Misconception

2: Good Night Kisses

Clementine's POV

I jolt up from my bed in a cold sweat. I hate how I have so many nightmares. Ever since I was little I would go in Vinny's room and he would comfort me as I fell asleep. I swing my legs off the bed and place them on the cold floor, shivering as I do so. I wake my phone up on my nightstand to check the time and as I do so the bright screen illuminates my bedroom. It's 11 PM. I tiptoe over to my door and open it, hearing the TV and soft conversation coming from downstairs. I hate to annoy Vinny, but this nightmare was so vivid. I was being chased by a man so tall it was almost impossible to run away from him. As I walk down the stairs I see the back of two people's heads sitting on the couch, they appear to belong to Ryan and Ricky. I decide to check the kitchen for Vinny, but as I turn I run into someone. Startled, I let out a quiet gasp as I take a step back, seeing Chris was the person I ran into. As I look up at him images from my nightmare flood back into my head. Chris was the man chasing me.

"How did you sleep little Clementine?"

Chris asks as he eyes me up and down, looking at me like I'm something to eat. Unable to form words, I stutter,

"I... Um..."

I slowly start to back up towards the stairs, wanting to run away from Chris when I suddenly back into someone.

"Is there a problem here?"

I hear Vinny's voice from behind me. I relax a little as he places his large warm hands on my shoulders.

"Nope"

Chris says, and walks into the living room. Vinny spins me around.

"What's wrong princess?"

Vinny asks, leaning down to look into my eyes.

"I had a nightmare so I came looking for you..."

I admit, looking down at my toes.

"Aw I'm sorry baby, I was in the bathroom, what happened?"

Vinny asks, his knuckles caressing my cheek.

"It was about Chris."

I say, lowering my voice to a whisper. Vinny chews on his lip.

"You can sleep with me the rest of the night, sound good love?"

Vinny asks, tilting my head up by my chin to look at him. I bite my lip as I nod happily. Vinny turns to look at the guys in the living room.

"Hey guys, I'm gonna call it a night. Feel free to stay as long as you like though, but I should mention my parents are coming home around 1."

Vinny says to the three guys sitting in the living room.

"Alright, thanks mate."

Ryan replies to Vinny.

"Good night you guys."

Ricky says to Vinny and I.

"Don't dream about me too much, little Clementine."

Chris says to me with a demonic grin plastered on his face, oblivious to the fact that I actually had a nightmare about him. I can feel a shiver run down my spine. Vinny glares at Chris before turning to the stairs, my hand in his.

"Good night guys."

Vinny says as he drags me up the stairs again tonight. He leads me to his bedroom which is directly across from mine. As we walk in, a feeling of calm washes over me. Vinny's room has always been my safe place. Vinny shuts the door as I sit on his bed, my feet dangling off.

"What did Chris do to you in your dream, little one?"

Vinny asks as he kneels down in front of me, taking my small hands in his.

"He was chasing after me. I felt like with every step I took I couldn't get away from him..."

I tell Vinny as I look down at my palms in my lap. Vinny cups my cheek in his large hand.

"I'd never let Chris do anything to you, do you understand kitten?"

He says, staring deep into my eyes with his beautiful dark blue ones. I nod my head.

"I understand, Vinny."

I say, sitting on my hands.

"Let's go to bed, little girl."

Vinny says while standing up from his kneeled down position, pressing off my knees to help himself up. I crawl over to the side of the bed that's nearest to the wall and slip under the covers. Vinny reaches to take his shirt off but he hesitantly brings his hands back down.

"Do you mind if I take my shirt and pants off, baby?"

He asks, looking at me. I shake my head no.

"That's how you've always slept."

I remind him. Vinny chuckles as he slips his shirt off over his head. Out of nowhere my stomach fills with butterflies. I can feel a blush creep up my cheeks as Vinny begins undoing his belt. The skin that was hiding beneath his shirt looks so soft and smooth and for some reason I'm so fascinated with the veins in his arms. I'm pulled out of my trance when I hear Vinny's belt hit the floor. I blush a deep red when he catches me staring and I duck underneath his covers. I squeeze my eyes shut as I feel Vinny get into the bed beside me.

"I wanna cuddle!"

Vinny says as I feel his hands on my waist, pulling me closer to him. When I'm next to him with his arm around me he notices my blush.

"What's the matter little girl?"

He asks, pushing some of my black hair out of my face. I bite my lip and blush even more, shivering as my body welcomes his body heat.

"You look so cute when you bite your lip like that. Now, tell me what's bothering you."

He says as he runs his thumb across my lower lip. I prop myself up on my elbows as I lay on my stomach, facing him.

"I-I just think you look nice's all..."

I admit. A small smile plays on Vinny's lips.

"Thank you baby girl."

Vinny says, twirling a strand of my hair around his index finger.

"Can I get a good night kiss?"

I ask, tapping my cheek with my pointer finger. Vinny props himself up on his elbows, subtracting space between us.

"Only if I get one back."

He says. I smile and nod my head. I close my eyes as he plants a kiss on my cheek, familiar butterflies coming back.

"My turn."

He says, laying back down. I shut my eyes as I plant a gentle kiss on his warm cheek. As I lay down beside him, I rest my head on his chest, drawing shapes on the smooth skin of his ribs with my finger. Vinny lets out a sigh and says,

"I love you little one."

"I love you too Vinny."

I reply before falling asleep in his strong arms.