For the Love of my Fang

Staying Home

CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN - STAYING HOME

    Deciding it was best not to tell Erick that my brother worked for him, I pushed the thought aside as we sat together on the bed,  watching  an action movie.

    “Popcorn?” he asked, offering me the bag as he continued to watch the TV.

    Smiling, I reached for some.  Michael had never done anything I wanted.  Much less something as silly as staying home to see a movie.

    “Thank you Erick.”  I whispered.

    “Your welcome.” he said pulling the bag of popcorn back to his lap.

    “Not for the popcorn.” I stated laughing.

    “Then for what?” he asked confused, looking at me.

    “For befriending me.  It’s been so long since I had a friend.”

    “Your welcome.” he stated smiling at me, as he placed a hand around my shoulders to bring me closer to him.

    Resting against him, I felt at home.  Peace.  “Thank you.” I repeated, stretching so that I could reach his cheek for a kiss.

    But the moment I was about to do so, he turned, our lips surprisingly making contact.  No matter how quick the contact was, sending electricity through out my body.

    “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to.” I quickly apologized, moving away from him.

    “Melanie, there’s nothing to be sorry about.” he quickly stated, watching me with surprise. 

    “I’m sorry.” I repeated, holding back my tears.

    “Melanie what’s wrong?” he asked concerned, placing the bag of popcorn down as he moved closer to me.

    “Nothing.”

    “Melanie?” he asked, taking my hands in his.

    How could I tell him , that I’d just realized, that by him bringing me here, to his home, he had indeed saved me from my own self.   Right now, I would had been somewhere in Hawaii, in the hands of a monster. 

    “Is just that I wish things were different.” I confessed, unable to look him in the eyes.  “I wish I had met you before I’d met Michael.  Before all the bad things that have happened to me.”

    “But Melanie…”

    “I’m damaged.  Can’t you see?  You deserve someone so much better.  Someone who…”

    “Shhh.” Erick said, placing two fingers over my lips.  “I don’t want to hear this.  You are my mate.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I’ve waited for you an entire lifetime.  What makes you think that I can’t wait for you a little longer?  I understand that your life with Michael was a living hell.  I am a patient man.  I will give us the time you need to know me better.  To prove to you that I wont turn into Michael.”

'    Speechless, I stared at Erick.  Trying not to cry at his beautiful words.

    That night we slept together on the bed.  Erick hugging me all night long.