Page 40 of Isabelle & Jason
She faced him, searching his eyes. Then a smile broke across her face. “I’d love to go for a walk.”
At the sight of his smile, heat unfurled in her chest, spreading to parts of her body she had thought long dead. Jason got to hisfeet and held out his hand toward her. She didn’t hesitate before accepting.
The second their hands touched, her heart fluttered, then beat wildly as if the initial movement wasn’t nearly enough. There was something about Jason that put her soul at ease despite the way her heart reacted to him. He could make her forget. He was a life preserver in an ocean of turmoil.
Perhaps that was what she needed right now. Someone to make her believe life could go on after heartbreak. She dropped his hand and looked away, her nerves getting the better of her.
“You should get a blanket.” His soft, soothing voice was so close. It wrapped around her much like she wanted his arms to.
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” he said gruffly. “The sky is clear tonight. And I know a great place we can lie out and look at the stars.”
Her eyes cut to meet his. This guy, this handsome cowboy who could cook and make her laugh, also liked to stargaze. He was a literal jackpot. It made her wonder what was holding her back so much when she was around him.
Once she’d gathered the blanket, he slung it over his shoulder. They headed out farther into the yard, away from the lights and anyone who might interrupt them. Jason flung out the blanket, then gestured for her to get comfortable.
Isabelle settled onto her back, her hands resting on her stomach as she stared up at the glittering sky overhead. Jason took a spot right beside her. Their shoulders touched. Her body seemed to vibrate from his nearness, and it took all her energy to focus on the sky and the words he was saying.
Jason lifted a finger, his head tilting closer to hers. “See that? That’s the Big Dipper. We can see that one year-round in Colorado. There’s the handle and there’s the pot. But if you follow that line, you can find the North Star.”
Isabelle bit back a smile. She was familiar with that constellation, but she didn’t mind letting Jason try to impress her. It was sweet, really. She scooted so her head was closer to his. If she wasn’t careful, she could melt into him, into his low rumbling voice, into his warm, strong arms.
“And that right there? That’s Cassiopeia.” Jason rattled off the story related to the constellation—one she’d heard many times before—of a queen who angered Poseidon, and as punishment, she was put in the sky upside down. This story was common, too.
But then Jason actually surprised her.
“Then there’s that one.” Jason reached for Isabelle’s hand, curling her fingers around so she pointed at the sky. He drew a line down, then one across. “That constellation is Cygnus. There are a couple different stories about the swan.”
She twisted her head around, and their faces were a hair’s breadth apart. She searched his eyes for only a moment before she turned her attention back to the sky.
“One story is about Cygnus, who was a friend of Phaeton. And when Phaeton died, Cygnus was transformed into a swan by Zeus himself as a reward for his loyalty. Another tale is associated with the story of Orpheus, who was transformed into a swan as a constellation, but not many people believe that one. And one story is about Zeus.” Jason’s fingers had threaded through her own, and they remained clasped as he continued to speak. “He disguised himself as a swan to seduce Leda. She saved him from an eagle, and he convinced her to lay with him.” Jason released a chuckle that sounded more embarrassed than anything. “And yes, they had some kids.”
Isabelle turned her face toward him and their eyes met once more. “I’m impressed. You’re nothing like I thought you were.”
His crooked grin only added to the swarm of warm sensations within her. “Oh yeah? What did you expect?”
“Not… to feel… sosafe.” Inwardly, she grimaced. Maybe she shouldn’t have said that. What was he going to say? Would he push her away?
Jason’s expression shifted into something else, something more serious. He swallowed audibly, and for a second, she thought he might say something to shatter this nice moment. But then he simply nodded and adjusted his position.
With careful movements, he slipped his arm beneath her head and pulled her close. She had no other option but to rest her cheek against his chest. Her hand fell to his abdomen, and she exhaled a breath she’d been holding since she’d made her confession.
Fingers trailed up and down her arm, sending goosebumps skittering along her skin. Jason didn’t speak, and neither did she. For the first time in a long while, she thought she could close her eyes and not experience the nightmares that waited for her in the dark.
So that was what she did.
Isabelle took in a deep breath and closed her eyes.
“I’m glad you feel safe with me, Isabelle,” he said softly.
She hummed in agreement.
“Where else do you feel safe?” The words sounded like they came from far away. They were quiet and echoed in her mind.
She wasn’t even sure if she answered him, but she imagined she was floating and calm. It was like she was in a boat gliding down a calm river beneath a starlight sky. The soft sound of waves lapping against the side of the boat lulled her into sleep.
Safe.
