Less than Perfect

22. PitterPat {part one}

Sighing, she pushed herself onto her elbows, ignoring any small pains it inflicted, and shook her head slowly. "Jules," she began, looking into his eyes with pleading ones, "please don't apologize, okay? I'm doing just fine. It may take me awhile to get used to certain things again—but what you just did, I didn't mind that. Please don't worry about me so much. I'll let you know if I can't handle something."

He looked away a moment before returning her gaze. Lips squirming around a frown, he sighed. "Are you sure, Trouble?" He hesitated. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or afraid in any way. I want to make sure you feel safe, and happy."

A smile curled up her lips. "Positive." She giggled a little, relieved that he understood her feelings, or at least was trying to. Warmth flooded her body in an uncontrollable wave of security and strength as she looked at his tan, perfect face and wished he'd fill the void of space between them. "You make me happy, Jules, and safe. Don't you forget that, ever."

He ran a hand through locks of his tousled hair awkwardly and chuckled. "I guess I'll try my best not to," he said huskily, leaning closer to her.

She bit her lips to prevent herself from erupting in a chain of squeals and giggles, and tried to calm the beat of her anxious heart. She could feel his breath on her face already, the scent of mint and vanilla causing a new sensation to electrify her body, washing away any insecurities or fears she'd once had.

He leaned closer so that he was right above her, pressing his palms against the bedding beside the sides of her face. "Now," he breathed against her lips. "Where were we?"

She shivered again, adding a smile so that Jules could tell it was a good thing, and closed her eyes in anticipation. "Right about here." Fingering his shirt, she pulled him down, his lips meeting hers in a collision of eager kisses.

She could feel him chuckling, his body shaking a little. It charged an electric surge of energy throughout her entire body, warming her from the insides out as their lips parted and met, again and again. Pangs of butterflies fluttered up and down her stomach, springing a sensation so new yet so natural, she couldn't imagine why it had taken her so long to find. With Bryan, even from the beginning, there had never been quite a spark or energy. There had been butterflies and moments of pure glee, but nothing else. It was then, in that moment spent mingling with Jules, that Skye realized just how wrong she'd been about her feelings for Bryan. She'd never loved him like that—and certainly, she had not felt the same way about him that she now felt about Jules.

"Jules," she murmured, parting from their kiss and dropping her head against the mattress as she tangled her fingers through his hair and kept his face mere inches from hers. She had no idea why she'd said his name, it only slipped out, but once she looked him in the eyes she couldn't help but smile and catch her breath quickly before pulling his lips back against hers.

He laughed around her lips, holding her face gently by the side. His hand knotted into the bedding as he broke away from the kiss and traveled down her neck, careful not to push Skye too far. She could feel how much he was trying not to hurt her and she couldn't help but sigh in appreciation. Where had Jules been all those times when she needed someone as protective and gentle as he? She certainly would have been happy with his entry in her life long ago. But she also thought that if he'd come any earlier she would have missed him, missed something special. And they would've never fallen as deeply in love as they had.

And that thought scared her.

She made a small sound as his lips stopped in the crook of her neck, gently nibbling on the skin. She bit her lip and pushed away any troubling memories that started to well up in her mind, reminding herself that it was Jules—he wouldn't hurt her. But the truth became too oppressive; the pain from when Johnny had taken a hold of her neck and just about cut her life short eclipsed her nearly healed skin, granting a small whimper from her lips.