Chapter 824 - A perfect fit (2) (1/2)

Dinner was delicious, and so was the red wine that followed.

They are sitting on a sofa, and the more Ellie looks at Jasper, the more enchanted she is. Besides being outrageously handsome with soul-piercing icy-blue eyes, full lips, and attention grabbing dimple on his chin… he is charming, and funny, and smart. Very smart. Ellie enjoys talking to him. He can keep her on her toes, but at the same time does not cross the line to make her uncomfortable in any way. Oh, and he smells nice… and the thought of his kiss makes her heart skip a beat… and when their lips connect, everything fades away, including her reasoning capabilities… a deadly combination.

”I should go…”, Ellie abruptly stood up after placing her almost finished wine glass on the table.

”Ellie…”, he held her hand. ”Did I say or do something wrong?”

Ellie looked at his obviously troubled expression and could not make herself lie.

”No. Everything you did and said was perfect. This whole afternoon and evening was… perfect.”

”Then… why are you running away?”

Ellie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ”Because you can hurt me.”

”What if I don't have an intention to hurt you?”

His voice came from right in front of her and she opened her eyes. Jasper got up from the sofa and was standing close, too close… and it made her heart race. Ellie didn't dare look at him because she fears that if she looks into his icy-blue eyes she will not be able to resist. The temptation of being with him is too much, but at the same time fear of being hurt is ripping her into two.

So what if he has no intention to hurt her? How long can he keep his attention on her? She already heard: he is a player… and she knows that it is not just a rumor. The first night they met he was shamelessly toying with her, teasing her endlessly. And she saw him flirting with those girls over and over again. He said he will not do it, and he seemed sincere, but can he really change for her? She does not see herself as someone so special to make him change his ways.

”That does not mean that you will not hurt me.”

Jasper touched her chin to make her face his way. ”You will never find out if you run away.”

”I…” She paused when their eyes locked on each other. ”I don't know if I can take that risk.”

Jasper can see that she is putting up that shield against him again, and he felt the desperation wash over him. Why is it so difficult for her to trust him? What exactly did she go through to have such a fear from getting hurt that she is resisting to even start a relationship?

He can see that she likes him. And he knows that she is not interested in short term flings like a one night stand, but he told her the truth, that he sees her differently. Why can't she believe him?

The only thing he can do is to be honest with a hope that it will reach her.

”Ellie… I can't promise you forever because I don't know what tomorrow brings. But I can tell you that I like you. Right now, I like you. And I have no intention of hurting you. I want to cherish you, because I think that you are special. No, wait, I don't think… I KNOW that you are special. I will wait for you to be ready for the next step, whatever that next step might be. But I need you to stop running away. I know that you don't know me, and I don't know you well either… But I want to discover you because everything I found out about you so far, fascinates me.”

”I don't know if I can do that.”

He cupped her cheeks in his palms. ”You said that trust needs to be earned. And I want to ask you: Ellie, please, give me a chance to earn your trust.”

Ellie sighed. Why is he making all this more difficult than it already is?

”Why are you doing this?”

”Doing what?” Jasper didn't understand her question.