Chapter 125: Healing together

(Dean)

I watch tears slip down the side of her face and now I feel like the biggest asshole in existence for making her cry.

I see the doubt in her eyes and it fucking kills me, I know it's going to take a while before she'll fully trust me again.

I'm willing to do anything, anything at all to get her to trust me again.

But then, she pulls her hands free from mine and looks at me, her eyes a teary mess. "You don't get it, Dean. Ashley is crazy, she's dangerous, she'll try to hurt me, her threats were real, and your mother? She's unhinged. I" she pointed out and pause, as if remembering something.

And then she looks at me. "Judy knew I had your kids long before you figured it out, she wanted to pay me out, to leave my kids to you and Ashley, she thinks the worst of me," her voice cracks, barely above a whisper and then she lowers her head.

My eyes widens as I try to take in what I've just heard.

My fist clench and unclench at my side.

Ashley threatened her?

And mother knew the kids were mine, yet that didn't make her stop?

Offering Bella money to give up her kids, our kids?

That's ridiculous! These people are unbelievable. God, to think I once shared my space with a woman as evil as Ashley.

I could feel anger surge through every pore in my body.

How can a woman be so insensitive, so vile?

I dragged in a shallow breath, trying to block out some of my fury.

And then I exhaled and my gaze softens. "I didn't know that. I'm sorry my mother said that to you," I let out but she still doesn't meet my gaze.

I inch closer.

"Bella look at me," I urge her, my tone gentle and pleading.

My words worked like a spell and she draws her gaze back to me.

I cupped her face gently and look straight into her eyes. "My mother and Ashley might've manipulated me in the past but they'll never be able to, again. I'll keep them both away from you and our kids," I say confidently, my eyes boring into hers, hoping to get through to her.

I see her eyes soften but all she did was stare at me.

She might not believe or trust my words yet but it's my duty to show her. And I'll go to any length to do that.

My hand lingers on her face, wiping off the remnants of her tears and then I reach out and gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll never let mother or Ashley hurt you again, never." I reassured her. I don't take my eyes off her. "Give us a chance, Bella and I promise never to hurt you again,"

She sniffle back her tears, but doesn't say anything and I could tell she's overwhelmed, and probably needs time to process everything I've told her.

I understand, so I don't press her for an answer.

But then instinctively she bites her lips, unaware of the effect it has on me.

God.

She has no idea what she does to me, whenever she bites her lips, no idea how looking at her, being this close, drives me into a lust filled state of furore.

I've not been able to get over our last kiss, it's still heavily imprinted in my head.

She looks up at me, her deep, smouldering, sexy eyes. I glance quickly at her mouth, full lips, parted, inviting.

I fought to hold back but then I failed woefully, slowly I lean in, my eyes searching hers for permission.

She doesn't draw back and I take that as my cue to go ahead.

Then my lips are on hers, my tongue entering fiercely as if I was starving and only this kiss could satiate me.

Fuck, I love kissing her, I love her taste and the little sound she makes as I entered her, exploring every inch with delight.

Bella melted into the kiss and moans against my mouth and that serves to spur me on even more.

Her hands moved up to my neck, her tongue moves more daringly, her fingers sliding between the strands of my thick hair, my arms tightens around her like I was afraid she'd slip out of my embrace.

I deepened the kiss, her soft body against mine as we're both lost in the moment. I'm not sure how long we kissed for but when I let go of her, we were both out of breath.

And even more, I was hard, there's a slight visible bulge in my pants, which makes me feel like an absolute creep.

Bella's eyes strayed to my crotch, instantly noticing the swell filling my black slacks, she quickly snaps her eyes back to my face.

Smooth move, Dean. Now she probably thinks you're a creep.

But then she smiles and it's like the first ray of sunshine breaking through a storm.

Ugh.

That smile, the one I've been yearning to see.

She pulls her gaze away and combs her hair with her fingers but not before I see her smile blend into a faint smirk and then she croaked out. "It's late, you should head back now," she says calmly, stepping away from me.

My lips curved into a nervous grimace and then I awkwardly run a hand through my hair, taking a quick glance at my wrist watch. "Ye— yeah, I should," I blurted out and catch her struggling to hide her smile.

Was I moving funny?

Yes, I definitely am.

I turn to leave but then I pause, turning to face her once more, I furrow my eyebrows at her and say. "Do not think of pushing me away after now." I wink but I have a grin when I say this, blending into being myself around her so well.

She giggles slightly and then those eyes peered into mine. "I'll try not to,"

God, I want this all the time, her soft giggles, her smiles, the way her eyes crinkle to tease or argue with me.

I want all of her, I want it forever.