Page 36 of Desert Wind

“Then you had a good life?” he asked.

“I did. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t filled with debutante balls or glamorous shopping. But I never went without a meal. I was never hit. I always had a roof over my head. I was luckier than many children.”

“This is reason four hundred and twenty-three of why I love you, Jenna. You always see the good in others. You see the good in the world.”

“Don’t you?” she asked with a sad expression.

“No. No, I don’t because I’ve seen much more of the world than you have. I’ve seen war, I’ve seen hatred, I’ve seen violence.” Nash regretted it the moment the word slipped from his lips.

“I’ve seen violence,” she whispered.

“Oh, Jenna. I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I know,” she nodded with a pained smile. “I know you didn’t. But if that hadn’t happened to me, I would have never seen violence. If I had never seen violence, I wouldn’t be able to know what true happiness and goodness look like. I don’t wish it on anyone, but I’m glad it happened.”

“Jenna.”

“Not all of it,” she said quickly. “Obviously, not all of it. But I understand better now. Thanks to you, thanks to everyone here, I know what goodness, kindness, love, and compassion look like. I can filter my memories and emotions accordingly.”

Nash kissed her temple and held her tighter. The sun was setting over the bayou, and in spite of the zappers hanging from their porch, the mosquitoes were out in force tonight and ready to carry them away.

“Should we go inside?” she asked quietly.

“If you like,” he nodded.

“Nash. I meant, should you and I go inside for the night? Together.” Nash swallowed and nodded at her. Following her inside, he silently prayed that he wouldn’t do or say anything stupid.

“I’m nervous,” he blurted out. She smiled at him.

“Me too. I’ve heard from my very reliable sources that turning down the lights or just using candlelight can help. You won’t feel so exposed, or I should say I won’t.”

“Whatever you want, Jenna, is what we’ll do.”

Walking around the small space, she lit each candle that was available and turned off the electric lights. The room looked magical, and she had to agree with her sources. It made her feel better.

“What now?” he asked with a smile. Jenna laughed, shaking her head.

“I don’t know. My sources didn’t go much further than this. I guess we could just hold one another. In bed?”

“I think that sounds perfect,” he smiled.

Holding one another in bed turned into talking for hours on end about ridiculous subjects. What’s better, lemon cake or coconut cake? Could Batman defeat Superman? What about Iron Man and Superman? Fish or chicken?

On and on, endless bantering and laughter until she rolled to her side, facing him, and let her hands wander beneath his shirt. The rippled muscles of his abdomen and soft tufts of hair at the center of his chest made her blush.

Nash didn’t move, afraid that he’d send her running.

“Love me,” she whispered.

“I already love you, Jenna. Nothing will ever change that.”

“Show me.”

Controlling his desires was the most difficult thing Nash had ever done. After carefully removing their clothing,he explained everything that he was doing to Jenna’s body, ensuring that she didn’t panic or become afraid.

He grimaced at the scars on her body, but in fairness, she did the same with the scars on his body. Jenna might have only experienced violent sex, but her instinctual ability to know what to do and how to touch a man impressed Nash.

When the knock on her front door came, Nash thought it was the middle of the night. He looked at her sleeping face and gently rolled from the bed, slipping on his jeans.

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