The Sheriff gathers him up, handcuffing the suddenly contrite man. His head hangs down but as they head away, he turns to me. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was never going to hurt you. I just hoped that you could help me.”
Nodding at him, I wave at the Sheriff and he tips his hat to me as he walks the guy away.
I wish that I could believe the guy but I don’t. I think he’s so afraid to lose his girl that he’s crazy and he doesn’t even realize for sure what all he’d do.
A chill skitters down my spine as I watch Sheriff Hayes lead him away.
I don’t want to think about it anymore. Hell, I don’t want to think about anything anymore. I just want to go in my house and forget the last 24 hours.
Until a warm hand touches my shoulder and tries to turn me into his arms.
Resisting, I glare at him. “I’m really tired, Jax. And you need to get home to your dog.”
“I’m sorry, Aspen. I’m so sorry. I’m an idiot. I got scared that I was going to lose you just like I’ve lost everyone else that I love and I ran.”
Tears trickle down my cheeks but I don’t turn to face him. I can’t. “I can’t do this, Jax,” I whisper. “I can’t get all caught up with you again and then have you turn and run away when things get heavy or hard.”
“I won’t. When I saw you struggling with that guy I almost lost my mind. It killed me to see another man’s hand on you. It felt wrong and I wanted to beat him to death. Wanted to kill him for touching you.”
A tremor hits me and I let him turn me around to face him. Let him see the pain on my face, the anguish that’s ripping me apart.
“Oh god, Red. I’m so damn sorry. I’m an idiot. I should never have said what I did. I shouldn’t have tried to leave you. I don’t want to. I want to stay here and watch over you, keep you safe.”
“What if something happens to scare you again?”
“Doesn’t matter. There is nothing on this earth that would scare me more than watching you turn away from me and get jumped by some asshole that thinks that he’s free to hurt you. I will spend the rest of my life protecting you, keeping you safe, if you let me.”
“What if I want to protect you?”
He chuckles and the hard lines of his face loosen up a little. “I would gladly let you. As long as you don’t put yourself in danger.I’ll spank your round little ass if you ever do something that reckless.”
Frissons of desire sizzle along my nerves when I think about what he’s saying. “That doesn’t sound that bad, Jax.”
He groans and tugs me closer, until I’m buried in his chest, smelling that unique, spicy scent that is so totally him. Then his big hand comes up to tilt my chin up. His amber eyes are bright gold with love and desire and my breath jerks in my chest.
“I love you, Aspen. I hate that it scares me and it always led me away from you but there’s something that’s more terrifying and that’s losing you. Even to my own damn fear. I promise that from this moment on, I’m not going to ever let you go. You’re mine, you’ll always be mine. And I’ll always be yours. I want to grow old with you, raise kids with you, if you want to. I know that you’re a little older than me and that’s okay. If you don’t want kids, you’re enough for me. You’ll always be enough for me.”
Lifting my hand, I settle it on his jaw, going boneless when his eyes close and he leans into my hand. “I just want you. If something else comes along, I am sure that we’ll handle it.”
“I love you. More than I ever thought I would or could.”
“I love you too. Now…are you coming in…or?” My brow lifts and he grins cheekily.
“Oh…I’m coming in. I’m coming in and I’m gonna rock your world…if you let me.”
I don’t answer him, just hold his hand and lead him to the door, unlocking it and slipping inside, pulling him along behind me.
We barely get inside the door and he slams it shut and his arms are around me, tugging at my clothes and his lips slam on mine, leaving me gasping and breathless.
CHAPTER 11
Jaxon
She feels like silk under my fingers. Warm, soft, sweet silk. And her curves fit my palms like they’re made for me. Her lush hips rest against mine as I devour every gasp and moan, our tongues tangling together.
I grind my hips into hers and it feels so damn good that I almost come in my fucking pants like an untried teenager.
I lift my mouth and groan, sliding my mouth down her jaw and over her throat, biting and nipping, sucking until I leave marks. I don’t give a fuck either.
