…Mel had kissed Jack when he was fixing the pillows behind her the night she was attacked?
Mel shifts in bed, trying to adjust the pillows behind her when one of them falls to the floor. "Here, let me," Jack says as he places the pillow back on the bed, his face only inches from hers. Their eyes lock, and Mel feels an unmistakable surge of desire rush through her body, her eyes darting between his eyes and his lips. He freezes, unable to look away, and she sees her desire reflecting in his clear blue eyes. Her heart starts pounding, and before she can change her mind, she places her palms on either side of his face and pulls him closer, giving him a quick kiss before retreating, waiting to gauge his reaction.
"Mel?" he whispers, a question. Is this ok? Are you sure? What does this mean? She can see the uncertainty marring his expression. Before she can think, she kisses him again, this time opening her mouth to his. It takes a second for him to react, and she feels his tongue slip between her lips, kissing her deeply. He is leaning over her, careful not to disturb her injured ankle. This time it is him who breaks the kiss.
"Are you sure you're ok?" he breathes, leaning his forehead against hers.
She nods, "Yes," she insists weakly, but he is not fooled.
"Do you want me to stay?" he asks.
"Yes," she admits, not meeting his gaze. He shucks off his jacket, placing it on the hook by the door before returning to her side. She pats the space on the bed next to her, and he removes his shoes before climbing in, propping up a pillow behind himself so that he can sit upright alongside her. He hears her sniffle and looks at her just as a tear begins its path down her cheek.
"Hey," he says, taking her hand in his, "You're ok, I'm not going anywhere. You're safe."
"I know," she says, wiping her tears away with her free hand. "It isn't that. It's just that…" she trails off.
"You can tell me anything," he reminds her, squeezing her hand gently for reassurance.
"I know," she replies. "That's the problem," she adds, under her breath.
"Mel," he whispers, raising their joined hands to his lips and kissing the back of her hand.
She sighs, "This would be a lot easier if you weren't so wonderful," she tells him.
"What?" he laughs in surprise.
"This, all of it," she replies. "You, Charmaine, the baby. I would have just stayed in L.A. and never returned. But I couldn't."
"Why not?" he wonders.
"Because I missed you," she says quietly.
"I missed you, too," he replies, "More than you know."
She turns to look at him now, her eyes still filled with unshed tears. Their eyes lock once more, and she feels it, this magnetic pull she always feels whenever she is close to him. He leans in, resting his forehead against hers.
"I'm not ready," she whispers. "I'm sorry. I know I'm being unfair to you."
"No," he insists, "You've been through a lot. More than I could even imagine…" he trails off before continuing. "Would things be any different if Charmaine weren't pregnant?" he asks quietly.
"I don't know," she answers honestly. "I care about you," she tells him, "A lot."
"But?" he questions.
"But I'm afraid," she adds.
"Of what?" he asks.
"Of this," she gestures between the two of them. "Of letting myself love you. What if I lose you, too? What if I can't give you what you deserve? I'm so broken, Jack."
"You're not broken, you're perfect," he insists, putting his arm around her and pulling her closer. She relaxes into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I am far from perfect," she replies. She sits up, gazing into his eyes, and her heart begins pounding again. "You're really not making this easy, you know that?" And with that, she kisses him.
Jack tries to hold himself back, he really does, but the feeling of her lips on his ignites something within him, and he presses his mouth against hers, his tongue tracing the seam of her lips. Then she does something unexpected, she half sighs, half moans into his mouth, and he swears it is the sexiest sound he has ever heard in his life. He twists towards her, hovering over her as she leans back onto the pillows, and kisses her deeply. Her hands are in his hair, anchoring his mouth to hers.
He breaks the kiss, wanting her more than he can say, but also knowing that she isn't ready. He leans his forehead against hers, trying to calm himself. "Mel," he breathes, opening his eyes to look into hers.
"I know," she whispers, her eyes filling with tears.
"Hey," he says, "What is it?"
"I'm just…overwhelmed," she replies, softly. "You're so wonderful, Jack."
He laughs halfheartedly. "Only when I am with you," he says, kissing her forehead and pulling her close again, holding her against his chest. "When I heard you screaming, it was like a knife stabbing me through my chest. If anything ever happened to you…"
"I know," she answers. "It's how I feel about you too, but I'm ok, Jack. You saved me, again."
"I would die before I let anything happen to you," he says honestly, and she knows it is the truth.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" she asks tentatively, turning to look at him. "Will you just…hold me?"
"As long as you want," he replies reassuringly. "How is your ankle?"
"Still a little sore, but feeling better. Must be the ibuprofen," she adds. She looks around the cabin, nervously. "I want to change into my pajamas, but I don't know if I can do it myself."
"Do you want me to help you?" he asks. "I promise to be on my best behavior," he adds, his eyes sparkling.
She directs him to find her pajamas in the dresser, and he helps her into the bathroom so that she can change. When she emerges, teeth brushed and face clean of makeup, he marvels that she is still the most beautiful woman that he's ever seen.
"What?" she asks when she catches him staring at her.
"You're beautiful," he says honestly, and she blushes.
"Jack," she murmurs, giving him a once over before she says, "I'm sorry that I don't have anything more comfortable for you to sleep in."
"It's ok," he replies. "I usually don't wear pajamas. Just a pair of shorts or pants is all. I'll be fine."
He disappears in the bathroom to freshen up and returns with his flannel shirt unbuttoned. Now it is Mel's turn to stare as he walks around the bed and sits on the edge as he removes his jeans and his shirt, leaving him only in a pair of boxer briefs.
Mel bites her lower lip and her eyes rake over his body as he stands and gets into bed, pulling the covers over him. "Oh, I'm sorry," he says to her as he takes in her expression, "Is this too much? Or not enough?"
"I'm not complaining," she says, biting her lip again, and it takes everything in his power not to devour her right then and there. She blushes, unable to meet his eyes, and he reaches out, tilting her chin up and forcing her to look at him.
"What is it?" he asks.
"You're beautiful," she tells him, echoing his words, and he smiles.
"Well," he whispers, his voice smooth like silk, "Looks like we belong together then."
She kisses him then, lightly at first, but it soon deepens. His hands are in her hair, holding her close, as hers explore his bare chest. He shivers at her touch, emitting a moan from deep in his throat that only serves to spur her on more. Abruptly, she breaks the kiss, breathing hard as she leans her head against his. "I'm so sorry," she murmurs.
"Never be sorry for that," he amends, and she smiles. He pulls her into a hug, cradling her against his body as they snuggle underneath the covers. She places her ear over his heart, loving the sound of it beating. She trails her fingertips lightly over his chest and sides, and she hears his heart stutter and begin beating rapidly, a smile forming on her lips.
"Thank you," she whispers into the darkness of the room.
"For what?" he asks.
"For saving me tonight. For being amazing. For always being there when I need you," she replies.
He smiles, wrapping his arms more tightly around her. "Always," he replies, as they drift off to sleep in each other's arms.