OBSESSED

61

JARROD

This moment couldn't get any better. I soaked in the perfection of having my woman nestled against me. She was soft and warm and compliant around my arms.

Any subtle movement earned a groan of protest from me. I wished we could stay here forever. This kind of peace didn't exist beyond these walls in the real world.

Only here, away from technology, our jobs, friends, and families, could we set our pride and mistakes aside and just be.

I never believed more strongly in this moment that she was my ideal companion and perfect partner. The guilt of sedating her and kidnapping her was catching up to me. If I fucked things up with her because I acted in a moment of panic and desperation, I would never forgive myself.

As the movie drew to its end, I glanced over at Leah. She was still staring at the television, but her eyes were half-lidded. I moved to kiss her head, and she flinched back.

A grievous sigh slipped out of my lips. I hated myself for doing this to her.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "Forgive me, sweetheart."

Her swallow was audible.

Just trust me, I wanted to say.

She wouldn't, though. My words weren't penetrating her fears.

I needed to demonstrate my willingness to protect her, even from myself. My words weren't enough after everything I'd put her through.

Rising from the couch, I grabbed Leah's hips and pulled her back flat to the couch seat. She shrieked and swatted at me. I laughed, drawing close to her face. Her eyes beamed up at me, all round and full of anticipation.

Desire flooded my system. I crawled over Leah's body, supporting myself over her by my knees on either side of her waist. My erection strained against the fabric of my joggers and poked at her pelvis.

She sucked in a sharp breath.

My lips curled up in a smirk. She might be afraid of me, but she couldn't deny the longing hunger that buzzed between our skin.

I slowly descended my lips toward hers. I waited for her to hit me or knee me in the balls but the pain and rejection never came.

Our mouths collided in a shy kiss. I moved my lips against hers with slow, teasing nibbles and sucking. She tasted like fucking heaven.

After a moment of innocent kissing, I retreated and gave her a second to breathe. Her eyes appraised me carefully.

She had doubts about my intentions for her. I understood that. I knew to expect it after meeting resistance to each previous effort I made to advance our relationship.

Since we'd met, she made it clear that her heart wasn't in a stable place after breaking up with that fuckhead. I might have taken advantage of her emotional state but I was willing to play dirty in this war if it meant earning her love back.

"I know you're sick of hearing me say it," I murmured, "but I really do love you so much." I lowered my face to nuzzle her neck. "I wish I could show you that I was better."