Chapter 251
Jaselyn's POV
I agreed to see Nae, but only because I needed to know if she could give me any information about where Isla might have taken Celio. It was my only lead, and I wasn’t about to let it slip through my fingers, no matter how much I despised Nae.
Before heading to see her, I turned to Rion. His clothes were torn and stained with dirt and blood from the battle. He looked tired, and I could see the weariness in his eyes despite his usual confident stance. He needed rest, and he needed to be taken care of. After everything he had done for me, it was the least I could do for him.
“Come with me,” I said softly, taking his hand. I led him back to our bedroom, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination. “Rion, I want our lives to go back to normal,” I began, my voice wavering slightly. “I want to feel close to you again.”
He looked at me with a mix of surprise and concern. “Jas, you don’t have to force yourself to do anything you’re not ready for,” he said gently, squeezing my hand. “I just want you to feel safe and loved.”
“I know,” I replied, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “But I love you so much, Rion, and staying away from you like this…it hurts. I miss the way we used to be. I want to try, at least, to get back to that.”
He gazed at me with such tenderness, his eyes filled with understanding. “Jas, our level of physical intimacy doesn’t matter as much as you think. Yes, I miss touching you and being close to you in that way, but all I truly care about is that you feel loved, safe, cared for, and comfortable. That’s what’s most important to me.”
His words almost brought tears to my eyes, but I held them back, not wanting to break down again. He always knew the right thing to say, always made me feel like I was enough, no matter what. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
“We can take this at your pace,” Rion continued, his tone soft and reassuring. “We can test the level of intimacy you’re comfortable with for now if that’s what you want.”
I nodded, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement. “Yes, I’d like that,” I said, my voice a little steadier.
With a small, encouraging smile, Rion let me help him undress. I carefully unbuttoned his shirt, sliding it off his shoulders and letting it drop to the floor. His pants followed, and soon he stood before me in just his underwear. I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my body against his.
The warmth of his skin was comforting, and I felt my anxiety start to ease as he held me gently, his arms encircling me with a sense of safety and love. I could feel his steady heartbeat against my chest, grounding me in the moment, reminding me of the bond we shared. I tilted my head up, searching his eyes for reassurance, and found nothing but unwavering love and understanding. With a deep breath, I leaned in and initiated a kiss, our lips meeting softly at first, a tentative touch as if testing the waters.
The softness of his lips against mine sent a shiver down my spine, a gentle reminder of the intimacy we once shared so freely. I pressed closer, deepening the kiss, feeling a spark of something familiar ignite in my chest. As if sensing my desire to take this further, Rion responded with a quiet intensity, his lips moving against mine with more urgency. His hands moved to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing softly against my cheeks, grounding me in the moment.
I let out a small sigh against his mouth, my hands moving up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss grew more passionate, the heat between us building as if we were rediscovering each other all over again. His lips moved with mine in perfect harmony, a dance of passion and yearning, each kiss deeper and more fervent than the last.
Rion’s hands traveled down my back to my waist, pulling me even closer to him. I could feel the strength of his body against mine, the warmth of his skin pressing into me, and it sent a thrill through my veins. He guided me back onto the bed, his movements gentle yet filled with intent. As he laid me down, he hovered over me, his lips never leaving mine, his hands caressing my sides, exploring my body with a careful touch that spoke of both desire and restraint.
He pulled back for a moment, his eyes searching mine, checking to make sure I was still okay. I nodded, giving him a small, encouraging smile, and he leaned back down to capture my lips once more. The kiss was deeper this time, more intense, as if all the love and longing we had felt for each other over the past few weeks were being poured into this one moment.
I could feel the heat radiating between us, the way his hands moved to cup my face, his fingers threading through my hair. It was as if time had stopped, and all that existed was the two of us, lost in the taste and feel of each other. His tongue brushed against my bottom lip, seeking entrance, and I parted my lips, welcoming him in. Our tongues danced together in a slow, sensual rhythm, each stroke sending a wave of heat through my body, awakening a desire I hadn’t felt in so long.
As his kisses trailed down to my neck, I let out a soft moan, my body arching up to meet his. He nipped at the sensitive skin there, his teeth grazing against my pulse point, sending shivers down my spine. His hands moved to the hem of my shirt, fingers brushing against the skin of my stomach, causing me to gasp. It felt so good to be touched by him again, to feel his love in every caress.
But as his hands moved higher, under my shirt, the sensation of his fingers against my bare skin suddenly sent a jolt of panic through me. Memories of Zane’s rough, cruel touch flashed in my mind, and my body tensed, fear seizing my heart.
“No, no, no,” I whispered, pushing him away, my breath coming in short gasps. “Stop! Please stop!”
Rion immediately pulled back, his expression filled with concern. “It’s okay, Jas. I’m here. I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart, but the panic wouldn't subside, and I hated it. Hated that my body couldn’t distinguish between the man I loved and the monster who had hurt me.
My heart was racing, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Tears streamed down my face as I realized how I had reacted.
“I’m sorry, Rion,” I sobbed, hating myself for not being able to be the mate he deserved. “I’m sorry, I just…I can’t do this. I want to, but I can’t.”
He reached out, gently wiping my tears away with his thumb. “Jas, you don’t have to apologize. This isn’t your fault. You’ve been through so much, and it’s going to take time. I’m here with you, no matter what.”
I nodded, trying to believe his words, but the guilt and frustration still gnawed at me.