Standby (Open Skies Book 4) by Becca Jameson (popular e readers .TXT) 📕

of sight. “I can’t believe it’s over. How did you find me? And how did you get here so fast?”

“Heather called me within minutes of your abduction. I raced to the airport. Raeann tracked down Marilyn who told her about this cabin. It was the most logical place to take you, so we hurried here as fast as we could.”

“I can’t believe you came all the way across the country to find me.”

He frowned. “What was I going to do? Pop a movie in and put my feet up while waiting for the cops to decide your abduction was a priority?”

She sniffled.

“One of these days I’m going to convince you that you mean something to me and you will stop questioning my feelings.”

She nodded, overwhelmed with emotion. Obviously, he cared. He was here. He’d saved her life. His friend had gotten shot helping.

Shit. She leaned out the open car door. “Jason? Are you okay?” She felt incredibly selfish forgetting he’d been shot.

“I’m fine.” He leaned closer and held out his arm. White gauze was wrapped around his biceps. “Nothing more than a scratch. Won’t even need a stitch.”

“Libby must be freaking out.” A new wave of panic filled her.

“Relax. Hatch will call her as soon as we get into cell range.”

“I still can’t believe you came so fast.” She swiped at tears running down her cheeks and leaned her head against Jake’s shoulder, gripping his shirt with her fist. She never wanted to let go of this man who crossed the country to save her.

Chapter 24

Two days later…

Jake knocked on the bathroom door as Shayla was drying off from her shower. “Sweetheart?”

She glanced at the door to make sure it was indeed locked and then wrapped the towel around her. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Okay. Your mom just called again. I told her you would call her back in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.” She glanced at herself in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door, spinning around slowly to make sure she was fully covered. She’d already spoken to both her parents twice today and about ten times in the last two days. At first, they’d insisted on coming to Dallas, but she’d talked them out of it, promising she was fine and would come visit them soon.

Realizing a bit late that she hadn’t brought any clothes into the bathroom, she headed for the door and opened it. Startled to find Jake leaning in the jamb inches away from her, she flattened a palm over her chest and gasped. “You scared me.”

“You’re hiding from me.” He narrowed his gaze. “It’s been two days, Shayla.”

She swallowed and forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’m just still trying to find my bearings. I promise I’ll be okay soon.”

“I think you’re lying.”

She tipped her head toward the floor. “Why would I be lying?”

“If I thought you were pulling away from me because you weren’t ready to have sex, I’d buy that. But that’s not it. You snuggle against me as if you’re magnetically attached to me the moment you have clothes on. And then you avoid me when you’re naked.”

“It’s just a coincidence.” She shrugged.

“Is it?”

“Of course.”

He shook his head. “Prove it. Let me see your body, sweetheart.” His voice was soft.

She pulled the towel tighter around her chest. “You’ve seen me naked before.”

“Yep. So why can’t I see you naked now?”

“You can. Just… Let’s wait a bit longer.” She wasn’t sure how long she could put him off. It had only been two days. She’d never be able to convince him she needed space for another week or two.

Jake was blocking the door, and he sighed, swiping a hand down his face. “You said he didn’t rape you. Was that true?”

“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. “I swear. He did not. He was too drunk to get the button on my jeans undone.”

“Okay. I believe you. Now show me what he did do.”

She flinched. He was sharp. She thought maybe she was getting away with not telling him, but apparently not.

“I assume it’s bad, but I’d rather know, Shayla. I’m not patient enough to wait for the bruising to go away. That could take a long time.”

She drew in a breath. “I didn’t want you to see. I don’t want you to freak out. I’m fine. He roughed me up a bit, but he didn’t rape me and he didn’t kill me. I’m going to be okay.”

“Great. I believe you. Lose the towel.” He reached a hand out toward her. “Give me your hand, sweetheart.”

She tentatively set her palm in his and let him lead her into the bedroom. When they reached the bed, he lifted her by the hips and lowered her onto the mattress. A moment later, he hovered over her and then leaned down and kissed her.

The kiss deepened, as his kisses always did, making her moan while her body came to life and demanded more. All they’d ever done was kiss. She wanted more. But she didn’t want him to see her body all covered with bruises. And she didn’t want him to make love to her for the first time while staring at the purple and black discoloration another man inflicted on her.

When he pulled back from the kiss, she was panting. Damn him. He knew he could soften her with his lips.

His hand came to the front of her towel, covering hers where she gripped it together. “Move your fingers, sweetheart. Enough hiding. I promise I’ll be able to handle this. What I don’t want is for you to hide from me until it fades.”

“It’s worse today than it was yesterday, Jake.”

“I know. I can take it. Don’t suffer alone. It’s not necessary.”

She drew in a deep breath and nodded, moving her hand out of his way.

He kissed her one more time and then rose up, straddling her waist, and pulled the towel away from her chest.

She didn’t have to look down to know what he was seeing. She watched his expression instead.

He