Under Pressure(29)

Jason watched Bella reset the alarm, automatically noting the number combination for future use. He glanced around the living room, taking in everything he saw. Colors splashed vividly across the space. Vibrant paintings hung on deep maroon walls. He took in the numerous picture frames and knickknacks that made the room cozy, giving it a sense of warmth and welcome.

Pulling Bella close, he hugged her to him. On a sigh, she went willingly into his embrace. His mind was spinning with so many different emotions, he was utterly shocked at how important the woman in his arms had become in such a short time. There was no doubt in his mind, he would kill for her. His hands rubbed slowly down her back in soothing motions.

“Let’s go to bed,” she whispered. “I know we have stuff to talk about still, but not tonight, okay?”

“All right.”

Bella took his hand in hers as she led him to her bedroom. She moved to turn on the bedside lamp, and he stood behind her and inhaled her scent deeply.

Her room smelled so pretty and feminine, so her.

The walls were painted a pale sunny yellow, and the white duvet cover on her queen-size bed was accented with bright flowers. She sat on the side of the bed and held a hand out to him. That was all the invitation he needed as he crossed the length of the room to take her small hand in his. Sitting next to her, he stroked her cheek lightly. She leaned over and kissed him softly.

Jason cleared his throat. “It’s been a long night, sweetheart. We should go to sleep.”

Staring into his mercury eyes, she smiled. “I want you, Jason. I’ve dreamed of you, here with me, since that night.”

Christ, she was trying to kill him. Lust ripped through his entire body making his cock jerk against the fly of his pants. He fought for control over his raging hormones. “I’ve dreamt of you, too. I’m here now, love, exactly where I want to be.”

She laughed, tilting her head to the side. “Do you know your accent changes? At first I thought you were English, but I can hear the Scot in you sometimes.”

“Aye, it does, when I get emotional I seem to revert back to the brogue. It doesn’t happen often, hardly ever, but when I’m with you it seems to happen quite a lot.”

“I love it. I could listen to you talk for hours.”

Jason frowned slightly. He didn’t talk much, and he was struggling to find something to say.

Bella laughed at his expression. “I didn’t mean now, silly.”

Tonight had been so surreal. She could hardly believe that she was sitting here in her bedroom with Jason. He was so big, so strong, so handsome that he took her breath away. With the knowledge that he knew everything about what had happened to her, a peace settled over her. He knew, and yet here he was. He knew, and he still wanted her. Nothing could have assured her more than seeing him look at her with the same desire she had seen before he knew the truth about her.

Taking a deep breath, Bella rose from the bed to stand in front of him between his knees. She grabbed the hem of her shirt in her hands and hesitated. Jason’s gaze was tender and encouraging as she gathered her courage and pulled it off, baring herself to him. She held her breath as Jason’s eyes swept over her.

She was perfect. Her full lush breasts were practically spilling out of a delicate lace bra she wore. He knew just by looking at her that she would fit perfectly in his large hands. Her creamy skin made him itch to touch, but his gaze moved lower. His hand reached out to brush up against the scars marring her lower abdomen where the knife wounds had healed but still puckered her skin. She sucked in a sharp breath as his fingertips made contact with her skin.

He looked up quickly but relaxed again when he saw no fear in her gaze. “There’s my brave, beautiful lass,” he murmured, pulling her closer to him so his lips touched each scar on her trembling stomach. Her hands came up to lace into his hair, holding his head to her as a shudder racked her body. She pulled the tie binding his hair back as she sank her hands into his raven locks and ran her fingers through.

He leaned back to look into her eyes as he reached around her back to unclasp her bra. His eyes had darkened with desire, and they held her mesmerized. His breath was let out on a groan as the satin and lace slid off to expose her bare breasts to him. “So pretty, sweet lass, you’re beautiful.”

Her generous breasts fit his hands perfectly as he rubbed his thumbs over each pert, rosy nipple. They were tight, exposed to the cool air, and Jason wanted to suck them in his mouth. He leaned forward slowly and stroked his tongue over her right nipple, making it tighten even more like a ripe berry ready for plucking. He did the same to her other breast and wanted to growl with satisfaction when he felt her body shudder again. She was breathtaking, so strong, so brave standing before him, baring herself to him.