Chapter 456 - She is his everything

In Jeff's bedroom, Jeff and JoAnna are in the bed, holding each other tightly.

After some time, JoAnna stopped sobbing and he carried her to the bathroom to wash her face. He helped her clean up, and then carried her back to the bed. Gently, carefully, as if he fears that she might break.

She is so delicate, and so strong at the same time. Jeff was not sure how to hold her, how much pressure he can exert without hurting her. But he knew that he does not want to let go of her, and she didn't want to let go of him either.

After all that happened, they needed each other to confirm that it's over. Maybe it was just a bad dream, or a twisted reality, but for a moment, both of them faced a possibility that they will not be together. That hurt. Like an open wound that stings like crazy.

Both of them relived the incident in their minds several times. Feeling of danger creeped into their hearts and it seemed impossible to shake off.

Few times JoAnna's shoulders shivered, and he rubbed her back gently. His actions were telling her that it's all OK now, and that they are safe. Both of them.

He pulled her close to him and held her tightly. They breathed together, and their hearts thumped together. And it was enough.

JoAnna looked up at him and their eyes met. He was looking at her as well.

She shifted her body higher, so that their eyes align. After few seconds of gazing into his eyes, she rested her head on the pillow, just above his shoulder. They don't know how long they held each other like that in silence.

JoAnna thought how reckless he was to go outside and face that man, and a light frown veiled her perfect face. "Don't you ever put yourself at risk like that again! Just thinking that you are in danger made me go crazy."

Jeff pressed his lips into a thin line. He wanted to say that he didn't do it on purpose. He thought that she might be in danger, and that is why he rushed out without thinking. But he didn't say anything. He only responded with a small nod.

"You told me few nights ago that you already know how your life would be without me. And for that moment, up on the roof, I got a glimpse of how I would feel if I lose you… and it was unbearable." JoAnna's eyes were red again, threatening to flood once more. Her chin was trembling, and her voice became a whisper as she continued. "Jeffrey White, if anything happened to you, I would follow right after. I can't live without you…" She suppressed sobs in her throat with difficulty. "You need to take care of yourself, because, in that way, you are taking care of me as well."

She was looking at him, and her sight was blurry due to tears that filled her eyes. If she could see clearly, she would see that his eyes are the same, red and full of tears.

JoAnna cupped his cheeks with her palms and brushed her lips over his.

His lips parted in response and he let her kiss him as much as she wanted. And she wanted a lot.

JoAnna kissed him with desperation fueled by need to confirm his presence, right there, next to her.

Their breaths mixed and they inhaled each other.

It took a while for JoAnna to notice that he is only responding to her. She inched away and observed him for a second before asking, "Don't you want me?"

Jeff responded with a small nod, almost shyly.

"Show me." JoAnna demanded. "Show me how much you want me."

Jeff's hand moved to the back of her head and he pulled her in for a kiss. When he closed his eyes, one tear escaped down his temple. He was glad that JoAnna's eyes are closed as well, and she didn't see it.

He does not want her to see how vulnerable and weak he is at this point. Those useless feelings that he pushed away long time ago, resurfaced again and made him feel insecure. And this woman in his arms saved him. Again. She is not aware that at this exact moment she is saving him once more. With every kiss, every touch, she is pulling him out from the abyss of misery. She believes in him. She loves him. She trusts him. She needs him. She fuels his desire to be a better man. To be a man who can protect her, and she can rely on. To be her man.

Her endless love fills up his heart and makes it beat stronger, just for her.

His kiss was hungry and unstoppable.

JoAnna's mind melted, and she was not aware at what point they rolled over so that he ended up on top of her.

Since they got into the room, Jeff was silent. But that kiss told her how much he keeps bottled up inside. All his fears, doubts, desperation, hopes and love. He told her everything with that kiss.

Jeff's hands trembled as he traced curves of her body, wanting to feel her more, to remove clothes which separated their bodies. But he only kissed her. For a long time. Gently, seductively, their lips barely touching and then domineering, almost tyrannical, deep, demanding, before shifting back to gentle seduction. His kiss matched changes in him as his thoughts shifted before merging into one. One thought that can be described with one word: JoAnna. She is his everything. He wants to protect her and cherish her and devour her at the same time. And he is torn between those needs.

JoAnna felt that he is holding back for some reason. "I said… Show me how much you want me…", she whispered into his lips.

Jeff burned from maddening desire to be inside her. JoAnna's words made him forget any stops he had and surrender to his animalistic needs. His mind focused on his arousal and her welcoming wet heat, which is so familiar, yet always new and exhilarating. His hands moved under her dress and his fingers reached for her panties.

The impatience of the way Jeff tore panties from JoAnna's body made her shiver from excitement.

She welcomed his weight pressing on her. She welcomed his strength holding her. She welcomed his length within her. She enjoyed feeling muscles of his back flexing beneath her hands as he slammed himself inside her again and again.

And then, both of them confirmed that they are alive. Right then, when they gripped each other tightly through shuddering waves of pleasure and their sounds blended into one.

Jeff's head fell on the pillow just above JoAnna's shoulder while his body slightly arched above her, trying not to press her down, fearing that he is too heavy, and not comfortable. He whispered her name and told her that he loves her. She wrapped her arms around his torso and pulled him down on her. And she smiled.

Jeff gathered JoAnna in his arms and held her closely. They breathed together, and their hearts thumped together. And it was enough. It was everything.