“You…” I sighed helplessly. “At the exhibition, I told you I was staying away from men and sex, and you acted like you had no idea.”
“Daphne.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I couldn’t tell you then that I knew something so intimate about you, not because I wanted to get you into bed, but because I was drawn to you, and if you knew Amy had told me something like that, you’d have been embarrassed around me, mad at Amy… I didn’t want you to run in the opposite direction.”
“I felt like it was all a game to you, and you wanted to make sure I fell for you because it wasn’t enough for you to just have sex with me, not after I told you about my sexual history.”
Jason frowned in disbelief. “Daphne,” he said, his voice serious. “You have to understand that your past means absolutely nothing to me, except that it makes me certain I always want to be here for you. Being with you was many things, but it was never a game.”
“I don’t know what to think,” I said softly.
He took a step toward me then stopped. “You listened to my messages.”
I nodded.
“I didn’t lie.”
“I want to trust you…”
“Then do.”
I shook my head, and he closed the distance between us, coming to stand right in front of me. I closed my eyes as my senses surrendered to his nearness.
“How do you feel about me, Daphne? Do you feel like there’s a connection that goes deeper than what we can see or touch? When we’re apart, is there an open wound in your heart that nothing can relieve?
I closed my eyes.
“Because that’s how I feel,” he continued. “I’ve been dying without you.” He took my hands in his. “Tell me you want me to stay.”
Some part of me remained desperate to run away, to hold on to that part of myself that had always been alone, but I couldn’t. My heart knew what it wanted, and it wanted Jason. Without even trying, he had lodged himself deep inside my soul, and I knew I could never be complete without him.
“I don’t want to walk away,” I said softly, shaking my head. “I can’t, not from you.”
His chest expanded. “Then don’t.”
I met his gaze, and his eyes darkened as they roved my face then he lowered his head and claimed my lips.
His kiss was hot, yet tender. My whole body flamed and soared with the fulfillment of being so close to him again. His arms came around me and pulled me tight into his chest, and then he released my lips and gazed at my face.
“I love you,” he said softly. “I love you, Daphne.”
I felt my heart expand at the words, and tears stung my eyes. I met his gaze so he could see the truth in my eyes when I said the words back to him.
“I love you, Jason.”
He smiled, happiness lighting up his features and making him look even more perfect. I lay my head on his chest and listened to the thud of his heart, happier than I’d ever been in my life. Somewhere behind me, the remnants of my shattered walls lay abandoned, but I didn’t care.
Chapter Four
Jason held me for a long time. I’d missed that, being held in the strong circle of his arms. I closed my eyes and inhaled, filling my nose with the faint spice of his cologne and the manly scent of his skin. I could stay forever in his arms and it wouldn’t be enough.
“I love you.” I repeated the words, just to feel them coming out of my lips. Jason looked at me, and his sensual lips curved in a smile as he dropped a soft kiss on my mouth.
“I missed you,” he said softly, the tenderness in his voice soothing my soul. “I missed you so much. You’ve become a part of me, Daphne. Your sassy mouth, your teasing, your dancing, your romance-novel-obsessed, no-panties-wearing self.”
A chuckle escaped me. “I am wearing panties,” I protested.
“Today you are.” He shrugged powerful shoulders, amusement lighting up his face. “Tomorrow, who knows?”
“You wish I was bare,” I retorted, laughing.