Second chances [Complete, 18+]

Chapter XIV

CHAPTER XIV

"Uhh!" She screamed in frustration and threw her mobile down onto the front step.

"What's wrong?" He asked as if he had just been casually walking by.

Her head snapped up and her mouth dropped open for a second before she recovered her senses. "What are you doing here? Sorry that was rude." She added in a rush.

"No worries, just going for a walk...you know getting to know the area..." he said trailing off, as she blatantly saw through his excuse with a smile.

"Of course."

"Bad news?" He asked, tentatively stepping up the path to stop at the steps she was currently sat on.

"Shelly's died for good," she said with a sigh, staring forlornly towards the road.

"Oh I'm so sorry, were you close?" He asked, as he fought the urge to just pull her into her arms for comfort. He was shocked though when she burst into laughter having looked at his concerned face.

"No, nothing like that. Shelly's my car. That was the mechanic and they said it was a no go for recovery." She said, shrugging her shoulders. She was a crappy car but she'd gotten them where they needed to go - well most of the time - she thought. The scrapping payment was only a pittance and would hardly contribute to a replacement. She'd been so lost in her thoughts that she jumped when a hand squeezed her shoulder. Her heart accelerated rapidly and then started to settle again when she realised who it was. Neither of them said anything and it should have been awkward but it wasn't. If anything she fought from dropping her head onto his neighbouring shoulder. As it was his side pressed against hers and his arm seemed to radiate heat against her shoulders. His hand was alternating between softly squeezing and caressing her skin. It was comforting and her worries soon began to settle to the back of her mind.

He watched - discreetly from the side - as her eyes slowly closed and her furrowed brow started to smooth out. She sighed softly and it dragged his attention briefly away from the patch of skin under his fingers. Overjoyed in her apparent trust in him, he focused on remaining calm as if touching her like this wasn't the highlight of his day, week or year. Her skin was soft and smooth as his fingers comforted his mate. The halter top had given him clothes free access to her shoulder and clearly defined his mark. It was calling out to him to touch but he kept well away terrified of what her and his own reaction would be. Visions of how sensitive the mark had been cluttered his mind and he shifted positions to hide the fact he'd grown hard. Her head had drooped closer on several occasions but each time she recovered herself before it landed against him. There was obviously something stopping her and he knew that now wasn't the time to push. Heck he'd thought he'd gone too far already when he'd unconsciously put his arm around her and she'd jumped a mile. So as much as he wanted her, for now he was content to just bask in the feel of her pressed against him. Let her make the next move. The next sound. The next breath even.

***

Dylan ran out the door, his swimming bag banging against his back, before she could even tell him to wait. He didn't even look slightly sorry as Eva tried to tell him off, he just looked too excited as he hopped between each foot. Sighing in exasperation she looked at Nate to greet him and found his eyes betraying his silent chuckle. Rolling her eyes, she thanked him as he opened the back seat door. Dylan was already scrambling into his seat and she turned to strap him in. She fumbled slightly with the final buckle as she felt herself warm under Nate's gaze. The click sounded loud in her ears and tugging it to check she stepped back satisfied he was safe. However, when she stepped back she stepped right into Nate. For a moment, his hands rested against her waist and seemed to burn right through the material. She could feel him breathing against her hair and she could have sworn that he whispered something but it was too low to hear. She didn't have time to question him though as he moved away swiftly leaving her back oddly cold. Ducking her head low, she slipped in the proffered door and mumbled her thanks. The door was shut closed behind her and she let out a shaky breath as Nate went around to sit in the driver's seat. It had certainly taken some getting used to having doors opened for her and she still felt awfully guilty for letting him drive them around. But he was having none of it when she'd first refused his offer and again after multiple lifts. He'd said he enjoyed it and he certainly didn't let on that it was a hassle but she couldn't help how she felt. It didn't help that both Dylan - and unfortunately herself - had become attached to the fellow who was just putting the car into gear. He was wearing short sleeves yet again and through the corner of her eye she couldn't help but admire the way his muscles flexed under his tanned skin with the driving adjustments. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she looked out the window at the dreary weather that didn't seem to affect him at all. Lost in thought, she was jolted when a hand landed on her thigh. Head whipping around she caught his hesitant smile and couldn't help but smile in return. the warmth of his hands seemed to sink deeper - sending tendrils out in all directions. She looked away as the thought of what his hands on her bare skin would be like.