A Story Of Us (INK ME Series) Book One *under editing*

Chapter 6

Ember

Making my way to the bathroom I look through the drawers until I find a new tooth brush. Turning around I start the water while I brush. Looking at myself in the mirror for the first time after everything happened. A small tear runs down my face as my brain goes over all the events from earlier this evening. I'm a strong person with everything I went through, but even the strongest person in the room has their breaking point in life. Sighing I turn around and step into the steam filled shower and try to wash every and any part of me that feels or looks dirty. More tears fall and I feel defeated. I spent so many years suppressing this side of me but I can feel it trying to break through. Muffling my cry's as I rinse off, I turn the water off and step out. Looking around I realize I don't even have anything to wear. I am not putting the clothes back on he touched.

I look around and see a dresser over in the far corner of the room. Walking over I open a few drawers and fine a pair of boxers and a long, short sleeve shirt. I'm going to guess it's Jax's clothes, I'm so tired I could care less, and honestly smelling like him might help me sleep better tonight.

Laying down on the over-sized bed I stare up at the ceiling, my brain just won't shut up. I just need it to stop, the voices, scenes playing behind my eyes. Turning over to silence my shallow breathing into the pillow beside me I close my eyes and fall into a nightmare that seems to go on forever.

One year ago, I was making sure dinner was ready at 6:30 sharp. I knew he was going to walk into the front door at any moment. I met Chase in my junior year of college. He would always tell me I was the most beautiful girl in the world. Always bought me flowers and small but meaningful gifts even though it wasn't a holiday. I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world. It wasn't until I moved in with him did, he change. At first it was small things. Telling me what to wear, not letting me hangout with friends. I never really put as much taught as I should into it, I guess. That was my fault. It was always my fault in his eyes. Hearing the door slam shut I whip my head toward the front door and wait. My head is lowered and I take a deep breath. "Look at you trying to be a good girl, made my dinner for me and everything, you know it makes me think of what you could have done. Tell me Ember did you talk to a little boy outside the store today while getting MY food for tonight!" I whimper, "I promise I just told him directions to the dinner in town he is not from here and needed help!" I hear him grunt in disapproval; he doesn't believe me no matter what I say I know he won't hear it. He never does anymore. He walks over to me and pulls me out the chair by my hair, I can feel it rip aggressively from my scalp. P-Please Chase I promise I'll be better!

"You're nothing but a worthless human, I don't even know why I keep you alive anymore." He throws me against the wall, I hit my head and fall to the floor crying. "You know it's been a while since I marked you. why don't we do that shall we?" I stare up at him shaking in fear, come on just get up and run Ember you can do this. Before I could even move my leg underneath myself, I'm pushed down laying on my stomach and I feel the familiar sting on my back. I wonder what he wrote this time. I scream for him to stop; I scream and scream and scream until It's black.

"Butterfly, please wake up."

"Come on baby, that's it come back to me."

Sitting up quickly in a daze I see Jax staring at me with a look of sadness. "You wouldn't stop screaming. I've been trying to wake you for five minutes. What happened butterfly?" Trying to catch my breath as I stare at him. I must look like a crazy person. "I don't think you're crazy Ember."

Shit did I say that out loud.

"Yes, you did but don't worry about that, are you ok?"

"Oh. Yea, Jax I'm sorry for waking you up it was just a nightmare, I have them from time to time." I look at him, and notice the worry lines on his face and I just want to take my hand and smooth them out but I don't, my hands stay firmly in place.

"Do you want to talk about it? I'm a good listener if you feel comfortable." Shaking my head, that's the last thing I need. "I don't think that is a good idea right now Jax, maybe another time?" He sighs but gives me a small smile. "Ok but if you need me remember I am right next door, I'll be able to hear you call." He starts to walk out the door and I do something I never thought I would do again.

"Hey jax...D-do you think you could stay with me tonight... for just a little." I could curse myself, for making my voice so vulnerable. He looks unsure and I'm about to tell him not to worry about it when he closes the door and walks over to the bed. "Come on butterfly let's get some sleep." I roll over looking out the window as I feel him pull me close and wrap his arm around my stomach. "Sleep tight my butterfly."

"Goodnight Jax."

Waking up the next morning, the light from the window beams in. I start to stretch when I freeze and the night before hits me. I had a nightmare, I was screaming,

Jax came into the room to check on me...

Jax slept beside me...

I asked him to stay, fuck how could I be so stupid.

I slowly turn my head and take a deep breath. He must have left sometime after I fell asleep. Getting up I use the bathroom and finger brush my hair while I turn to his door, I knock but I don't hear anything on the other side. Deciding to leave it I head down the stairs, trying to find the kitchen, maybe he already woke up. I don't remember seeing a kitchen last night so I make a few turns and finally find it. I turn the corner and see Jax standing at the stove, I'm assuming he's making breakfast.

Right next to him is a fresh pot of coffee and I Slightly get giddy. I walk over to the pot and Jax turns around. "Oh, good morning I didn't hear you come down." His eyes take in his shirt that swallows my body whole. He clears his throat before turning back to the food on the stove. I don't know why but I love getting reactions out of him.

"Good morning, I hope you had a better sleep after last night, I'm sorry again by the way." He smiles wide. "There's nothing to be sorry about Em and I slept good actually." Smiling back at him with flushed cheeks I turn looking at the coffee once more. Besides the nightmare, I slept better with Jax. The warmth of his hard body behind mine was like heaven. "Would you like some, you're welcome to anything here." My head jerks back from my day dreaming. God to feel those hands on me.

"Oh, yes thank you, I have my coffee every morning, I don't think I could function without it anymore." Making a fresh cup we sit in comfortable silence until I'm about finished and I hear him clear his throat. "So, I was thinking if you want you can take a few days off from the shop. I mean I can fill in for you or I can have Dean do a few if you're comfortable with it that is."

He scratches the back of his neck and looks at me so intently. Does he want me to take a few days off? I mean I'm ok with working. To be honest it will keep my mind busy.

"Actually, I think working would be best for me. Just do my normal routine." He rests his hands on the edge of the counter and looks down for a second. "OK but give me your phone just in case you need anything you can call my personal number." Pulling my phone out I hand it to him and our hands lightly touch, nothing but goosebumps fill my arms and I pull back in shock. Hoping he didn't notice I down the rest of my coffee as he hands my phone back over.

"Ok all done, let me take you home so you can rest for tomorrow." Nodding my head in a "yes" motion we heading out.

As soon as we pull up, I hop out but Jax stops me before I could get too far. He walks around the front of his car, meeting me half way and grabs my face in his hands. My eyes focus on his. They darken when I wet my dry lips. "Ember, you have my number use it ok?" I nod my head, sending him a thankful smile as his thumbs glide over my cheeks. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was about to kiss me. I will myself to not think about it. We have gotten closer than I originally wanted to and I can tell Jackson would break me.

His hands drop and he shoves them in his pants pockets as he tilts his head to my front door.

After Jax left I hand a strong urge to take another shower to try and rid of anything bad from my body. After I had all of the events running in my head. Shaking them off I deiced too just binge some shows and stay in the rest of the day.