Bloom

Chapter-25

Zayn

It's Wednesday morning, I ring the bell at Stella's door. My palms itch at the prospect of seeing her after the night at the club, sweat trickles down my nape. It was a fucking prick move to have punched that guy, he was just some random douchey kid but seeing Stella almost on the verge of tears because I hit him made me regret it. I hated the way she winced, thinking I would hurt her. I would never in my life do that, not even in death, I couldn't stand the fucking thought, it was revolting as fuck.

This girl that I want to protect, I could never physically put her in jeopardy. Ever. Her dad had done that enough and silly as it is I want to reverse it. I want to shout at the universe for being so fucking unfair. I want help her through it, I want to grieve with her and heal with her. Even though this protectiveness drives me fucking nuts and was the reason for the scene at the club. It still gave reassurance and a warm feeling in my chest, like I had someone for myself.

When the door does not open in a few minutes, my clammy hands push the bell-button again. Seconds later, Stella comes shuffling at the door. Opening it slightly to get a glimpse of who was standing there before fully swinging it open.

Stella's small frame stands in front of me, wrapped in a towel. A fucking piece of cloth separating her body from mine, clinging to her tightly. Jesus. She looks so hot with a bun on the top of her head and her breasts pushing through the edge of the white material, leaving very little for imagination. My eyes rake down and her legs are on full display, long and smooth. Small dots of water line every inch of her exposed skin, confirming that she just got of the shower. I would be lying if it did not make me want to take her right there, tear the fucking cloth of her wet body.

Stella looks at me checking her out but her face does not give away anything. Whether she was excited or unhappy to see me, I have no fucking clue, she remains neutral, putting on a straight face.

A throat clears itself, pulling me from my trance. I look at Stella and pass her a smirk which she does not return. "Come in." She gestures towards the living room before huffing out a breath, "I'll be a minute." I nod.

She trots ahead of me while I move around the sofa, eyeing her ass as she disappears into her room. What a fucking sight. Just a little shadow of a curve peeked through the back of the towel and it was enough to drive me nuts.

Minutes later she returns in jeans and a T-shirt, looking mundane but pretty as ever. There was nothing Stella could carry and not look good in. "I'm ready. Are you ready?" Her hands clasp and unclasp together in front of her, she breathing frantic. Who was she kidding? She wasn't ready.

"Yes. Are you?" I scrunch my brows at her and she looks really fucking anxious.

"Yeah." But her yeah is not convincing enough, dread and uncertainty line it.

"Come here." I pat on the spot next to me on the sofa. She shrugs and slowly makes her way to the seat, fitting her ass beside me, not arguing or asking me why. Her proximity clouds me with her scent, which I have come to realise is my favourite scent in the world.

I take her closet palm in mine, rubbing it, pressing it gently. A shiver follows. Then my hand trails to her wrist, circling and rubbing it. Heat generates on that particular area and her pulse quickens under my hold but I don't let that stop me, I soothe her tension till her pulse calms before moving higher, taking her arms, then her biceps. Massaging my way to her shoulders as I relieve all the stress from her body, earning a few moans and groans from her tense body now relaxing.

My touch is not arousing or sexual in any way, it only calms her, makes her breathing even. She flutters her eyes shut, letting everything go as I move on to the other arm. Then slowly back to her shoulder and her neck, she shivers again but moans as I press the spot connecting her neck to her spine. Then rubbing a few spots and pressure points on her back.