This was bound to end in catastrophe, of that much Jamie was certain. But it didn't really stop him from doing so. Which, probably, wasn't all that like him despite how reckless and thoughtless he normally could be. Times with a woman, however, were not spent with Bella's sort. Not in the slightest. She was far from a pretty barmaid hoping to make a few extra coin at the end of the shift or a well trained and prideful prostitute that was only looking to be paid at the end of the night. Bella was neither of those. And, from what he'd gathered, she was a woman that was doing her damnedest to remain as respectable as possible despite being a bit too spontaneous and independent for her own good. As such, she'd be a woman with expectations and ones that he wasn't really sure he could fulfill.

There was also the fact that she's was Mac's assistant. Fuck.

But hearing his name as a whisper on her lips and the fact that she hadn't pulled away entirely and stormed out or slapped him across the face caused a strange sort of feeling to flutter in his chest. Was it hope? He wasn't sure and that was a bit terrifying. Why would she really want to be or stay with someone like him? He'd yelled at her on more than one occasion and he wasn't exactly the easiest to get along with. Not to mention how ridiculously dangerous his job was. He may not even return home one day.

But she was leaning in to kiss him again and it was all he could really think about. He finally relinquished her bandaged hand as it fell to her waist to actually pull her into sitting in his lap. She'd been close enough as it was, anyways, so why not just take the leap as his kissed her back. The need and desire was certainly felt even as a calloused thumb rubbed gently against her cheek. It was his turn to break from the kiss and regain his breath, hopefully to grasp the small bits of composure he might still be capable of. "It might be better if you leave," he said softly though there was no real push or heart in his tone. He didn't want her to. It would hurt like hell if she did. But he had to offer the option. He had to at least give her an out before she crossed a point that she couldn't come back from. "I don't know that I'll be able to stop if you stay," he added, perhaps the scariest of truths he'd ever admitted.

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