Page 56 of Finding Carly
“I keep thinking about how fast we’re moving, now that we’ve decided we’re more than friends. I jumped into things with Shawn and that didn’t turn out so well.”
Jag didn’t take offense. He understood how she felt better than anyone. “It’s okay,” he soothed, shifting them so he was on his back once more, and she was plastered to his side.
“It’s stupid. I mean, we sleep together every night,” she grumbled.
“I told you once and I’ll say it again as many times as you need to hear it,” Jag said. “We don’t have to rush anything.”
“I want you,” she said softly. “I’m just…scared.” She let out a long breath of air. “I’m sick of being scared,” she muttered. “Seriously, I’m so pathetic.”
“You aren’t,” Jag reassured her. “And I’d be upset if you did something you weren’t comfortable with or ready for. Is sleeping in the same bed as me awkward? I can—”
“No!” she exclaimed, quickly interrupting him. Her voice lowered as she said, “I like being next to you at night. It calms me. My subconscious knows you’ll never let anyone come in and steal me away if you’re there with me.”
“Damn straight,” Jag muttered. She giggled, and the sound made his muscles relax. “Wearemoving fast, but you should know, I’ve had a crush on you for months,” he admitted.
Carly smiled up at him. “Yeah?”
“Yup. Ever since we all accompanied Aleck to Duke’s to meet Kenna.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t run in the other direction when I went a little spastic after Shawn’s kidnapping attempt,” she said.
Jag rolled his eyes. “Spastic? Please. You were trying to protect yourself the best way you knew how. And protect your friends.”
“Yeah. I guess I was.”
“I don’t…do this,” Jag admitted.
“Do what?”
“Fall for someone like I have you,” he said plainly. “So you take as much time as you want to feel comfortable with me. I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”
“You’ve fallen for me?”
“Head over fucking heels,” Jag said quietly with a straight face.
“A girl could use that to her advantage…if she was a bitch.”
“Yup. But you won’t and you aren’t.”
“You sound sure of that,” Carly said.
“I am. How about I get up and make us a snack after all?” Jag asked.
Carly sighed. “It’s probably for the best. Jag?”
“Yeah, angel?”
“I’m falling for you too.”
He grinned. “Good.” Then he shifted, climbed over her, and stood. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “Keep my spot warm,” he ordered, as he turned and headed for the kitchen.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Jag liked the routine he and Carly had fallen into, and he was as proud of the way she was handling everything thrown at her. Not even a month ago, she’d have a panic attack if she so much as stepped outside. Yesterday, while he’d been at work, she’d gone to the grocery store by herself.
Some people wouldn’t think that was a big deal, but Jag knew how much of a huge step it was. The self-defense sessions she was attending had done wonders for her self-esteem and confidence. He could see Carly incorporating everything she was learning about being aware of her surroundings at all times, when they were out together.
To all of their frustration, Baker was still coming up with nothing in regard to who might’ve been working with Carly’s ex. Jag still wasn’t ready to believe Shawn had been working alone. He had an accomplice, Jag would bet his SEAL career on it.
