Chapter 10

Elizabeth spent all day debating whether she should approach Jason about what had happened the night before and Jason pondered the same. He sat in his meetings and went over the arrangements for the changes to be made to the business, the entire time she was in his head and wouldn't go away, she was like a virus.

Jason knew what he wanted. He had figured it all out last night. There was a definite attraction and under normal circumstances he would have taken the opportunity when he arrived home the previous night, woken her up and had them both naked in ten seconds. Elizabeth was different, she was first and foremost, his best friend. He took their friendship seriously and would never want to take advantage of their friendship or her vulnerability. With the breakup and miscarriage, she was definitely on an emotional roller coaster. The kiss was a mistake, as much as he wanted it, he concluded that she didn't. Maybe on the surface she did but he knew that there were no underlying feelings, not like his.

In the end he decided to save their friendship. Eventually, once the awkwardness was gone, he would talk to her about what happened and apologize for taking advantage of her. He also decided that when they get home tomorrow night, he needed a night at Jakes. It was going to be hard to bottle up the feelings he was having but it was what he had to do. He loved her, there was no doubt about that but he also knew that he was no good for her. His life was something that he did not want touching her, he loved her too much for that to happen.

Elizabeth also spent the day thinking about what was happening between them. In all her years with Lucky, she never felt how she currently did. Every time her mind drifted to the memory of him kissing her she would get butterflies in her stomach. She hadn't had a feeling like that since she was fifteen kissing Kevin Marquetti at the Homecoming dance. He was a senior and she was only a sophomore, she could still remember the way her knees were shaking. With Jason it was much of the same, fluttering stomach, shaky knees and a kiss that reached every nerve ending.

Eventually every time she would think about her and Jason as a couple she would find something to occupy her. Since they were leaving the next day, she cleaned the house, she went for a swim in the pool and even prepared dinner for when he got back. She was determined for things to be normal. Even though she did want him as more then a friend, she knew that it wouldn't happen. What had happened last night was a fluke, probably because of the things she said when her mouth had gotten the best of her, blurting out how she had been feeling.

When Jason arrived, he found Elizabeth in the kitchen and a smile instantly formed on his face. "Now this isn't something that you see every day." He teased.

"I figured it was our last night here and we both could probably us a good meal."

Jason nodded his head, "I can't believe you cooked." He again teased as he walked over to the stove.

Elizabeth chuckled, "Well I didn't cook that much. I just made a salad and I found some potatoes in the fridge so I cut them up and they are cooking in some seasonings. I don't know how it is going to taste though." She flashed him a smile, glad the awkwardness was gone for the moment. "I do need your help though… there are burgers that need to be grilled and I'm not that good at grilling… actually I suck at it."

Jason shrugged, "I haven't grilled in a while but I think I can handle it." He grabbed a beer out of the fridge and offered her one as well, which she took.

When they sat to eat, they both were relaxed, probably because Jason was on his second beer and Elizabeth had just finished hers. Neither of them were drunk but they finally felt normal. "So…" Elizabeth finally said. "About the money."

Jason took a bite from his burger and shook his head as he chewed. "No, we aren't going there." He sat back in his chair and continued, "I really want you to have that money… and it's not like I am giving you my money. We won it, together."

"It's so much money Jason."

"I know, we split the total, I have the same amount. Think of it as help to get started on a new place or even get a car to replace that heap you drive."

"It's not a heap, it's a classic." She shot at him and cast him a not so sincere angry glare.

Jason chuckled, "Well it barely runs." He leaned forward and attempted a second bite of the potatoes she made but they were still just as bad. "Or you could take cooking lessons."

"JASON!" Elizabeth screeched and threw a piece of potato from her plate at him. He ducked and it flew over his head.

"I'm just kidding."

"No you aren't. They are bad, I know they are." She said puffing out her lower lip in a pout. "I don't get it though, how could they be almost burnt on the outside and crunchy and uncooked on the inside?"

"Maybe the burner was too high, it doesn't matter. The salad is good."

Elizabeth looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Anyway…" she said as she stood and carried her plate to the sink. "About the money…"

"Webber, just take the damn money and stop being so stubborn." He said as he watched her carry her plate to the sink. "Leave the dishes, we'll clean them later. Want another beer?"

