Chapter Twelve
Sully was blownaway by Jane’s resolve to keep him safe. When Jude had mentioned returning to California would help them close the ranks and figure out what the hell was going on with his brother, he’d watched a change come over her. She’d wrapped her arms around her waist and paced to the window, her shoulders stiff with the weight of what she was contemplating. He’d been moved to the floor that day. While that was the decision of his medical team, three days later, Jane broached the subject of flying home.
Now, instead of starched linen sheets at his back he was upright in an upholstered airplane seat. Instead of doctors and nurses discussing his injuries, flight attendants were spaced like light posts, reviewing safety information. Squeaky gurney wheels were replaced by rolling suitcases. A child wailed, someone coughed toward the back of the plane, and a parent grumbled at a sullen teen in the aisle across from them. Meanwhile, there was a weightlessness in his chest. Home. It seemed like so long since he’d been there. Now, with Jane seated beside him, he was finally going home.
“You okay?” He covered her hand where it clutched the armrest between them.
She blew out a quick breath, angled her face toward him, and smiled. One of the real ones. It hadn’t escaped his notice that she smiled often, but the ones that shone through her eyes making them glow with warmth were genuine. He wanted to be the person to give her more smiles like that. “Shouldn’t I be askingyou? I feel like hospital security is going to chase us down for discharging you early.”
“They’d have no reason to. I’ve got my nurse right here.” He grinned, then sobered, dropping his voice low. “You have no idea what it means to me, you taking this huge leap of faith to come home with me.” He shifted in his seat to face her more fully, ignoring the way his calf muscle contracted and spasmed with the movement. He’d opted for Tylenol rather than heavier pain medication before the flight, wanting to be alert as they moved through the airport. “Actions are worth more than words,” he murmured, lifting his hand to touch her face. She’d gone weeks without anything of her own, only using what Red and Thalia had given to her and the hospital bath products. He knew she had her own money, but she had to be at a physical address before a new debit card could be issued. “And I can’t wait to prove to you that you’ve made the right decision. I want to spoil you. I’m stupid excited to smell your favorite shampoo in your hair. To discover the foods you like best. To see you in my space. Learn if you like to curl up with a book or binge trash T.V.”
Without warning, she leaned in and kissed his lips. It was quick, chaste, and sent a bolt of lightning to the soles of his feet. He stared at her, momentarily stunned.
“Ah…sorry that was impulsive.” She ran her fingers through her hair, biting the corner of her lower lip.
A fast smile broke over his face and he moved his hand from her cheek to the back of her neck, drawing her in. “I like it when you’re impulsive.” He took his time, leaning in slowly in case she wanted to back away, thankful they were in a two-person row and didn’t have company. Her eyes fluttered shut and he brushed her mouth with his own before slowly teasing her bottom lip between his. While the first kiss left him stunned, this one made his chest expand. Left him open and vulnerable. Open in a way he’d never been, as though his very soul was drawingher in. Their breath mingled as they pulled apart, but instead of moving away, Jane rested her forehead against his chin. The combination of sweetness and vulnerability undid him. He wanted to earn the right to protect everything she kept guarded. To deserve all the softness and strength she offered.
“You won’t.” She chuckled after a moment. He didn’t like the ragged hint of sarcasm buried deep within the quiet laugh. “The impulsiveness I mean. I’ve heard it gets old. I just don’t want you to believe I’m something I’m not and then feel…stuck.”
“I’ve got a feeling nothing will ever get old with you.” He placed his fingers under her chin, lifting her gaze. “And I’m going to erase the memory of whoever made you feel like you were too much.”
A smile ghosted over her lips, then faded. “I’ll remind you of this when you find me painting your bathroom lime green at three o’clock in the morning because I couldn’t sleep until I got the idea out of my head. Or when I cover your kitchen table in paints and glitter glass because I decide, on a whim, I want to be an artist instead of a nurse.”
