Sally walked through the rows of bouquet flowers, barely registering their bright colors. It had been two weeks into wedding planning and she still couldn’t believe that she had said yes. This whole wedding business seemed so out of her character that she felt so lost when she tried to think about what color tapestries she wanted for the pews. Jack had made it perfectly clear that he would give her anything and everything she wanted for their wedding, no limitations and that only made her panic more. What would she do if it turned into a huge fiasco on her apart and she ruined the most important day in their relationship?> reaching over she touched a calla Lilly, running her fingers over its velvety bell. Did this reflect poorly on her feelings for jack, all these doubts and fears she was having now? She thought back to the night when Jack had saved her from Jonah and her heart tightened. What would people think if they had heard that she had been in an abusive relationship prior to Jack? They’d probably think her the black sheep and cast her down further down than they had already…..
“Sally!”
Like a dream she saw him walking towards her through the rows of flowers; more elegant and handsome than the colors around him. She couldn’t breath as he stood before her and, bending down, kissed her lightly.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,’’ he said, grabbing her hand and pulling softly. “Come and be with me.’’
Sally let him pull her along, feeling so much happier to have him there with her. Glancing to her side she stopped dead.
Her hand yanked out of his as her heart stopped cold and she felt her stomach drop. Jonah stood just a few feet away watching them from a shop window; his eyes holding that same look of malice and brutal intentions. Blinking she saw that she was only staring at a mannequin
“Sally?’’ she shook her head, tearing her eyes away and looking up at him.
“I just….I thought I saw…” She blinked back tears as she tried to stop shaking.
“Hey its ok.’’ he said, his arms wrapping around her. “He’s not here.’’
Stupidity and embarrassment flooded her body as she waved his arms away. Of course he wasn’t here.
“So lunch?” she said, smiling up at him. She saw he didn’t believe her and frowned. “Jack please-”
“Sally if you’re still having fears then we need to talk about this.”
She turned away from him but he grabbed her, pulling her close to himself. The smell of cologne, the familiar smell of him, flooded her senses. He smelled of heat, cologne, and musk all at once….
“Remember what I said?” he asked. “I promised I’d always protect you- but how can I protect you if I have no idea what I’m protecting you from?”
Sally pulled away and looked up at him
What would she do if he ever left her?
“I’m just worried that maybe he’s still out there, waiting for me.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “Nothings going to hurt you. Ever.”
And Sally wished that she could take his words and fully invest in them.
They went to a small diner and Jack told her everything he thought she didn’t know. How he wanted to help numerous people and maybe one day open his own business (something he said with a laugh) But one thing he had always wanted was someone he could hold and who would hold him just as tightly. Sally’s heart melted at this last dream.
This man doesn’t mean what he says, sally. Get away from him he’ll only hurt you more than Jonah ever had..
They walked to the park, stopping under a shadowed area and he pulled her to him again, placing his lips on hers. She relaxed, letting him take lead.
Jack felt her arms wrap around his chest and for some reason he felt a foreboding in his heart.
Somehow he knew that she’d be wary to be married; that some part of her was still on guard for when she thought he’d turn on her and take advantage of her….Just like Jonah had.
And he wished, more than anything, that he could change that. He’d sell his soul if it were an option. He just wanted her happy.
He pulled away from her, noses still touching, and grabbed her hands, pressing them to his heart.
“Do you feel how it beats for you?” Jack whispered. He felt her breath against his lips and longed to partake in another kiss.
Sally closed her eyes, his heart drumming underneath her fingers, and nodded. He tipped her head back and gazed into her eyes. Her breath drained as she looked him in the eyes, knowing that he was actually looking back at her, that he was registering her every thought.
Oh, how she loved those eyes.
Reaching up, she touched his face, a breath of amazement escaping her lips. Something like adrenaline rushed through her veins and she felt like she had just finished running a great mile. She had never felt this strongly for anyone before this…..need for him was so powerful, so coursing through her veins like air-no, something better than air
This was real love
“Sally?”
“You’re so amazing.’’ she whispered, fingers tracing his lips and the smile that was forming on them. “How did I ever get you?’’
Jack smiled so softly that Sally felt her heart grow lighter.
“I ask myself that same question.’’
She laughed, wrapping her arms around his chest and burying her face in his embrace.
Surely this happiness couldn’t last forever…..not forever. It was too good to be true and she felt that it was just water through her fingertips. That his love was just a sea of water that was sweeping her along.
And she would go with that current as long as she could.
Sally ran down a hallway, Jonah screaming behind her, grabbing at her. The walls of the hallway were crumbling; plaster and rubble falling all around her. She saw a door up ahead but it shrank when she got closer. She wanted so badly to get away from his screams and the screams that echoed from the walls. Her foot caught on a board on the floor and she fell hard onto her shoulder. The screams and darkness echoing deafeningly in her ears as her fears engulfed her. But as it did, there was a blinding light and she found herself laying in jacks arms in a lush garden. He tipped her head back, his soft lips pressing to hers-
Sally awoke suddenly, eyes squinting against the light from the windows. She lay in Jacks arms, face planted lightly in the crease of his neck. The feeling of fear slowly ebbed from her as she snuggled up against him, feeling his arms wrap tighter around her in his sleep. Sounds of birds and the smell of sunlight wafted all around the room and Sally closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his steady breathing.
“Morning.’’ he murmured into her hair, shifting so that he held her closer. She smiled as she placed her leg around his waist, enjoying the way his hand automatically slid up it, stopping just below her hind. She felt his other hand cup the back of her head and felt his lips press against her neck.
Jack breathed in the scent of her; flowers, peppermint and a scent of warmth. He toyed with the strap on her nightgown, pulling it out and down and up again. He could stay there with her forever; basking in the light she gave off.
“I got my dress yesterday.” She said quietly, her warm hands resting against his shoulder blades, tracing small circles.
“Can I see it?” he said, his tongue playing with her earlobe.
She tried to turn from him but his arms wrapped tighter. “No, I-You can’t-Stop-” she dissolved into quiet giggles as his hands scurried up her stomach. She caught his hands and they lay there staring at each other, the attraction sparked as he bent his head and kissed her, catching her upper lip in his teeth softly and letting it go, going back as his hands pulled at her nightgown.
He loved these mornings; the mornings where they awoke to instant passion, that flame that burned whenever he saw her.
Rolling her underneath himself, he kissed the front of her neck, whispering his love in between kisses
The splitting scream of the phone cut through the heat and Jack kept on, ignoring it, his hands curving into her upper thighs.
“Jack-” She placed a hand on his head to still him as she twisted to answer the phone. “Hello? Yes. Yes-no, he’s- ok-”
She held out the phone to him, a flustered look on her face. He took the phone, frowning, ready to chew the person out for being rude.
“Hello? Wait-Yes, but-Yes, that was her and no its not that. Fine. No, you will not. Yes, that is suggested. Thank you.’’
Jack hung up the phone and sighed. Looking up at her he shrugged. “That, my love, was my mother. And…She’s coming apparently right now.”
_
Nothing happened in this chapter, but next chapter will be much better I promise.