Elizabeth shook her head, "I'm good. I think I'm just going to go sit outside on the porch for a little while."

Jason stood with his plate, "Coffee?"

Elizabeth just shook her head. She wasn't sure why but she suddenly felt sad to be leaving the island. As he walked past her he grabbed her wrist. "Hey… are you ok?"

"Yea, I'm fine." She assured him and he released her small wrist.

He watched her walk out the door and stood for a while debating whether he should join her on the porch or give her some space. Something was definitely bothering her but he worried that it was because of him. Maybe she felt taken advantage of or was disappointed in him.

Elizabeth was curled up with her feet tucked beneath her. She looked out over the ocean, enjoying the soothing sound of the waves crashing not far from where she sat. When she heard the door open, looked over and saw Jason standing there, "Want some company?"

She smiled "Sure," then shifted on the bench to make room for him.

He sat on the large cushion beside her. "Are you really ok? Are you mad?" he left the question open ended, did not want to specify what she could be mad about.

She shook her head, "I'm not mad Jason… I guess I'm a little sad to leave tomorrow."

Instantly relieved, he extended his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his side, mumbling that he did not want to leave either. She scooted over and rested her head on his chest. Completely aware that he shouldn't, but he couldn't help himself, he wrapped his other hand around her knees and pulled them across his legs so that her legs were draped over his.

Jason's hand was resting on her calf and that flutter in her stomach had returned as his thumb gently stroked her skin. His other hand on her lower back was resting on a small part of exposed skin, that thumb slowly rubbing as well. Elizabeth had an arm that was stuck between them and the other rested on her own thigh.

Jason cleared his throat then gently traced the small cut on her knee, "How is it?" He asked in a voice no more then a whisper.

"It's fi… fine." Elizabeth replied as she watched his rough hands slide past her knee and up her leg to meet her hand resting on her thigh.

After sucking in a deep breath of vanilla and cocoa butter he spoke again with a low and husky voice, "Does it hurt?" he asked as his fingertips softly traced hers.

"Uh uh." Elizabeth mumbled as she turned her palm over. Jason linked his fingers through hers and gently squeezed then he again slid his fingers along hers and brushed his fingertips over her palms before sliding to the underside of her wrist. She was certain that Jason could feel her heart thumping in her chest but could not bring herself to move away from him. As his soft touch left her wrist and traveled up her arm, goose bumps formed and she shivered… except she was not cold, in fact she was extremely warm.

The coil in her stomach tightened even more when his hand reached her shoulder. Her hand moved from her leg to rest on his chest beside her head where she was surprised to feel his heartbeat as fast as her own. Then his hand was on her face and she heard him whisper her name.

When Elizabeth lifted her head from his chest and looked up at him, his heart skipped a beat. Her cheeks were flushed and she was nervously chewing on her lower lip. Their eyes locked and his hand splayed across her cheek. His thumb spread to her chin and gently tugged to free her bottom lip from her teeth. They gazed into each other's eyes, each waiting for the other to pull away and neither did. His thumb traced along her bottom lip and her eyes fluttered closed as his head dipped toward hers. His lips gently brushed against hers as she slid her hand from his chest to thread through his sandy locks.

His lips moved slowly over hers and Elizabeth felt like she was floating Her fingernails gently raked through his hair to urge him on… and he did. His tongue swirled and danced with hers as his hand on her back slid beneath the seam of her tank top, burning her skin under his touch. Jason drank in a soft sigh from Elizabeth and pulled away so they both could catch their breath. As Elizabeth sat in his arms and gazed into his eyes, the reality of the situation settled in. There was no work that was calling Jason away tonight, no one to interrupt them and no significant others to block her feelings for him.

Jason could see a change in her eyes. One minute they were filled with desire and seconds later they looked scared. She shifted out of his arms and stood from the bench then crossed the porch and leaned against the railing, her back to him.

Things had gone too far. He allowed himself to get caught up in the moment, in the feel of her beside him and the feelings he had been having. If he didn't before, he had now definitely taken advantage of her. "Fuck!" he growled as he buried his head in his hands. This time it wasn't quiet or to himself and when Elizabeth heard him, she looked back at him with sad eyes.