~ JESSE ~
There was a jolt of fear in him before he locked himself down. At first I thought he'd shut off the bond, but as I began to push up, intending to get off this ridiculous couch and talk to him, he kept that hand planted between my shoulder blades and shook his head- and never dropped eye contact.
'I'm still here, I'm just…'
I could feel his fear, I realized. Feel the way he wanted to squirm with the discomfort of that little honesty. It made my heart swell.
"Cazz, what are your boundaries?" I murmured, wanting to reach for him, but sensing that he might actually bolt if I did.
His brows pinched, and he tilted his head with a strange smile. "I'm going to bind you, and you're asking my boundaries?"
"Yes."
He huffed, shaking his head. "You always find a way to surprise me, Jesse."
"Good."
He huffed again, then started to stand up. But I grabbed his hand and yanked him back down.
"Don't deflect. Answer the question."