Gem in the Rough

Chapter 42

*Mature content ahead.

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The only noise in the room other than our breathing is the fan, the deep silence is unnerving. After Kieran falls asleep on my lap, I continue to lie awake rubbing his back. I'm going to be so tired tomorrow, but I don't care.

With being caught up in myself and my family since I've met Kieran, I forgot that he has pieces of himself that are broken too. I don't know if he's been able to go to therapy lately and he hasn't been home much to see his dad. He doesn't even have any friends that he talks about. I'm guessing he doesn't have any that are close.

He's not caring for himself because he's too worried about me and I can't let that happen anymore. As much as I love him and love being taken care of, because I've never been cared for like this before, I still need to be alone sometimes. I need to allow him his own time, as much as he says he doesn't want or need it.

How do I get him to believe that I'll be okay? I don't even know how I'll be okay to be honest. I crave his touch and his smile all the time. I'm in so deep. How did I even get here? A couple of months ago I was focusing on my classes and my jobs, occasionally going out. No guy could make me do any different.

Until Kieran. Maybe my mom is right, and it is fate. Either way, I've changed so much in a small amount of time, and I don't know if it's a good thing.

Is it a good thing that I'm so dependent on him now? Maybe not. It is good that I've focused less on what others want for me, and more on my own happiness. I needed someone to show me how to do that. Despite learning about Jillian and my parents and that's being really hard, he's made me happy.

"Gem, I can hear you thinking in my sleep. How is that possible?" Kieran shifts so he's lying on his back, his head still in my lap, while his arms lift in a stretch. It's still dark out and he still has time to sleep.

"Because you're a wizard, Kieran. Now go back to bed." I laugh at my own joke quietly as he slowly sits up. I pout when he's no longer touching me.

His own laugh matches mine and then adds, "No pouting. I'm just moving." Kieran stretches again, sitting up on the bed, and turns to climb in beside me.

I roll my eyes out of habit and realize my mistake too late. Kieran's now hovering above me, his rough hand lightly around my throat.

"What did I say about rolling your eyes at me, Gem?" His voice is husky and low, the pressure on my throat increasing. My thighs pull together underneath him. I can practically feel his smirk as he notices my action. "Answer me."

"That I shouldn't do it," I mumble. The excitement of the impending make-up sex is bubbling up inside of me.

"Hm? I can't hear you. Speak up." I almost roll my eyes again at his demand, but I stop. Instead, I decide I'm going to go another route.

"That I shouldn't do it!" My voice comes out bratty and I growl at him. I sense the shock on his face briefly before he takes back his control. Kieran's face inches closer to mine so I can finally see him in the dark. His eyes are vicious as they bore into mine, but also asking for permission. I answer him silently with my eyes.

Before I know what's happening, my body is flipped over and my shirt pushed up on my back, my pantie-clad ass out for Kieran to see. I huff, wiggling against his legs that are on either side of me. He pulls the panties down my thighs. One hand remains on my neck behind my head, pushing me into my pillow, my arms beneath me.

"You want to talk back to me, huh?" His breath hits my ear and I shiver. A loud smack against my backside makes me flinch and moan at the same time. "This is what happens when you roll your eyes and give me attitude about it."