Authors: Cassandra Cole
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she looked up at him, “Then where were you these past four years? Where were you when he hit me?” She whispered.
Jason’s face grew sullen and he sighed, shaking his head.
“That was your decision, Katie. I couldn’t interfere with your life like that. You needed to make the decision to leave but when you did, I was right there,” He pointed out, reaching across the counter and taking her hand. “And now that you’re here, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
She wanted to believe it more than anything. She wanted to believe that this man would protect her from whatever threats she faced from now on. Katie wanted Jason to be the man, Michael never could.
Katie put her hand on her belly a moment and she looked up at Jason, “I don’t feel like I could accept all this...Unless...I told you that I was pregnant...I’m not going to be somewhere my baby isn’t wanted.”
Jason laughed and shook his head. “I already knew.” He said simply. “I can smell it.” He said, tapping his nose.
It was such a simple response, but it was a kind response and it was more than Katie would have expected from anyone. She’d grown so accustomed to being shot down and pushed to the ground that kindness was something she stopped expecting. Yet his smile and promise of safety gave her hope.
*****
Katie was waiting for the other shoe to drop. It always did. The life she was being offered was too good to be true and she learned a long time ago that if something seemed too good to be true, it probably was. She didn’t let her guard down for a long time even though she was given her own room and possessions. Jason was expecting something from her and she couldn’t figure out what it was.
Jason knew that Katie would eventually leave Michael and when she did, he wanted her to have everything she could ever want so he’d stocked up her room with things he figured women liked. The room she’d woken up in that first day became hers and the clothes that filled the closest fit her like a glove. Having a brand new wardrobe was something Katie never thought she’d have again. She’d always loved clothes and dressing up but accepted that she would probably die in the t-shirts and jeans that Michael occasionally bought home for her. Now she pranced around her room in sun-dresses that hugged her curves and made her feel beautiful again.
Katie could have anything she wanted. Jason told her that a million times. The money he made from his state parks turned out to be a small fortune, though that didn’t matter to her. What mattered to Katie was the fact that he treated her like a person. He allowed her to have her space and it was the best thing he could have done.
As the months passed Katie was becoming herself again. Jason offered to let her paint the room that would become the nursery and it healed her soul. Every stroke of her paint brush was like a bandaid over her heart. She painted a beautiful mural on the wall that reflected their surroundings. Huge pine trees reached for the ceiling and birds floated along with the clouds. She took inspiration from the large window that overlooked the beautiful forest she often found herself taking walks in with Jason.
Their relationship didn’t start out as romantic but was slowly turning into something far more than Katie ever expected. The weeks faded into months and she found that she was falling in love with the long haired man who’d saved her life countless times.
Katie was in the kitchen, cooking dinner for the two of them. She still wasn’t over the colorful vegetables that Jason kept in fresh supply. She wasn’t much of a cook but she was at least trying now. The crushing depression that debilitated her for so long was finally starting to fade away and she was finding herself again. She was rediscovering who she truly was.
She made a simple stir fry and when she leaned over to turn the stove off she felt a warm, firm chest pressed against her back. It made her heart flutter because she knew exactly who it was and turned to face Jason, a pleased smile playing on her lips.
It took a long time to trust him and the first time she saw him turned into a bear was more than a little terrifying. There were so many teeth and claws and the sound of bones cracking and shifting into place haunted her dreams for a long time, but now she trusted him completely. As far as she could see he didn’t intend to hurt her. He’d only offered comfort and safety for both her and the child growing inside of her.
“What can I do for you?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
He took the spoon out of her hand and nodded towards the large glass windows, pulling her close to him and leading her out to the concrete patio. Bright string lights illuminated the entire patio and paved the way to a small empty space that Jason cleared of any furniture. There was soft classical music playing and Jason was grinning, apparently pleased with himself.
“I want to dance with you.”
“Dance? I can’t dance.” She said, her cheeks going red as the man who was quickly becoming the love of her life pulled her towards the center of the concrete floor.
“Then let me teach you.” He hummed, putting his arms around her waist.
There was still quite a bit of room between them thanks to the baby bump but neither of them minded. The moon hung high in the sky and gave Katie’s pale skin and hair an ethereal glow. Her cheeks were still red and she was looking down at their feet as they moved together to the soft music.
Jason lifted her chin and smiled down at her, his golden eyes searching hers as he tried to find the words he wanted to say.
“I knew, the moment I laid eyes on you that you would be the one, Katie.”
“The one?”
“Yes. I was drawn to you for a reason and I was never quite sure what that reason was but when I saw you under the moon that night you ran from him...I knew you would be my mate. You were so strong and beautiful in that moment.” He whispered, kissing her temple.
Her eyes fluttered at the tender kiss and she leaned into his strong chest, fingers splayed against his warm skin. The glass beads in his hair clinked together and made the softest of noises. His hair brushed her cheek and she looked up at him with wide eyes.
“You’ve fixed me, Jason. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am that you saved me. You make me want to paint again and live my life. You make me want to live my life with you and raise this baby with you! I know it’s a lot to ask but I’ve been thinking of it for so long and this is the first time I’ve ever felt free and-”
Her babbling was cut off when he leaned over and pressed their lips together in a tender kiss that filled her with a swell of emotions that she knew was love. Jason pulled away and nuzzled her cheek so that he could whisper in her ear.
“Katie, I love you.”
