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She felt the truth of his words and sighed. This wasn't her home. It was his, and she knew they were intruding. But they were doing the best…
"Hey."
She looked over at him as she walked toward the kitchen to start breakfast. "What?"
"I meant it when I said I like what you make me become."
"And what is that?"
"More."
She raised her eyebrows as she opened the fridge. "More what?"
He shrugged. "It's complicated. And it's not easy for me. But it's good."
She leaned on the door of the fridge, watching him as he stood in the doorway, guarding her dog and her kid at the same time. He was tall and muscled. A raw, untapped force of male power. "Since about two weeks after I married my ex-husband, I've been uncomfortable around men. I see all of them as a possible threat. I'm good with a gun now, and I work out, but pound for pound, I know I'd be in trouble if any man decided to come after me."
Jacob turned toward her, listening. His jaw was hard.
"I was scared I was going to teach Annie to be afraid of all men. I want her to be able to live a normal life, but I live in such fear that it's been difficult. That's why I started teaching the confidence class. Because I needed to learn it as well."
He propped his shoulder against the doorframe, giving her his full attention, with the exception of the frequent glances to check on Cupcake's safety. "I'd never hurt you."
She smiled. "That was my point. I believe I am safe with you. I believe Annie is safe with you. And that is a feeling I haven't had around a man in a very long time. I don't know that it will translate to other men, but it's a huge, welcome step for me. Thank you."
"Thanks for saying that." He smiled, the most adorable, charming, and honest smile she'd seen in a long time. It kind of melted her heart a little bit, this tough guy smiling like that. "I'm pretty fucked up," he admitted, "but there's one thing I'd never, ever do is hurt someone or something."
"Unless they were trying to kill me."
"Yes." He flashed her a resigned grin. "There are exceptions to every rule," he agreed. "But you need to know that every person in my family can be trusted as well." He paused. "You and Annie need to meet them. If anything ever happened to me, you need to feel comfortable going to them for help."
Sudden panic hit her. "What's going to happen to you?" She felt safe for the first time in forever. She wasn't ready to give that up. She wasn't ready to give him up.
"Nothing." He held up his hand. "It's theoretical. Just good to have a backup plan. I want you to meet more people in my family."
Panic nagged in her belly. "I'm very proud of the fact I ran out that door of my house with you," she admitted. "But I'm not really feeling a burning need to meet more people. I have trouble trusting people now. I don't want to meet a bunch of people."
"I know. That's why you need to. I'm going to ask Bella and Lucas to go on the ride with us today. I want the extra protection," he added, before she could argue. "It'll be good for you."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're very bossy."
He laughed softly. "I'm good for you, Phoebe. Roll with it." He gestured at the suitcases in the corner, and the stuffed animals and dog toys strewn about his living room. "Like you're good for me."
"Because you don't like people, so we're forcing you to be social and messy?"
"Among other reasons, yeah." He paused, an undertone to his words that made heat pool in her belly.
"Again," she said. "You did it again. You made that little comment that made me think of nakedness and kisses with you."
He flashed her a grin. "I did it on purpose that time. You just look so darned appealing leaning on the fridge door like that. I want to go over there, haul you into my arms, and kiss you until we both forget why we should stop."
"Why should we stop?" Her question was a little breathier than she meant.
His eyes darkened. "Lot of reasons."
"Like what?" She couldn't think of a single one right now, other than the obvious one that Annie could walk out at any moment.
"I'm a fuck up."
