Protection

Chapter 9.

On arrival back to the house after the torture of having to be away from Birmingham, the first thing I did was ring Rob.

"On my way Haines," he said quickly before hanging up on me. I pondered what our relationship was. Are we in a relationship? Or this just a friendship. With some kissing. And a little groping.

I didn't want to seem weird or needy by asking Rob, so when he arrived I didn't press the matter. All that mattered was that I had him back and I was in his arms again.

"Haines," He started.

"Mmhmm." I murmured, too relaxed and happy to bother.

"You know I love you don't you." His hand traced little circles on the back of my ear. I tensed up. I was laid on his chest with his arms around me. There was no escape.

"Yeeeeees." I said, unsure of where he was going with this.

"Just checking," he said with a wink. I rolled over. This was clearly about something else, not that I knew what.

"Rob," I started.

He looked down expectantly.

"What do you want?" I asked innocently. His eyes darkened with lust. He took my face in his hands.

"Three months is a pretty long time for a guy, Haines." He said boring deep into my eyes.

"Three months wit-" He crushed my lips with his with an uncontrollable passion. This was a new Robert, an firey, almost animalistic Robert. This was a Robert I'd never experienced before.

I pulled myself up a little so that I was lying on top of him. The warmth of his skin made me melt to a jelly-like substance. The fire of his mouth on mine seared through my body, scorching every cell with warmth and passion and lust.

He rolled over on top of me. I could feel every inch of his hard, toned body. It felt so right to be there with Rob.

"Rosa," he whispered against my lips.

"Don't talk," I said. "Just stay here with me. Fuck it, stay all night if you want. Just stay Rob. I need you."

He took off my clothes tenderly, lovingly. I knew it was right. I felt no objection as he dragged me, naked, back to my bed. We didn't speak. We sighed together like willow trees in the wind. Everything I did, every fractional movement I made, Rob responded with sensitivety and care.It was amazing. It was everything my first experience was not.

I lay back against Rob's chest panting and tired.

"Rob that was so amazing I-"

He put a finger to my lips. He was still out of breath and I could feel his chest heave up and down below my head.

"You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that to you." He whispered huskily, twirling a lock of my hair between his fingers as he is wonton to do.

Oh believe me, the feeling is mutual honey.

"When I saw you stood behind me in HMV you literally took my breath away. You're so fucking beautiful. I literally wanted you right there right then. Maybe even when I picked you up, crumpled and broken in that alley-"

Even when I picked you up, in that alley. Oh my god. It was Rob. Rob was the angel. Rob was the one who ensured my safe delivery to the Police Station. Rob was the one who sent the anonymous bouquet.

But why didn't he say.

" Rob hang on a minute. Why didn't you tell me? About being the angel I mean. No, Imean picking me up after I was, you know."

He stopped still for a minute, thinking over how to phrase the reply.

"Well how could I Rosa? You would have pushed me away, just like you did with your mum, your friends, the boys at school. I saw them stare after you like little puppy dogs. But they couldn't have you. I need you Rosa. I couldn't have let you push me away. You're my reason for existence, and quite frankly if you hadn't saved me I doubt I'd still be in this shithole city. I love you, and I need you to love me too." He looked at me with pleading eyes.

Tears rolled like waterfalls from my sore orbs. How could this man lie here, in all of his godly perfection, and speak of such adulation and love. He had nothing to care for. He saved me and I couldn't survive without him. So many times had the vision of his face stopped me from killing myself. He had taken away my fear and replaced it with such happiness.

And yet he lay there. Broken and bare, pouring his soul onto a humble school girl. Not worthy even to eat the crumbs from under your table.

"I-Rob- I love you so- so - much I-"

He buried me into his chest. He whispered sweet profanities into my hair as we lay there, something so desolate of emotion when seperate but so full of compassion when together. A marriage of two hearts so damaged, that only the companionship of the other could redeem them.

"Rosa, my darling, my love.." He mumbled into my hair. I clung to him like he was my life support.

And I suppose in a way he was.

My mum called that night.

"Hey honey."

"Hey Mum."

"Are you okay? You sound like you've been crying."

"No I'm fine. Where are you?"

"Me, Hugh and Tristan have gone to stay with Aunty Helen. You can get the train here if you like, or you can have a few days without us nagging at you?"

"I think I'll stay here Mum, I'm gonna have have a few days chilling out."

"Okay, well if you change your mind text me. Love you!"

"love you too Mum."

Then she hung up.