Learning To Trust Again

Dinner was a comfortable meal. Sometimes they talked and sometimes they were silent. As they left the restaurant neither of them had spoken for a while. For Rebecca it was her nerves keeping her silent. They were beginning to get the better of her. After that kiss they’d shared before they left for dinner, she knew if he kissed her like that again, she might just get carried away. If they shared another moment like that she wasn’t sure she would be able to stop. But she also wasn’t sure she was ready for that. Like she sensed was weighing him down, she was carrying her own share of baggage. She hadn’t been with anyone since Mark, she hadn’t even been interested.

But with Jake it felt different, there was a definite attraction there, which may have started with the fact that he had saved her but certainly wasn’t diminished any by the fact that he was gorgeous. There was more to it than that too. He made her feel safe, in a way she’d never known before. She felt like she could depend on him and given her history that was a sensation that was almost irresistible to her.

However getting close to him meant making herself vulnerable again and putting her trust in him and that was something she vowed not to do again, unless she was sure the person deserved it. It hurt too much the last time when it proved her trust was badly misplaced. Did she know Jake well enough to be able to judge? She just didn’t know.

As they strolled along, making their way to the river, where Jake had suggested they go for a walk, Rebecca was grateful for the warm touch of his hand around hers. The simple contact was comforting and helped to calm her nerves a little.

For Rebecca there was a magical feeling to the night. As they walked along its bank, the river, bathed in the pale moonlight, pulled them along to follow its dreamy wanderings. The mild night air had a soft, velvet like quality, wrapping around them making it feel like they were occupying a very intimate space even though they were out in the open. Pausing at a bend where they had a clear view down the river, Jake looked down at her. Lifting his free hand, the one he had injured, he laid it on her jaw and gently rubbed his thumb across her cheek. Lowering his head, he met her mouth in a sweet kiss that was hot at the same time and as he eased back, it left her wanting more. Without a word, as if by unspoken agreement, they both started moving again. Rebecca’s heart was beating double time and sure that he must be able to feel it she cursed herself for being unable to control her response. Focusing, she tried to calm herself down.