it to Jackson. I didn’t need to look. Not at my skin or at Jackson’s face. I knew what both of them would look like.
    “Shit,” Jackson spoke under his breath. “What happened?”
    “I did it.” I stared hard at the bed, at my dark brown comforter.
    “Why?”
    I shook my head, still unable to look at him.
    Jackson’s finger tucked under my chin. “Piper, tell me.”
    I drew back from his hand. “When you tell me how you got your bruise.”
    “Fine.” He blew out a breath. “I didn’t run into a wall. I ran into my dad’s fist.”
    My head snapped up. “Your dad did this?”
    He shrugged like it was no big deal. “He’s an asshole, okay?”
    “No, it’s not okay.” Biting my lip, I moved closer to Jackson. Nimbly, I pressed my hand to the bruise. “But I get it. I know what it’s like having a jerk for a dad.”
    Jackson’s muscles flexed beneath my palm. His hand covered mine. “Your dad doesn’t hit you, does he?” Darkness sparked in Jackson’s eyes. His reaction made me feel warm inside. I was right about him. He would protect me. He would fight for me.
    I shook my head. “In order to hit me he’d have to actually be around me.” My gaze collided with Jackson’s. “Why did your dad do it?”
    “This time?”
    I nodded, feeling sick at the