Left Behind (Completed) *editing*

Chapter Nine

I woke up wrapped in the warmth of two strong arms. I was pulled tighter against a bare chest and remembered that I was still with Colin's brother. "Dylan," I hissed, pulling away from him.

He groaned, tightening his hold on me. I pushed against him with the palm of my hand on his shoulder. His eyes closed tightly for a moment before opening slightly, peeking at me through his eyelashes. He looked around the room then back at me. Dylan then pulled his arms away from me.

"Sorry... Good morning," he whispered, flashing me a gorgeous smile.

"Good morning," I repeated to him. I laughed nervously. "Did you sleep okay?"

"I slept great," he assured me. His hand moved towards my face and one finger gently brushed my lip. I felt discomfort from the swelling and knew that was why he touched me. "What happened here?"

I took a sharp breath and blurted out the truth. "That's sort of why I'm here. My brother hit me..." I watched Dylan's eyebrows furrow in concern.

Why was it so easy to tell him this? I didn't even know him! That could be why, since I had nothing to lose by admitting this to him. Plus, Dylan looked vulnerable laying there in nothing but boxers.

"Shit," he muttered. "Does this happen a lot?" I nodded.

I took another gamble by pulling my shirt off. He watched silently, shocked I also then removed the jeans I had fallen asleep in. Instead of looking at my breasts like any other guy would have, his eyes shifted to bruises of my body -- taking in the sight of my injuries.

Bruises on my hip from being kicked, my shoulders and hip marked with bruises clearly shaped like a hand from being held down. My legs adorned small bruises against my fair skin from struggling to get away from him. I sighed and looked down, ashamed of what Liam had done to me.

I sat in nothing but a bra and underwear in front of a total stranger, hoping for reassurance. I just wanted someone to see what had happened and with Dylan, I had nothing to lose. I received just that as he pulled me into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered softly. "Please don't go near him again. You can't let him get away with this." His blue eyes showed genuine concern.

I reached for the t-shirt, pulling it back over my head. I was startled to hear the basement door fly open and the sound of someone coming down the stairs. I pulled the t-shirt on quicker, rushing to push my arms through the sleeve. Dylan pulled the blankets over my bare legs, grumbling.

"This is fucking great," he mumbled. I glanced at his phone, realizing it was still early enough that he should have been able to sneak out.

"What the hell?!" Colin shouted. His forehead wrinkled, looking back and forth between us. Dylan sighed, getting out of the bed and pulling his jeans on.

"Relax, I'm leaving," Dylan said, sighing. Colin looked at me in confusion.

"You slept with him?!" He asked, clearly horrified.

I shook my head adamantly. I was positive that Colin had the wrong idea.

"I slept here last night, just passing through as usual. I didn't screw your girlfriend," Dylan said, obviously he was amused.

"She isn't my girlfriend," Colin explained, shaking his head.

"Well, I know that. Mom wouldn't let her stay here if she was," Dylan retorted. He raised an eyebrow mischievously. "I bet you wish she was. If she was older, we would have done a lot more than sleep," he added with a wink. He walked over to Colin playfully shoving him. I felt my cheeks blush deeply.