The Desperation Inside

Chapter 6: Resistance

Jake's tongue darted out to lick his lips, the taste of her lingering there and driving him insane. He watched the adorable blush flooding her face. Don't push her. She is fragile, and you might break her. Jake let his fingers gently trace her cheek, before lowering his hand to grip her fingers. He took a deep breath, and said a silent prayer for patience as he fought down the arousal that was racing through his veins. Pulling her to her feet, he steered Glory in front of him and guided her to the kitchen. "As much as I would love to continue kissing you, we need to get food in you."

With a dazed nod, she allowed him to lead her into the kitchen and sit her at the table. Jake slid a bowl of soup across to her, gesturing for her to eat. Glory managed to eat nearly half the bowl before she pushed it away, still avoiding looking him in the eyes.

"Glory, I want to talk with you about a couple of things," Jake began. Her eyes finally met his, and he could see hints of fear and pain in their depths. "I made a few phone calls while you were resting. I have some time off, so I am going to stay here with you. I have some friends that owe me some favors, and they are going to gather everything we need to make sure these guys are punished for what they have done. They are not going to come anywhere near you. I promise you will be safe, ok?"

"Why are you doing this for me?" Glory asked him, her wary eyes searching his. "You barely even know me. Why would you waste your time or favors on some random chick that you just met?"

"How could I not care?! Guys like them have to be stopped. Glory, you were just a kid, and you never should have had to deal with that kind of treatment. Someone has to stand up and put an end to it." Jake told her.

Glory stared at him for several moments. Suddenly, he saw a flash of something unrecognizable in her eyes. Then, as quickly as he saw it, it was gone and her whole face went blank. "You aren't just trying to get me to stay here so you can...so you..can..... , " she struggled to get the words out.

Jake frowned and shook his head. "Glory, I know that what just happened in the living room might have given you the wrong impression, but I promise you this-I will never, ever touch you without your consent. I am not going to lie and tell you that I don't find you attractive, because I do. I can promise you though, you will never need to worry about me forcing you to do anything with me." Jake watched her face, trying to pinpoint any emotions there, and was surprised to find none.

After several minutes of them sitting, just watching each other's faces, Glory spoke, so softly he almost missed it."What if I want you to touch me?"

Jake froze, his breathing erratic as he again struggled to keep himself from grabbing her to continue where they started.

"Sweetie, as tempting as that sounds, I don't think that is what you really want, or need, right now. Once we have gotten this situation resolved, then we can explore any attraction you have for me. Until then I think it would be best to wait." Jake watched her reaction to gauge how she was taking this. If he was honest with himself, he was not 100% sure that he could resist her if she really wanted to take their relationship farther. A wave of heat filled him as he remembered the feel of her lips on his. God, please help me resist temptation.

******************************************

Glory's head felt like it was spinning as she tried to process everything that had gone on since she had woken up on the couch. Between the memory of those warm lips caressing hers, and the look of heat that darkened his eyes, her mind was working in overdrive.

Just then, Jake's phone rang, giving them a reprieve from the quickly heating stare down that they were currently locked in.

"Hey Shaun, ....yeah that was the name .. what?!" Glory's brow furrowed in confusion at the one sided conversation but when she saw Jake's eyes cutting over at her, she knew it had something to do with her situation. Rubbing her hands quickly up and down her arms, she tried to ward off the chill that was trickling through her.

She watched him run his fingers roughly through his hair. Thinking about how those fingers had felt caressing her face, she wondered what might have happened if she met someone like him before she make the huge mistake of dating Alex.

Jake hung up the phone and looked over at her. "It seems that Alex is married now. My guys are going to do some more digging, but it doesn't look like he is planning anything. They are having trouble locating Chad." As their eyes met, he could feel sadness and shame settling over her. "Glory- I know you don't believe me... But you know what happened wasn't your fault. I think it would help if you let God start healing some of those scars. Would you mind if we prayed together?"

Her eyes shot open wide, and then slammed closed as tears seeped out. "Praying didn't do me any good two years ago, when I cried and begged God for help. I think it is a little too late for him to intervene now!" She lept from the table and ran back into the guest room, quickly shutting the door behind her.