My protector

25. Powerful Phrase

James POV:

As me and Riley walk up the spiral stair way I hear a faint growl indicating that the girl must be hungry. I know she only isn't eating because I didn't want her auntie to spend her time cooking extra for me. I feel kinda bad I made her feel as though she had to sacrifice her food for me.

But I also know how driven and determined this girl is and know that no matter how hard I tried she wouldn't of given in.

We enter her bedroom and I take a seat on her bed, she quickly follows me and lays across my lap, looking up me, I play with the tips of her hair as we sit in silence.

"Riles I'm sorry that I made you feel like you couldn't eat your dinner because I didn't have anything to eat with you" I sigh leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"James it ok, honestly, I would of felt terrible if I sat there eating while u watched from beside me. If you go without that so do I... were a team after all..." she attempts to reassure me.

God what did I do to deserve her...

I move to lay down beside her in the bed and drap and arm around her. She then turns over so our noses are only inches apart.

"what did I do to deserve such a selfless and beautiful girl?" I say thinking aloud, but I don't stop myself from speaking.

"what did I do to deserve such a loyal and perfectly imperfect boy?" she replies, making my heart skip a beat.

We share a smile before I kiss her passionately on the lips. Our kiss starts slow and is full of emotion but starts to get more rough.

She moans softly against my lips as I tower over her and slowly let my hands roam the sides of her body. She leaned upwards and deepened the kiss but pulls away after a while to catch her breath.

"I love you so much James.." she says sleepily, still trying to even out her breathing. I lay back down beside her and return to the position I was originally in.

But as she says the words 'I love you' I feel a lump form at the back of my throat. What do I say back?

Well I know what she wants me to say back but I don't think I can, not yet anyway... So what the hell do I say without making myself seem like a complete fool?

I watch as she looks up at me, hope feeling her eyes, clearly waiting for me to recite the same line. God I must be looking like such an idiot.

I slowly sit up and try get ride of the lump in the back of my throat. Riley senses quickly somethings off and sits up aswell, rubbing my back slowly in attempt to help.

"James, are you ok?" she asks, concern evident. I just nod still not being able to speak.

"did I do something wrong?" she seems to grow more worried as if she'd messed up, thankfully I was able to speak up before she had anymore time to stress.

"no no, no Riles you didn't do or say anything wrong baby" I smile weakly, pulling her into a side hug.

"then why did u freeze up?" she looks up at me. Clearly baffled at my reaction.

"I just... Uh, well..." I stutter trying to gather the right words.

"you can tell me, I won't judge you or anything" her expression changes slightly and she seems to get more worried aswell as scared.

"I just.. I don't think im ready to say that yet.." I admit. Her face expression fades and I see her start to get hurt by my words. Shit!

"Riles it's not because of you or anything, it's just because it's a powerful phrase and I want to save it for a very special occasion, you know?" I justify quickly.

"it's ok, I understand" she says softly, smiling at me. I feel myself relax. Few!

"Just know that if I don't say it back it doesn't mean I don't want to, I like you alot Riles and just remember that. Im just waiting for the perfect time to say it properly, ok?" she nods and cuddles up to me then.

"well I'll be waiting for then... And just so you know, you can always be open with me" was the last thing she said before falling asleep in my arms.