Page 45 of Wrecked
I charge across like a wild beast, and in an instant, I'm shoving one of the guys to the ground. “What the fuck did you do to her?”
“We didn't do anything,” the one I didn't shove splutters, holding his hands up in surrender. “Just saw her like this and came to see if she was alright.”
I get up in his face, noticing his pupils are blown wide while I grip his shirt. He's high. “If you did something to–”
“Wedidn't,” the other guy cuts in, groaning and getting to his feet. “For fuck's sake. Just chill.”
With heavy breaths, I release him and turn my attention back to Jasmine, walking over to her and calling over my shoulder, “Just get out of here.”
Thankfully, they leave without a hassle, nothing but helping her matters at this moment.
Once I'm in front of her, I crouch down in an attempt to see her face. Her dark hair isn't pulled back tonight, so it's falling in waves, creating a curtain around her. “Jaz?” I push some of the soft strands out of the way and over her shoulder. “What's going on? Talk to me.”
Being closer to her now, I notice how her body is trembling, and her chest is heaving up and down in quick erratic breaths like she's struggling for air. It's freaking me the fuck out. I grip her face, trying to force her to look at me. “Jaz. What the fuck is going on?”
There's a type of fear clouding her eyes, probably matching my own, when she finally turns her glassy orbs on me. “Panic.”
The word comes out sounding more like a wheezy whisper. Panic? What does that mean? Is she panicking? Do I need to panic? 'Cause I'm fucking close to it already.
Then it hits me. Panic attack. Shit. Okay.
I don't know what the fuck to do, but I feel like I need to dosomething. Releasing her face and standing up straighter, I let my eyes roam over her bowed form while my hand taps rapidly on my thigh. I recall seeing someone having a panic attack or something like it in a movie once. If I can remember what the hell they did for it, then I guess it's worth a shot. It's better than nothing.
Moving to her back, I wrap my arms around her from behind, pressing my hands to her chest and pulling her up so that her back is to my front.
“It's okay. I've got you,” I tell her quietly, moving my lips by her ear. “Try to copy my breathing, okay?” I know my heart is pounding fast and out of control in my chest, but I force my breaths to calm down, making my chest move in and out at a slow and steady rhythm. “Do you feel that? In . . . and out.” I take deep breaths and exhale as I say it. “In . . . and out,” I continue on, trying to guide her breathing, trying to keep her calm, or comforted, or something. “I'm here . . . I've got you, Jaz.”
At one point, I realize how tight my hold on her has become, so I force myself to loosen my grip, moving one hand to her stomach and splaying the other one above her heart while her body trembles. Is this even right? I can't be sure, but it feels like what I'm doing is starting to work, so I keep it up, speaking quietly into her ear while holding her smaller body to mine.
“Focus on me, Jaz. Only on me,” I murmur, still speaking directly into her ear. “Can you hear me?” I shift my hands a little, moving them back and forth on her skin before taking another deep breath. “Can you feel me?” I swear I feel her head nod just the slightest bit, but she's still not calmed down, so I continue on. “Deep breaths. You're okay.”
Her body heaves against my hold, struggling for air. I'm not sure how this happened, but I can't help but feel like it's my fault for bringing her here. It was a selfish move on my part. I've told her we're not going to happen. I'm so far beneath her that I'm lucky to barely touch the soles of her feet, but hell, I wanted her distracted with thoughts of me and coming here tonight while she was eating with another man. I wanted more time with her, just to be surrounded by her light. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“I've got you,” I repeat.
After several minutes, I realize that Jasmine's body is no longer shaking and tense against me, but rather it's feeling limper. She's still breathing heavily, but it's a steady rhythm now, like she's gaining control.Thank goodness.
“That's it, you're doing great,” I whisper. I hold her like that for a few more lengthy minutes, only turning her when I feel that she's calmed down enough. Pulling her front close to me now, I move one hand behind her head and hold it to my chest. “You scared the shit out of me,” I finally murmur against her head. I feel a small weak movement come from her, maybe a sniffle, maybe a laugh, maybe a scoff. I don't care as long as she's okay now.
After some long seconds, I grab her cheeks in both hands and angle her head to look up at me. “Are you alright now?”
She nods, trying to avoid my gaze. “I'm sorry.” Her voice is barely audible over the hubbub of laughter and shouting nearby.
My brows draw together as I force her sights back on me. “Fuck. Don't you dare be sorry for that. You hear me?” I pull her head back to my chest and rest my chin on top of it. “I'm just glad you're okay. Let's get out of here, okay?”
“Okay.”
CHAPTER 20
CAMPBELL
Jasmine falls asleep almost instantly on the half-hour drive back to her apartment, and stays asleep the entire time. It doesn't surprise me, considering what her body just went through. I imagine it probably drained her pretty well.
Once we arrive, I place my hand on the warm skin of her shoulder. “Hey, Jaz, we're at your place.” Her eyes pop open, and she sits up, looking a little out of sorts at first but much more alert than before. “I'm going to walk you up,” I add.
“Oh, sure, thanks,” she mumbles, waking up some more.
I wrap an arm around her shoulders as we go to ensure she's walking okay and maybe to keep her warm until we're inside. The doorman to her building seems friendly enough and smiles as we approach. He's probably seen her come and go at all hours of the night because of her job.