*****
The words came out so pure and so simple that it was hard to believe the effect it had on her. She wanted to say the words back but just as she started to say them, he pressed his lips to hers again, pulling her soft body to his own. Katie threw her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she closed her eyes and moaned into the kiss.
His tall frame made it easy for him to lift her into his arms and carry her over to a large outdoor couch that they often sat in when it rained. The large canopy kept them dry and the thick layer of fur blankets kept them warm.
He placed her on the pile of furs and leaned down again to catch her lips in yet another kiss. He’d wanted to kiss her for so long, and now that he finally could he was going to take full advantage of it. Each kiss was electric and sent waves of arousal through Katie’s body. She wanted to be his in every sense of the word.
He put his hands on either side of her head as he crawled over her and leaned down to kiss her neck wetly, leaving trails of fire every time he offered a tender kiss to her exposed skin. Every kiss and every touch left her wanting more.
She could already feel the molten pleasure starting to bubble between her legs and she didn’t even hesitate to pull her dress up and allow him access to her delicate petals. Katie chewed her bottom lip and spread her legs, lifting one to wrap it around his slim hips. When her heel dug into him he let out a low, wanton moan followed by a possessive growl that sent shivers down Katie’s spine.
His strong hands gripped her dress and tore the thin cotton like it was a damn paper towel. Jason pushed it aside to reveal her supple breasts and pale stomach. He paused and rested his hand on the taut skin of her belly, running his fingers along the skin and leaning down to kiss it gently. He smiled and looked up at her before starting to slowly kiss down her belly to her thighs.
Warm fingers brushed the tender skin and urged her legs open as he dipped his fingers between her legs and felt the velvety warmth of her most intimate parts. He slid two fingers inside of her, turning his head and kissing the soft flesh of her inner thighs as his fingers worked to draw desperate moans from her.
Every move he made drove her wild. When two thick fingers slipped inside of her, she arched her back and moaned loudly, chewing on her lip and letting out breathy moans that turned to fog in the chilly air. Fall was just around the corner and the cool breeze painted her cheeks a delicate pink as the rest of her body flushed underneath his touch.
She tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him up, their lips crashing together in another desperate kiss. Jason managed to work his pants down far enough to slip his hard rod into her, grunting her name with the same desperation that she was moaning his.
The heat that was coiling in her belly was starting to overflow and spread to every inch of her body from her head to her toes. She whimpered and arched her back, crying out his name as he moved inside of her. Every single movement he made was meant for her. It was meant to fill her with pleasure and draw out even more of those delicious moans that were bringing him closer and closer to the edge.
He leaned over her, careful not to put pressure on her growing belly, and kissed her tenderly, their tongues meeting and dancing together. Each thrust and each gentle caress of his hand was bringing her closer to the delicious end she knew was in sight.
Stars exploded in her vision and she swore she saw universes being born. Jason cried out her name, howling it to the moon above as he pulled her to his chest, cradling her there. The warmth and strength of his arms helped her ride out her orgasm until the waves of pleasure finally stopped assaulting her body. Even after she came down from her high she still felt like she was floating.
Katie shivered underneath him as he rolled over to lay beside her, spent and panting. She was sure she was glowing from the pleasure and let out a little laugh, allowing it to float on the night breeze. She turned to look at him and cupped his cheek gently, offering a tired smile as she said the words she’d wanted to say all night.
“I love you, Jason.”
*****
That night was just the beginning of the happiest days of Katie’s life. She was finally growing into the strong, independent woman she was always meant to be. Jason was an attentive lover and father-to-be. He cared for the child Katie was carrying just as much as he cared for her and she honestly couldn’t ask for more.
Katie was in the nursery, putting the final touches on a painted butterfly that was soaring through a field of wildflowers. The detail in her mural was professional quality and Jason commented more than once that she ought to start selling her art work and she’d done just that. Two people commissioned work from her so far but she was keeping her business low-key until the baby was born. She wanted to be able to devote every waking moment to her child.
She dipped her brush in a glass of water and watched the paint ripple out to the edge of the glass, thinking of how her life seemed to work the same way. She started out scared and curled in on herself and with Jason’s help she’d blossomed into someone who exuded confidence and happiness.
Katie turned as Jason grunted, pulling a handmade crib to into the nursery. It was painted white with hand carved details that Jason and Katie decided on together. At the very top of the crib was a detailed engraving of tall pines and flowers. The mobile was stuffed bears and stars. Everything about it was perfect and when Katie laid eyes on it she fell in love.
“Oh my god! It turned out so good!” She gasped, walking over to it and running her long fingers along the delicately carved wood.
Her mind was already racing with ideas as to what she was going to do with it. The white wood was a blank canvas and she knew she could turn it into something magical with a flick of her wrist. Jason smiled and lifted it off the furniture cart once it was positioned by the window. The sun filtered in and danced across the pale yellow bedding they’d picked out.
Katie didn’t want to know the gender of the baby ahead of time. She liked surprises these days since she didn’t feel the need to try and control everything around her. Jason gave her plenty of control and never doubted her abilities. Katie was allowed to be her own person and make her own decisions now and she was almost surprised at how quickly decision making came back to her.
Jason put his hands on his hips and nodded his head, glancing over at her and putting a strong arm around her. She melted into his side like she always did and offered him an adoring smile.
“Are you going to paint it?” Jason asked, tilting his head to the side as if trying to look at it in a different way.