Calculated Risk (Triumph Over Adversity #1) - Lynn Shannon Page 0,31

fine.” Jason beelined for the stove and his mouth dropped open. “Aw, man, are these meatballs? Hurry, give me a plate before Nathan and Kyle get here.”

She swatted at him playfully. “No way. You have to wait for everyone else.”

Jason groaned, and they both laughed.

Addison opened a glass jar on the counter and removed a dog treat. She tossed it to Connor. He ate it in one bite and then settled on the carpet in front of the sink. Shelby drifted over to the dog and climbed on top of him, kneading his back. Connor sighed.

Addison raised a brow. “I can’t tell if he likes Shelby or merely tolerates her.”

“He likes her. Kyle’s cat, Ms. Whiskers, approaches Connor and he dodges her. I’ve never seen them cuddle once.” Jason leaned against the counter, making the sweater pull across his broad chest. “The guys will be here in about twenty minutes. What did you want to talk to me about?”

Nerves jangled in Addison’s stomach, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. “Jason, I haven’t been fair to you. You could’ve been killed today. Whoever this guy is, he’s going to keep trying. I don’t expect you to risk your life for me, and I should’ve said so after the bombing. If you want to walk away, I understand—”

“No.” The word came out fast and harsh. Jason inhaled and then let it out slowly. “I want to see this through. Although it might be better to have Nathan or Kyle act as your bodyguard. I intended to speak to you about it tonight.”

Addison swallowed down the rush of panic threatening to swell. Nathan and Kyle were good men, no doubt, but she trusted Jason implicitly. “I would prefer you.”

“There are things you don’t know about me, Addy.” He tapped the left side of his head. “The hearing in this ear isn’t perfect. The only reason I knew the truck was gunning for you was because I saw it. But I should’ve heard the engine before that. I didn’t.”

She hadn’t known about his hearing loss, but it didn’t change the way she felt. No one would protect her the way he had. “You saved my life, Jason, while risking your own. I couldn’t ask for more.”

He pushed away from the counter and took several steps across the kitchen. His back was rigid. “I have post traumatic stress disorder. Nightmares, the occasional flashback. Therapy has helped and I’m functional, but…” He turned to face her. “I’ve failed before. My fellow Marines died as a result. And that was when I was healthy and whole, not like I am now. You deserve the best, Addison.”

The agony in his expression made Addison’s heart weep. “You are the best.”

He shook his head. “Please…don’t give me platitudes.”

“I’m not.” Addison stepped forward until she was standing in front of him. “In the gym today, Lisa and I had a conversation, and she reminded me about something. God has a plan for me. I don’t know why I’m being targeted or what will happen next, but I know one thing: I trust you, Jason. That’s a huge thing for me. I’ve had a hard time trusting anyone—especially a man—since my divorce.”

She gently reached up and touched his face, her finger trailing over the scar crisscrossing his cheek. “Being with you feels safe. There’s no one else I want protecting me.”

“Addy…”

Jason’s hand came up to cup hers. The touch sent a wave of desire coursing through her. She was tired of fighting it. Tired of being afraid. For years, she’d avoided romance. But God had placed Jason in her path. Was it just to save her life? Or were these growing feelings for him a part of God’s plan?

Addison stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against Jason’s. The kiss was tender. Sweet. She pulled back, uncertainty sinking in as the repercussions of her bold move caught up to her.

Jason’s hand tightened on hers. A subtle and yet powerful signal that she shouldn’t pull away. Addison froze.

His gaze met hers. The passion buried in his stare stalled her breath. Jason tipped his head forward, capturing her mouth with his. Heat rocketed through her. She threaded her arms around his neck, dipping her hand into his thick hair. Addison couldn’t get close enough to him. A whirlwind of emotion left no room for logic. She was lost, in a way she’d never experienced before. It should’ve terrified her, but it didn’t. Jason would never hurt her.

The doorbell rang, barely registering