Female Warrior's second chance Mate

Second Chance?

Jessica POV

    What? s**t, f**k no! A second chance mate, really? Aren’t those super rare? I have one? No, this is not going to fly. I am not going through this pain again. As gorgeous as this guy is, and he’s so gorgeous. He’s at least 6’2”, with loose fitting jeans, and that black button down, uh it fits him perfectly. I could just imagine the muscles that rippled under that shirt. His black hair was shaved around his ears, a little longer on the top and perfectly messy. He had a small diamond stud in each ear. It was a panty dropping combination, thinking about it made me want to climb up on my desk and let him have his way with me. I shook my head.

    Get a hold of yourself Jess, remember Ryan and all the s**t he put you through. I told myself the same thing every time, I even so much as came in the vicinity of getting close to a man. I had enough pain in my life right now, I didn't need anyone adding more.

    “Can I sit?” He gestured to one of my visitor chairs. It took me longer than it should have to respond, his voice was deep, silky, and smooth. I got lost in it for a second. I had to clear my throat before I responded.

    “Sure.” 

    He walked further into the room and closed the door behind him. I'd be lying if I said that I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to stare while he wasn't looking. I was going to need a mop for the drool. Damn this mate bond, it was clouding my thoughts and my judgment. I composed myself before he turned back around. Once he reached the chair, he sat all the way back. Might as well get comfortable, I leaned back in my chair and rested my hands on my stomach just below my breasts. I had to place my injured hand on top so I didn't agitate it. As soon as his eyes rested on the bandage he shot to the edge of his seat.

    “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice and eyes full of worry. He seemed sincere, but I've been fooled before.

    “Yes, it's minor and will heal soon enough. It's not the worst I've ever had.” 

    He relaxed when I confirmed that I was fine and then tensed right back up at the fact that I had been hurt worse. I think I heard a small growl escape him. I could feel my wolf's happiness over his worrying, but there was no way I was letting us get caught up. After a few moments he slid back in the chair and started to bounce his leg, he wrung his hands together and he was looking around the room. The man was nervous.

    “You're not going to get fired for fighting are you? I can't imagine your boss is a fan. Does he mind you using his office to patch yourself up?” Normally I would be offended that not only did he assume I wasn’t in charge, but that the person who is was male. I felt a swell of pride in telling him the truth, and my wolf wanted him to be impressed.

    “No, I'm able to use this office whenever I need to for whatever I need to. No one employed here gets angry about me fighting.”

    “Why is that?”

    “Because this is my office. I own this bar and I only fight when necessary.” 

    I saw his body still, then relaxed as pride filled his eyes. He was impressed, and it made my heart swell. What is wrong with me? I didn't need his approval. Why should I care if he's proud? Ever since Ryan ripped my heart out I didn't give two shits about what any man thought of me. The only approval I needed came from my father, or my older brother Jamie. I know this man is my mate, but why do I care what he thinks? Because I’m lonely and my heart aches for love and acceptance? I shook my thoughts off and noticed he was bouncing his leg again and looking even more nervous. 

    “You seem nervous. Why is that?” He looked at me and he seemed shocked by my question. He sighed, looked down then looked back up at me.

    “Because I want to give in to my wolf and claim you, I’ve waited so long to find you.”

    I sighed, he seemed like a nice guy, so the least I could do is let him down easy. I want to keep him, but I don’t want to get hurt again. I looked down at the desk before I spoke. I just knew if I saw his face it would break the cold stone in my chest I call my heart.

    “You seem like a nice guy, but I’m not looking for a mate. I’ve had a mate before and it didn’t end so well for me.” I felt myself choke up, my voice cracked at the end and I had to blink back my tears. Seriously, what is wrong with me? I don’t show vulnerability to anybody. I looked up to see that he didn’t look nervous anymore and his eyes softened. It wasn’t pity in his eyes, it was more like understanding.

    “I see. Are you going to reject me?” His eyes turned sad.

    “I don’t want to.” My voice was whisper soft as I looked down again. Why did I feel the need to cry?

    “Then don’t” I looked up shocked.

    “What?”

    “Don’t reject me. I won’t force you to be my mate, but we could be friends and get to know each other. I'm not asking you to blindly trust me, but to give me a chance to earn your trust.” 

    “What are you saying?”

