Sequel to 'Choices'.
When he said, "It's no where near enough-" he really did mean it after all.
Hardin Scott has held a stunning record at breaking hearts, especially when he is served Theresa Young's.
Bleeding in love, Tessa has concluded that pe...
My voice cracks terribly as I utter the words, through my sobs. I can't run. I can't hide. This is, the primal, involuntary, subconscious and universal truth of my life and I can't, fight it anymore.
I can't, not love him.
"I don't want to love you." He whispers, and I move my hand behind his neck, gently playing with the hair above his collar.
I know him enough now to understand that this was his defense. He is hurting and so he wants the feeling that's causing it in the first place, to go away.
Hardin is latching onto his past and like a dominoes chain reaction, he's just trying to remove the very first piece that set it all off.
"I love you, Hardin." I whisper again, my voice shivering with desperation.
Immediately, he crashes his lips on mine and it's like fuel to an already blazing fire. His mouth moves skillfully over mine and he brings his arms to encircle my waist.
The kiss heats up into a passionate, violent outburst as we both pour out all we had. Every drop of anger, every inch of love and every ounce of pain.
I can feel tears still pouring out of my closed eyes and the taste of beer, mixed with wine makes me believe that this is real.
That Haridn is really here.
He swallows any and every cry that manages to escape my throat and right now, I'm afraid to part for oxygen, afraid that this moment, once ended, would never come back to me again.
I want to assure him that hating me is not the alternative. He loved me. Just as much as I did him. And if this wasn't it, I didn't know what else was.
He brings one hand to the nape of my neck, holding me firmly and I run my fingers wildly through his hair, tugging him closer.
I feel the cold wall against my back and the toned flesh of Haridn pressed into me, up front. His whole body rests against the whole of mine, transferring warmth, comfort and love. Simple love. That somehow got complicated.
We part eventually, panting and gasping for breath.
He runs his cheek along mine and I can feel the slight roughness of the stubble that has grown.
He glides down to my neck, inhaling and nibbling, through our shivering bodies. Adrenaline pumps through my veins and I have never before experienced this level of passion. Desire. Need.
"Get out, Theresa. Get out of my head. Just get out of my head, please."
I feel Hardin buckling under his knees slowly, pulling me down along, my already weak jello legs assisting.
He collapses, alcohol taking effect as his legs sprawl out by my side, and his face still buried in my neck. I slide down against the wall and bring my knees up to his head, levering it against them.
He has probably passed out, as I can tell from his relaxed and still body. While I am a breathless, shaken mess.
How are we going to make this right, if at all.
I need Hardin. I love him. And I can't think of one way I could have him back the way I did.
I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him closer and plant a soft kiss on his temple.
"I don't- don't want to- love-e yo-" I feel his soft mumbling against my skin and I run my hand through his hair, silently hoping to comfort both ourselves.
An indescribable ache emerges, in ways I never knew it could. Hardin loves me, but he doesn't want to. We both are so hurt, damaged, needing each other more than ever, and yet we can't have us.
He has suddenly become the raindrop on my window sill that I know is going to fall off anyway, yet I admire it. And just when I start, it drops down.
My head hurts from all the excessive crying and thinking and feeling and hurting. I place a hand below Hardin's head and carefully stand him up, leaning his weight against mine.
I stagger and stumble my way with his hand around my neck and enter my room after a long tiring walk.
I place him down on the bed, and he lands with a thud. His eyes are closed and he wiggles his eyebrows in confusion, murmuring something incoherent.
I remove his shoes, socks and then fish into his pockets to remove the wallet, keys. I place them on my side table and turn to him again to find sweat beads on his head.
I inch closer to find his neck sweating as well. I place my palm gently on his forehead to check if he has a fever but he doesn't.
I brush his hair off his forehead after wiping my own face. His skin is strained, sweaty and cold. I sigh.
There's so much to talk about, Hardin.
I dab a wet cloth, firm and gentle against his face and neck, cautious of not disturbing him. I run it once over his arms exposed beneath the folded sleeve and his feet. And he does co-operate, except a few turns and mumbled nothings.
Now that I have finished, he does look a bit cleaner and more hygienic. I don't want him getting sick.
I cast off the cloth and the water bowl, and with it any wayward worrying and thoughts that might take up more space in my head.
Because right now I was too tired to even think.
I pull the comforter over his legs and he tosses again.
I gently squeeze his hand and he grips it tighter.
"Don't- lea-v-" I pat his forehead with my free hand and place a light, feather kiss on his cheek, just to assure him that I hadn't left. I tremble inwardly with a bittersweet giddiness.
"Goodnight, Hardin." I whisper silently to him.
"Goodnight, Hardin." He mumbles distractedly and I close my eyes with a sad, rueful smile.
Author's rant:
These two and my brain are going to kill me.
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Would you forgive Hardin if you were in Tessa's place?
I just want to know if you believe it's possible to love someone that much.
Song for the chapter-
Astronomical by SVRCINA
Okay, can I just take a moment to freak out over the insane response I've received for the last chapter! LIKE IT HAS BEEN THE BEST THROUGHOUT MY WHOLE TWO BOOKS AND I KID YOU NOT!
