Right now she was so anxious to see Jason, she couldn’t stand it. Last night had been hard, sleeping at the ranger tower and wondering if Tessa was messing with him while Georgia was away. She’d wanted to stay the night, but it had seemed too soon.
“Your man is in the ugly trailer,” Willa said with a wink.
“Oh, Jason’s not my—”
“Save it! He turned all mushy when he talked about you earlier. He’s yours.”
The heat was back in her cheeks, so Georgia waved her thanks and speed-walked for the trailer with the lopsided house number, 1010.
To get to the front door, she had to cross a sprawling porch with fragrant cedar planks and a pair of antique white rocking chairs. Outdoor lights were strung from a pergola above, and someone had attached empty flower boxes to the railing. The porch did wonders for the curb appeal of the old singlewide. She knocked softly. He’d hear it. He was a bear shifter with incredible hearing.
“Come in,” Jason called from inside.
Georgia pushed open the screen door and froze. The trailer surprised her. The walls were whitewashed, and the laminate wood flooring was dark in contrast. The wooden beams across the ceiling were sagging a bit but gave the living area character. To the left was a small kitchen with faux wood counters and white cabinets. And if she ignored the mouse dragging an orange peel across the floor, the place looked downright homey. The candles flickering on the small dining room table added to the ambiance, too.
The stretch of her smile felt good as she looked around, but when her gaze landed on Jason, she drew up short.
He looked exhausted and something more…nervous? He straightened an orange throw pillow on the couch.
“Hey,” she said softly. “Did you see Tessa today?” She already knew the answer, though.
Jason’s dark eyes looked dim and haunted, and even his posture was different. Weaker. He tried to smile, but the expression faltered and morphed into a grimace. Oh, that Tessa had done a number on him today.
Georgia approached and slid her arms around him. Jason swayed slightly, back and forth, as he buried his face against her neck. Inhaling deeply, he pulled her tight against his chest and seemed content to just be. Relief washed off him in waves as he gripped the back of her hair and held her close.
“Damn, Ranger. It sure is good to hold you again.”
Back and forth he rocked in a slow dance that didn’t require words here in this old trailer. He brushed his lips against her temple and sighed. With the exhalation, his muscles relaxed. Jason was tall enough to rest his chin on top of her head, but he didn’t. Instead, he brushed his two day scruff gently against her cheek.
Closing her eyes, she melted against him. She’d never felt so safe before.
Just to feel closer, she unzipped her jacket and slid it from her shoulders onto the floor. His heart drummed against her chest, and she fell harder for him. She’d embraced people before, but this was different. This was more. This was falling in love without words. It was terrifying and exciting. It was butterflies and happiness and imaginings of a future that would stretch on and on if only Tessa would leave him alone.
How he’d handled being haunted by his late mate without going mad was beyond her and a testament to how strong Jason was. He was being hounded relentlessly by the same being that took his humanity, and he was still upright—still trying.
“Why are you cryin’?” he asked, lifting her chin.
Was she? Twin tears streaked down her cheeks, and she wiped one on her shoulder, unable to hold his gaze. Heart aching, she whispered, “I wish things were different for you.” For us.
The corner of his lips lifted in a smile. “Sweet Georgia.” He shook his head, eyes on her. “I sure got lucky with you.”
But he couldn’t see that she was the lucky one.
“It’s too soon. I know it is, but I want you to live here.” Back and forth, back and forth. “I helped Gia move out of here and into Creed’s trailer. I want you close so I can see you when I want. I want you sleeping near me so I don’t have to worry about you being cold in that tower. Above everything else, I want you to be happy. To smile and to see these woods as more than just a temporary home. I’m not asking you to make this old trailer your home to keep Tessa at bay either, Georgia. I want you here for me. I’m asking you to settle for less than you deserve, and I know what that makes me. It makes me selfish.”
“No,” she said, resting her cheek against his chest. She splayed her hands over the thin material of his sweater, right over his heartbeat, so steady under her fingers. “It makes you mine.”
A soft rumble rattled against her palm, but she wasn’t scared of his animal anymore. Jason wouldn’t hurt her. It was a happy noise for only her. The gaunt look had left his face, and his features had softened. She’d done that—affected the exhaustion caused by the awful things Tessa had been spewing at him. Tessa broke him every day, but Georgia could put him back together. She knew she could.