Putting The Pieces back Together

Putting The Pieces Back Together Pt4

Ava 29

Those eyes.

I blink rapidly, trying to gain awareness of my surroundings.

Those eyes. They're piercing. He gives me a lazy smile that makes my stomach flutter.

"You okay?" His voice is soft but prodding. He wants to know what that was.

"I'm fine." My voice is laced with sleep as I lean up, pressing against his chest. His gentle hold on my arm releases and he reluctantly lets me go, instantly making me miss his warmth.

"What were you dreaming about? That was intense."

"Nothing. I'm fine." Ethan frowns at my sharp tone.

"I'm sorry. I'm fine; really I am." I grab the remote and click off the blinking DVD player. On a sigh I lean forward, dropping my head in my hands.

"Does that happen every night?" I shrug, not bothering to look up.

"You should go," I mumble, before giving in to a yawn. I stand and he follows.

"Ava."

The way he says my name does funny things to me. I blame it on the sleep-induced haze I'm in right now.

"Ethan?" I fidget with things on the coffee table, needing a reason to not look at him.

"Ava." His voice leaves no room for argument.

I grab the bowl on the coffee table, effectively releasing my frustration and spilling kernels onto the floor.

"What?"

"Look at me." He takes a step toward me, right arm extended in a pleading gesture.

"What are you looking for, Ethan?" I can't help the defeat I feel.

"Is that normal?"

"Of course it's not. I don't think people wake up crying."

"Is it your normal?" His eyes are searching, drilling into me. I hate it. I hate that he's already gotten the answers before I even open my mouth. I hate that he knows me better than I thought. It's obvious by the way he's looking at me. He's figured something out and it's changed things.

I let out a yell, frustrated that he's asking me to think about shit I don't even understand yet. I make my way to the kitchen, trying to walk faster than my tired body will allow. Ethan is on my heels, keeping up with my zombielike pace and stopping directly behind me. I feel his breath tickling the back of my neck.

"I didn't like seeing you like that." He lets out a warm breath, swaying the loose hairs that have escaped from my messy bun.

"It was nothing..." My words are weak, coming out in a breath.

"What's hurting you?" I turn to face him, leaning my back against the counter. His breath kisses my lips and my stomach tightens. His hand comes up, caressing my cheek, wiping the tears I had forgotten were there. His smell is intoxicating, spicy and masculine. I bite my lip, trying my hardest to understand everything I'm feeling. His eyes follow my movement and he lets out a frustrated growl. My eyes flutter shut as his thumb creates lazy circles on my cheek. I should back away. Run away. I should tell him to leave. My eyes open and my breath quickens.

"Ava..." He breathes my name and it has me leaning forward.

"Ethan, I..."

"Ava honey. Are you up? The television is on." I jump back, my mother's voice breaking me out of the spell I was under.