Oakley [ON HOLD]

23

His body radiates heat as he sits beside me, one leg on each side of the table bench so he's directly facing me. My bodies slightly turned to the side as he grasps my right hand, his thumb skimming back and forth over my skin soothingly.

My gaze once again focuses downward, unable to stand looking into his eyes any longer than I had before.

"Hey" he whispers to grab my attention as his fingers spread mine and entangle our hands together.

His skins so gentle... so safe.

Suddenly I'm lost in my thoughts again, my mind running back to when we kissed in the hospital, how it felt so right and easy.

But then how it also felt after he found out what happened with Donna. How I told him to go. Why I needed him to go.

I cleared my throat lightly as I tore my hand from his, not unnoticing how his fingers seemed to slightly tighten, trying to hold me to him longer.

My fingers played with my sleeve in my lap as I saw his head nod lightly with a sad expression splayed across his features.

"I know what its like...to some extent I mean." he says lightly as he tries to find my gaze.

My brows furrow at his words, confused as to what he's referring to as I lift my eyes, finally meeting his.

His hazel orbs pool with a pleading gaze. To hear him out, to let him explain, and for me to listen.

"What what's like?" I question.

"The publicity"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you involved. I didn't think they'd do something already so I understand you bringing it up, just let me know what company and I'll tell Donna and Reed and see what they can do to ma-"

"Oakley" he murmurs amusedly, seemingly cutting off my worrisome rant.

I cant believe the press has already wrote about him, all of this was to protect him and I couldn't even do that.

His hand reaches for mine again, securing my hold in his comforting grip.

"I'm sorry" I whisper as I look down ashamed, my teeth digging into my bottom lip. How could I have let this happen, how could I have let him be dragged into this.

"hey" he coo's as his leg swings over the bench, and he kneels in front of me.

"None of this is your fault, ok? I've already had run in's with the press back in D.C" he says catching my attention as my eyes confusedly find his.

Back in D.C?

Reading my expression, he smiles comfortingly.

"My Father, he owns a large well known company and because of that my whole family is followed by the press.... of course its not to the extent of what I've seen they've done with everything related to you but I wanted you to know that I know what it's like.