Naked Plans

Chapter 11

Firstly I am sorry for disappearing this week and not updating. It's been a difficult week and neither my head nor my heart have been in writing. I am however, now back and plan on making up for my break.

Arizona's POV
I'm sitting here holding Eliza tightly. In the stair well where she could have got seriously hurt. She could have died even. Eliza hasn't said anything, nothing at all. Not one word. She's just letting me hold her. Letting me comfort her. At the moment. I can't believe what just happened. I don't even know how anyone knew she was in trouble. Everyone here is still very sceptical of her, yet someone felt the need to raise the alarm. Someone felt the need to do the right thing for this woman, my girlfriend.

I don't want to break the silence. It's comfortable. After the events of earlier today, it feels so right. But I need to know what's going on in Eliza's mind. I need to know how she's feeling, what she's thinking. I need to know she's ok. Just as I'm about to open my mouth to ask if she's ok, a police officer appears in the stairwell. Pulling Eliza from whatever is happening in her thoughts. He sighs heavily before he says what he needs to.

"Ma'am, we cant seem to locate the perpetrator. Please could you come with us to the precinct and give a statement?" I just watch my girlfriend. She nods uncertainly. Honestly, I don't think she really knows what she's feeling at the moment, even if I was to ask her. So I'll wait, instead I'll just be here for her, if she wants me to be anyway.

Standing, Eliza releases herself from my grip, she starts down the stairs to the police officer. I reach out and hold her hand, "Do you want me to come with you?" I ask her, a hint of hope in my voice. I don't want to be anywhere but with my girlfriend right now. I want to make sure she is safe. The look on her face answers the question for me.

"I just want to be alone, I need some time." She replies, giving my hand a light squeeze before releasing it and continuing down the stairs. Leaving me sat on the top step, alone.

Eliza's POV
I just walked away from Arizona for the second time today. I don't even know why this time. She was trying to be supportive, to comfort me. And she was doing a good job, I instantly relaxed into her embrace. But then she offered to come with me to the station. We haven't even spoken about my past. I've kept it completely hidden. All she knows is that I was married. I haven't given her details of the divorce or the pain I went through with Teresa. I'm not even ready to share that yet, not ready to talk about it with a woman I could easily fall in love with. So I walked away.

I did what I do best. Things get hard in my personal life and I run. I walk away. Not work, I can handle that, but at home. At home, I run. Not always soon enough either. I want nothing more than to let Arizona in. But how? How do you change the habit of a lifetime? How do you let someone you love in on the hardest experiences of your life?

Sitting in the cop car, I wish I'd accepted Arizona's offer to come with me. I whip my phone out and type out a message to her.

I wish you could be here with me. E xx

I know she's going to read that and think what the hell. I mean she asked if I wanted her with me and I said no. I could have her here with me now, instead I pushed her away. Feeling my phone vibrate in my hand, it drags me from my self loathing. My girlfriend replying to me.

I could be. If you let me. A xx

Come with me? E xx

I text her back, hoping it's not too late. Hoping she can get to me before the officers finish their conversation outside and are ready to take me to the precinct.

2 minutes. I'll be there. A xx

I smile, my girlfriend is amazing. I keep her at arms length and push her away and still she wants to be here for me. She really is an amazing woman. A caring and loving woman. That I would do anything for. And if that means I have to open up about my past, learn not to run. I will. For her.

Just as the officers turn to get in the car, I see my amazing woman walking towards the car. The sight of Arizona makes me smile. Probably for the first time today.

Catching my gaze as she greets the officers, explaining to them that she's coming with me. Arizona gives me a reassuring smile. She opens the car door, climbing in with pure elegance.

My girlfriend leans over towards me. Places her hand on my knee and kisses my cheek. Then she opens her beautiful mouth and says "Hi."

"Hi yourself." I greet back, a stupid smile plastered on my face. For the first time today, I feel at peace. I feel calm. Relaxed.

"I'm sorry you went through that today." She says, sadness all over her voice.

"Babe, don't apologise for her. Please. I'm the one that owes you an apology." Thinking back to this morning and my behaviour. The way I walked out, like a petulant child, sulking because I felt like my girlfriend had had enough of me.

"What for?" She asks me. An innocent look on her face. She knows exactly what for, she just wants me to say it. I roll my eyes playfully. Taking her hand in mine.

"I'm sorry I got stroppy this morning over a miss understanding. It was a miss understanding right?" I ask, just to be sure. Just to make sure I was being paranoid, rather than actually seeing the truth. This time Arizona rolls her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Yes, it was a miss understanding. I was going to ask you to stay with me again tonight. I was worried you might be fed up of me though, that's why I hesitated." Arizona looks down, her face full of insecurity. Biting down gently on her bottom lip. I lift my girlfriend chin carefully with two fingers, bringing our eyes level, before meeting her lips with mine.

It's been entirely too long since I kissed this beautiful woman. I can't get enough of the feel of her mouth on mine. And apparently she can't get enough either. Arizona bites down on my bottom lip, causing me to moan. I open my mouth a little, her tongue instantly intruding. A well come intrusion.

Suddenly I hear someone clear their throat, remembering where I am, I place one more chaste kiss on Arizona's lips before pulling away. Things had got a little heated, both of us needing to make up for today. Needing to feel each other's bare skin. I'm breathing heavily, Arizona is too. Her eyes are dark. She's going to have to wait a little though, as much as I'd love to solve everything right now, we're in a police car. And I don't fancy getting arrested myself just now.