Scarred (Unlikely Heroes Book 5) by Leslie Georgeson Page B

first just little jitters as his breath hitched in, then out. He lowered his head and buried his face in her hair. He breathed in again, out, his breath catching on each inhale.
    Then he broke down, clinging to her, sobbing uncontrollably.
    Emily’s heart shattered.
    His legs buckled. Emily tried to hold him up but he was too heavy. She fell to her knees beside him in the grass and pulled him back into her arms. Surprisingly, he didn’t resist, just let out another sob and clung to her. He was so broken. She didn’t know what to do except hold him and let him know she cared.
    Emily knew how it felt to cry until there was nothing left inside you. Until the person you once were was now dead and gone.  
    She held him while he cried, gently patted his back, stroked her fingers through his hair, whispered soothingly in his ear. She felt his pain as if it were her own.
    Her chest tightened. Her throat clogged. Her eyes filled with tears.
    At last he took a deep breath, gathered himself. He leaned away from her, his red-rimmed gaze searching hers. “What the fuck are you doing to me?”
    Emily didn’t know how to answer that, because she wasn’t sure what he was asking.
    “What do you mean?”
    He groaned. “I’ve been cold and detached, unable to feel anything for too many years to count. Now, you… touch me and I turn into a fucking cry baby.”
    Emily sighed. “You make it sound like emotions are bad. That feelings are a weakness.”
    He snorted. “They are. If you don’t feel, no one can hurt you.”
    Her heart clenched. Oh Sebastian. What happened to you?
    A tear trickled unheeded down her cheek.
    His gaze zoomed in on her face. “Why are you crying?” His voice was hoarse, his words hesitant, as if he feared her response.
    She swallowed hard. “Because it hurts me to see you hurting so much.”
    He closed his eyes, drew in a ragged breath. “Scar was my best friend. I rescued him when he was a pup. They used him as a bait dog because he wouldn’t fight. The other dogs tore him up until he was almost dead. The guy who owned him tossed him outside to die. I brought him in and nursed him back to health. Some people think Pitbulls are born with dangerous propensities.” He shook his head. “Not me. Scar was an example of a sweet-tempered animal who had no viciousness in him. Even when they forced him to fight, he cowered away and let the other dogs maul him nearly to death. Scar…reminded me of myself. I never wanted to fight either. We were two damaged souls all alone in the world. Scar and I helped each other heal. And now…he’s gone.”
    He turned his face away from her.
    “I’m so sorry,” Emily whispered. “But you don’t have to suffer alone anymore. I know I could never give you what you had with Scar, but I’m your friend. I’m here for you. Always.”
    He squeezed his eyes shut, let out a long breath. “Thank you for…believing in me. I wasn’t myself when you came out here. I’m…just so fucking lost.”
    Emily brushed a lock of dark hair away from his brow.
    He sucked in a breath. His gaze darted to hers. His hand slid up her bare thigh, jolting her senses, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. She was still dressed in her nightshirt and the fabric had shifted up her leg when she’d knelt on the grass. Splotches of Scar’s blood stained her nightshirt and a portion of her leg.
    Sebastian gently stroked his thumb across her thigh. Back and forth. Flames ignited in her lower abdomen, spreading outward.
    His gaze held hers. 
    The breath snagged in her throat. Her heart galloped out of control.
    He leaned toward her. Slowly. His gaze intensified as it settled on her mouth.
    Crap. He was going to kiss her.
    She jerked back, bolting to her feet.
    “You need to learn to believe in yourself, Sebastian.” Her voice shook.
    She’d almost been drawn under his spell. Almost…
    He lunged to his feet. “Emily…you…should go back inside now.”
    She watched his face. “Are you sure you