Going to the kitchen on silent feet, Jason saw she wasn’t there. Seeing an opened door, he looked out to see Bella sitting on an enclosed porch with Liz, silently weeping into her hands.
The ice surrounding his heart shattered into a million pieces as he watched her. Jason quietly opened the door and went to her, barely making a sound. Before she could react, he had lifted her up and sat down, cradling her in his lap as he pulled her head to his chest.
“Go on, lass. Cry, darlin’. I’ll hold you, just let go and hold on to me. I’ll keep you safe.” She didn’t want to, but she sobbed, burrowing into his chest and wept the pain away.
Liz watched him silently and Jason met her stare unblinking. She watched as the large man holding her friend whispered words of love against her temple as he stroked his hand over her hair soothingly. Liz finally gave him a small sad smile and reached out to squeeze his shoulder as she got up and left.
Long minutes passed before Bella took a deep shuddering breath and tried to regain control as her sobs receded. She inhaled Jason’s scent, breathing him in deeply, knowing that this was probably the last time. Trying to sit up, she pushed back, only to have his strong arms pull her closer to him, settling her once again against his warmth. “I’m sorry. Thank you. Jason…I’m sorry, for the other night, for everything. I panicked. I—”
“You don’t have to explain. Sweet lass, I’m sorry I pushed you, too fast…too soon.” His voice was quiet as he kissed her forehead gently while his hands rubbed her back in soothing strokes. It was as if he held something precious, and it made the tears shimmer in her eyes once more.
“I…appreciate what you said to my brothers earlier. But you must realize that can’t happen. I…I’m not the person you thought I was. I’m not…I can’t have a normal relationship with you.”
Jason looked down at her, a fierce frown creasing his strong face, jaw clenched, making him look like a warrior of old. “Sweetheart, I see you. Do you think what you just told me changes how I feel? Yes, it does change something.” Bella tried to move off his lap again, but he held fast. “Quiet now. It did change us. Normal? Do you think I’m normal? People say I’m a cold, unfeeling bastard. A machine with no emotions. I usually am, but with you I’m different.” His voice was rough with emotion.
“You make me feel. I was angry when you left the other night. Hell, I was livid…maybe even hurt. That’s a first for me. I dinna want to admit what you made me feel. But now, now I understand, and I’m not mad anymore. Not at you. Now I’m furious, but at the bloody fucking bastard that dared to hurt you. Not at you. Never at you.”
He pushed her head back down on his chest. His hands stroked over her back, pulling her closer as if he could pull her into him, into the shelter of his own body. With a heavy sigh, he forced himself to continue.
“I tried to forget you, but I couldn’t. I made the decision to find you. This past week I wanted you, wanted to see you, touch you, taste you, just you, no other. That was before I knew. Now, I want all those things and more. I want to hold you close, keep you safe with me. I want to be the one you turn to when you cry, calm you when the nightmares come. I can’t explain it. I don’t know if I can. I don’t think I even understand it, but I need you to be safe, here where I can feel you. Just be with you.”
His deep voice comforted her in a way she had never known.
Jason pressed his head down on the top of hers, stroking his hand slowly over her back. “Sparks flew between us from the first, love. You may have just melted my ice with your fiery spirit, and now I crave more. Make me burn, lass. Don’t give up on us.” He lifted her chin to rub his lips slowly over hers. Moaning, she put her arm around his neck and gave into the sensations.
Lost in longing, Bella stretched toward him wanting more of his taste, more of everything. She opened her mouth slightly and was immediately rewarded as Jason’s tongue stroked in. His tongue danced with hers in a soft, slow mating, making her sigh with pleasure. Finally she pulled back to look at him. He gave her a small smile that made her heart speed up.
“I…I have scars.”
“You show me yours, and I’ll show you mine,” he whispered back, causing her to let out a startled giggle. The low, husky sound of her laugh sent a shiver down Jason’s spine.
“I didn’t think you would want me still…after you knew.” Bella almost cringed at the dark look on Jason’s face.
“You don’t think much of me.”
Shaking her head, Bella stroked a hand over the side of his face lovingly. “I think of you too much,” she confessed in a shaky whisper.