Into My Heart
By: Izabel
Chapter 6: Tell Me How You Feel
*~*~*~*
One week later…
"You got that?" Kekoa yelled to Max as the timer to the oven buzzed obnoxiously. Max sailed past her and flipped the button. Jason tossed her an oven mitt and she pulled the casserole from the oven. She set it onto the stovetop.
JD, Jason, and Kekoa were all over for dinner at her house. They all sat and ate. Once done, Kekoa and JD were supposed to leave.
"Just go!" Max urged. "Jason and I got the dishes."
"We do?" he asked, looking skeptical.
"Yes," Max said, swatting at his arm. He caught it and pulled her onto his lap.
Kekoa eyed JD. "Maybe we should go…"
"Hey!" Max yelled as they ran out the door. She turned and kissed Jason before getting up. She pulled him with her.
She began to clean a few of the utensils they had used. She washed a large carving knife. Jason came behind her and pulled the knife from her hands, pinning her, without meaning to, against the counter, the knife pointing at her.
FLASHBACK
"Do you see this knife, Maxie?" Todd taunted. Max huddled against the door. Todd whipped her around and pressed the knife against her stomach. Max gasped.
"Please, Todd!" she begged.
Todd smiled sadistically. He pressed harder, the knife cut into her skin. Then he pulled away. Max clutched her stomach, blood seeping through the cracks in her slender fingers.
"Next time, I may to be so loving," Todd said without turning around as he washed the weapon. "I might kill you."
Max sank to the floor in desperation and fear.
The cut had required eighteen stitches. She's had to tell her father she'd cut herself on the knife while cleaning it. It just…slipped from hr grasp and cut her.
Yeah, right.
Max shut her eyes and pushed off the counter, nearly knocking Jason on the floor.
"Max?" he asked slowly. He set the knife down. "What?"
Max turned and lifted her shirt a bit to expose her stomach a bit. A scar ran across the left side. Jason looked at her expectantly; hoping it wasn't what he thought.
Max laughed bitterly, lowering her shirt. "Another perk to being with Todd. I forget what I did—or didn't do—, but he found it necessary to cut me."
Jason silently pulled her to him. He stroked her hair as she clutched him. He could feel her nails digging into his back through his shirt. She pulled away and looked up at him, desire burning in her eyes. He quickly lowered his mouth to hers in a fiery kiss.
The stumbled back onto the couch, Jason spread on top of Max. Max lifted Jason's shirt over his head, raking her nails across his wide chest. Jason pulled off Max's tank top, and his fingers fumbled at the clasp of her bra. That was soon discarded as well—tossed on the floor carelessly.
Jason pulled away and looked into Max's eyes. "Are you sure?"
Her response was kissing him harder.
Nearly two hours later, Jason pulled the afghan from the back of the couch around them. Max lay on top of him, curled tightly against his body.
Max giggled softly. "We never did clean up the kitchen."
Jason's low laugh rumbled beneath her. "I know," he replied. He sighed. "God, that was great."
Max laughed loudly. "Well, thanks. I do try." She glanced at the clock on the VCR. "It's almost one in the morning. And we have to get up early tomorrow for training."
Jason shook his head. "No, you do."
Max slapped his chest with her palm. "I hate you."
"Aww," Jason cooed childishly. "I love you, too."
Turning serious, Max twisted so she was facing him. "Do you really?"
"Huh?" Jason said, opening his eyes.
"Do you love me?" Max said slowly, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Jason stared at her, taking in all of her. He's been waiting for this night since the day he'd met her. But it was more than just a physical thing. He wanted her to come to him when she was upset; he wanted her around at night. He wanted to protect her. "I think I do."
Max blinked. "Really?"
Jason smirked. "What's not to love? You're smart, beautiful, intelligent, and I like having you around."
Max arched an eyebrow. "Well, then, if you like having me around—"
"Max," he said, cutting her off. He sat up and pulled her onto his lap. He held her face with his hands. "I love you."
Max smiled gently. "I love you, too." Jason smiled and leaned back down, and the two fell asleep in each other's arms.