He stared into her eyes intently and the rest of the plane seemed to fade away. “Paint the whole fucking house. Spread your beads, crystals, and acrylics all over the place. I’ll look forward to seeing what you create, because it’ll be beautiful. What I don’t want you to do is change who you are or try to be someone you think I want. Give me all of it, Jane. I’ve seen your sweetness and your spine. The way you protect and nurture. But I want to see all of you. The messy, crazed, dysregulated woman you keep hinting at. Trust me with her too, baby, because every bit of you deserves care and attention, not just the parts you deem worthy.”
Her breath hitched, eyes glittering, then she exhaled. A slow, measured sound. “I’m scared to believe you.”
“I get that.” He moved his fingers up her cheek and smoothed back her hair. “I’m scared you’re gonna steal my heart and ruin me for any other woman. I’m new to this, Jane. I haven’t had a relationship since high school. My life has always seemed too fast. Too dangerous. But there’s so many things about you that make me want to try.”
A tear built in the inner corner of her eye and tracked down her skin. He brushed it away when it reached her cheek. “You make me want to try too.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but hope surged inside him.
He leveled his gaze. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
She stared at him for one breath, then two. “Show me.” Her beautiful eyes pleaded with him, begging him not to mess up. At that moment, he couldn’t understand the saying about getting lost in someone’s eyes. Not when the dark, endless depths of hers held so much light.
“I will.” His words were an oath. One he intended to live by and uphold. Others might call him crazy for inviting a woman he’d known less than a month to stay in his home, and he didn’t give a fuck. They’d been through an intense situation and from the first moment when he guided her deeper into the river when her lungs were screaming for air, she’d taken his breath and given her trust. When they hit the surface, her only thought had been getting him to safety and keeping him comfortable while she and his fellow SEALs treated his wound. They’d been stronger together than they were apart. That meant something.
The airplane began to taxi down the runway. “Think you’ll be able to get some sleep? It’s a six-hour flight.”
“I want to stay up.” Even as she said the words, a yawn broke from her lips. She covered her mouth in a sheepish smile. “That was just coincidence. I’m not tired and I want to make sure you feel okay.”
He chuffed out a laugh and shook his head. “I’m fine. You’ve slept on a shitty hospital cot for nearly three weeks.”
“Except last night.” Her cheeks went pink, and he loved knowing she’d felt safe enough to doze off in his arms. Even in the tiny hospital bed, she fit right up against him. He’d loved the sensation of holding her through the night. He hadn’t slept much, wanting to absorb the way she wrapped her arms around his middle, the soft puffs of air that left her lips and mingled over his skin, and the way she sometimes mumbled incoherent words before snuggling into his side.
“I know you’re exhausted.” He leaned closer and kissed her temple, then wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tucked her close. Within minutes after takeoff, she was out cold and once again, it struck him deep how right it felt to have her here.
*
As the wheelstouched down, Sully give Jane a gentle shake. He dipped his head, nuzzling the soft strands of her hair and placing a kiss on the top of her head. She groaned and stirred sleepily, then her eyes popped open. “What time is it? Did I fall asleep? How long have I been out?”
Sully chuckled at her rapid-fire questions and the adorable, rumpled look about her. “Not long enough if the way you slept like a stone is any indication. When we get to my town house, I’m tucking you into bed and letting you sleep as long as you can.”
She scrubbed her hands over her face. “Your arm must be so stiff. I never felt you move once.”
“I’m happy to play the role of pillow, anytime, anywhere.”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes, then stretched, raising her arms over her head and arching her back. Theposition made the T-shirt she was wearing stretch over her breasts and a jolt shot straight to his dick. He looked away. The last thing he wanted to do was make Jane uncomfortable. She’d made the first move, then allowed him to take the kiss deeper. What happened to her on the trafficker’s boat was still fresh in his mind. Before anything physical happened between them they needed to have a conversation. He’d never do anything to hurt her or push her for more than she was willing to give.
