Broken Protector

Chapter 21; I missed you

After the grande sobbing fiasco, I succeeded in sleeping for two more hours before waking at six in the morning. I was surrounded by warmth which confused because there was no blanket over me.

But there were strong arms around my waist. Terror filled me as bile rose in my throat. I screamed, twisting away from the person sharing my bed. I fell off the bed and backed up until my back was against the opposite wall.

I choke on a sob at the head that pops up. "Baby, what's wrong? Why are you on the floor?" Ryder asks, gazing at me in confusion. My hands covered my mouth before I scramble to my feet and rocket towards him.

Sobbing, I jump into his arms, and bury my head in his neck while taking deep, shuttering breaths. "Ryder! You're here!" I breathed/choked. He held onto me tightly, "Of course I am, princess," he whispers, "I couldn't stay away any longer." His nose nuzzles my neck before inhaling sharply.

I pulled back to gaze upon his face, smiling widely in joy. "I love you," I whisper, leaning in. Ryder didn't hesitate a second, his lips crashing down onto mine immediately. My eyes squeeze shut and I knew I couldn't ever be close enough to him. I could Ryder was holding back by the fact that his hands were squeezing my hips roughly as I clung to him.

Pulling back the ever slightest, I whispered, "Damnit, Ryder, kiss me!" And so he did.

Ryder practically attacks me, pinning me swiftly to bed as his lips roughly move against mine. His hands pinned mine to the bed beside me while he straddled my legs, successfully keeping me against the bed.

He changes position, putting my wrists together and holding them in one hand above my head, Ryder dips his head into my neck. His other hand was rubbing small circles where my shirt had risen up on my hip. I lay there, gasping, as he lays kisses long my neck and shoulder bones.

It didn't take long before Ryder had moved back and released me. "We need to stop before i do something drastic," he gasps, laying back down beside me. Longing for his arms around me, I crawled upon him and buried my head in his chest.

"I missed you," he whispers, tracing his fingers up my spine with his other hand wrapped around me. I hum in response, "I missed you too, Ryder, a lot." I lift my head and rest my chin on his chest to look up at him.

Gnawing on my bottom lip, I peek up through my eyelashes. Ryder's eyes flicker down to my lips than back up to my eyes, "You are too damn innocent," he growls. He trails a finger down the side of my face, stopping at the edge of my bruise.

"And you're all mine," he chuckles when my breath hitches. I turn my face into his hand that was cupping my cheek.

"You're not leaving again are you?" I ask quietly, laying my head back down on his chest. He runs a and gently through my hair, "No, I'm here to stay."

_____________________________________________

I shot up from my bed gasping. Looking around frantically, I realized it was all just a dream and that Ryder wasn't really here. Groaning, I buried my head in my pillow and let out a scream.

When I was done screaming in frustration, I sit up and climb out of bed. I could see snow falling and sticking to the ground when I looked out the window. It was like a scene out of a storybook or maybe a movie. The moon and stars were shining brightly in the night sky and the streets were lit with Christmas lights and the snow seemed to brighten everything up.

A single tear falls when I remembered that today was Christmas Eve and that, me and Ryder may not get to spend Christmas together.

My hand presses against the window and I let out a quiet sigh. That's life I suppose.

I jump slightly when my laptop beeped, telling me I had a email. Confused, I sit down on my window seat, laptop in my lap, and click on my latest email.

From: RyderKing@gmail.com

To: KeevaRose@gmail.com

Dear princess,
I don't know if you're awake yet, my love, but I have a feeling that you are and reading this right now. I can almost see you smiling in amusement while wiping away the fresh tears of your latest nightmare. Am I right? I am, aren't I? And now you're cursing you arrogant bastard of a boyfriend that you love with all your heart. Oh, stop frowning, princess, you know I love you. Don't ever doubt that. Anyway, happy Christmas Eve and yes, before you ask, I will be there for Christmas. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I love you too much for that. Call when you wake if you're awake when you get this. I need to hear your voice desperately.
         ~Ryder

I immediately grab my phone and dialed Ryder's number. Three rings later, he picks up and his voice fills my ear. I sigh in content, "Ryder?"

I hear a sleepy groan, "Princess, that you?" I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "Yes," I say softly, leaning against the wall as I stare out the window. "I miss you so much, Princess. Can't even explain how much," he complains.

I giggle, "I miss you too. And yes, you were right about me being awake. Only it wasn't a nightmare," I tell him, tracing patterns on the window. I hear him chuckle, "You dreamt about me than?" I blushed at his amused tone and teasing words.

"Yes. You had came back but than I wake up and realize it was a dream," I whispered. Ryder inhales sharply on the other end. "And it felt so real," I added softly. "You don't know how much I wish I was there to soothe your pain, baby," he murmurs.

I laugh quietly in response, "Yes I do, Ryder. You're always trying to take care of me," I say, "You treat as the broken shell I am but you don't tip toe around me as if you're scared I'll crack more. You slowly and carefully pull me out of my shell."

It was silent for a moment before Ryder speaks again, his voice serious and gentle still, "Because you are broken but you're also fixable. It's just no one took the time and care to stick around and see the real you, princess," he whispers, "You are beautiful and perfect."

"No one's perfect, Ryder," I cut in. He chuckles again, "Than you're the closest thing to perfect. You just need to be coaxed out of your shell." Ryder sighs, "No one deserves you, Keeva, I most definitely don't."

My chest constricts at his vulnerable tone, "Ryder, if I'm broken and still fixable than so are you," I say quietly and firmly, "I don't care what you think or say. I love you for what and who you are."

"I thought most girls dreamt of a prince charming?" He mutters. I snorted, "Screw prince charming. Give me a guy with tattoos and a big boy attitude," I said, grinning, "Oh wait, I already have him."

Ryder chuckles again, "How'd you know I have tattoos?" I leaned my head back against the wall, "One, your a bad boy so I automatically assumed it and second, I got a glimpse of one when you accidentally ripped your shirt a few weeks ago," I explained.

"Hm," he hummed thoughtfully, "I think it's time you went back to bed." I groaned in annoyance, "I can't sleep without you," I muttered. And I also didn't want to deal with another nightmare.

"What if I talk to you into you fall asleep?" He asks. I thought for a moment before sighing, "I guess that'll work." Ryder chuckles once more, "Go get in your bed, princess," he orders.

I quickly obey, snuggling deeper into my covers. Ryder than, instead of talking, starts singing to me.

Eventually, I start drifting off, the last thing I heard being Ryder's voice.