    “I’m saying that I’d like it if you simply accept the mate bond and then we do things the human way. You know, talk, get to know each other, go on a few dates then decide if we want to become a real couple or not. I understand we’re complete strangers and you’ve been hurt in the past. I’ve waited so long to find you and I really want to keep you. I’m willing to do anything you need me to.”

    The tears were burning my eyes and I swear I felt a little of the ice around my heart melt. His offer sounded so nice.

    “How can I even think of agreeing to something like that when I don’t even know your name?”

    “Jacobi.”

    His name was exotic and I loved it. I wanted to say it, wanted to know how it felt on my lips. Stupid heart was going to get me into trouble. I cleared my throat, I seem to do that a lot lately.

    “Jacobi.” Oh it sounded so nice rolling off my tongue I could tell he liked it too. “My name is Jessica.”

    “Well Jessica it’s very nice to meet you.” I always thought that my name sounded boring and common, but when he said it, it was like I heard it for the first time. I wanted him to say my name all the time. Who am I right now?

    “I have a question for you.” I hummed at him and raised a brow. “Your accent is so adorable. Where is it from?”

    I actually felt myself blush, I didn’t know I was still capable of doing that.

    “Um, Texas.” 

    He stood up and I did the same. I wasn’t expecting our conversation to end so abruptly but I also wasn’t being the most gracious of hosts so I can’t blame him. He turned toward the door, and froze when his hand was on the handle, it seemed to me like he was debating something. Suddenly he turned back around, opened his mouth then closed it. He looked down and blushed, it was the cutest thing I have ever seen. He slowly looked up and looked even more nervous.

    “Can I ask you for something?” I figured he was going to ask for my number so I nodded.

    “Can… Can I kiss you? I just want to know what it feels like to kiss your mate.” 

    His voice was so soft and quiet. Just the fact that he asked, had me crossing the room. Once I was just a few feet away from him I looked up at him. He really was gorgeous, his jaw was square and covered with a day or two of stubble, I wanted to run my hand over every inch. His nose was a little crooked indicating that he had broken it more than once, he was a fighter as well. Those lime green eyes of his looked into mine with such longing, that I found myself moving closer to him. Once there was only a few inches between us, I reached out and placed my palms on his chest. I felt those all too familiar sparks, they felt just as good as the first time I felt them. I stared at my hands trying as if I was trying to see physical evidence of them. When I looked up he had a scared look on his face, like he thought I was going to push him away. I softened my eyes and smiled at him. I felt him tentatively put his hands on my waist. It felt so good, I couldn’t help but close my eyes. When I opened my eyes I saw him looking at me, asking if it was ok for him to keep going. I nodded, and he leaned down. Our lips touched and it was like the fourth of July. It made me forget everything, I forgot about Ryan and all the pain he caused me, I forgot how I had hardened my heart, I even forgot about the PTSD and all that came with it. I felt at peace for the first time in a long time. 

    He was a perfect gentleman, he didn’t move his hands, he didn’t even move his lips he just stood there with his lips on mine. After about a minute, he started to pull away but I wasn’t ready. I moved my hands up to the nape of his neck and pulled him back down. This made him release a little of his control. He moved one of his arms up to my shoulders while the other wrapped tighter around my waist. He pulled me as close as he possibly could. It was at this time he started to move his lips, he moved them slowly like he didn’t want to rush this. We kissed like that until we couldn’t breathe. He broke away first and rested his forehead against mine.

    “That was unexpected.” His voice was a little raspy from being out of breath and it made me want to kiss him again.

    “It felt too good, I couldn’t let it end so quickly.” I was just as breathless.

    “I take it you accept the mate bond and my offer?”

    I pushed on his chest a bit and he let me lean back enough so I could see his face.

    “Can I have a day or two to think it over?”

    “Take all the time you need. I’ve waited ten years for you. I think I can wait a couple more days.”

    Poor guy’s been alone for ten years, and he doesn’t seem like the type to have a new girl in his bed every night. He may be worth a try, he might also be just what I need. 

    “Thank you.”

    “Anything for you Jessica.” 

    He stole a kiss before walking out the door. I felt empty when he left and it was like all the hurt that I had forgotten came rushing back and there was no holding back the tears. I walked over to the couch and sat down. I put my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands. I cried, I cried in a way I haven’t since I was 18 and had my heart broken. I didn’t even know Jace was in the room until he pulled my hands from my face. He looked so worried.

    “JJ what happened? Are you alright?”

    “I’m fine Jace.”

    “Then why are you crying?”

    “Because I’m a f*****g mess.”