The Fighter

Chapter Thirty One

Chapter Thirty-One

My alarm clock beeped me awake, and I flailed to get it to shut off before it work Niall up. Thankfully, in the midst of my body rustling the covers and the alarm clock going off, Niall stayed asleep, his soft snores filling the room. I breathed a sigh of relief, looking down at him and noticing things that I feel I should have paid more attention to before. He had dark circles under his eyes, his skin was paled-like he was ill-and he did actually look like he’d bulked up in muscle. It was…unnerving. 

And then I was dragged down into the covers, his arms circling my waist tighter as he buried his head in my neck. I knew he was awake, and as much as I wanted to stay here and hold him, I had to get up and go train for work. “Niall…I need to go into work today.” “Mm, no you don’t.” I sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, Niall, I do.” “I’ll take care of you.” I bit back the reply I wanted to throw at him about how last night he said he’s put me in danger, and now he can take care of me? I just shook my head scooting backwards. “Niall, I need to take a shower and get dressed-” “No.” He whined, gripping my waist with his large hands. “Niall.” I warned, pushing on his chest as hard as I could. He let me go, and I tumbled off the side of the bed, taking the sheets with me. 

I squeaked when I hit the floor, and when I looked up, his big blue eyes were peering down at me over the side of the bed in amusement. I glared, and he broke out into a smile. “I’m sorry, Baby.” His morning voice was raspy and deep, probably from the tears shed last night as well. But either way, it sent shivers up and down my spine. “But please, don’t go.” He was begging me now, but I wrestled my way up, shoving the hair out of my face and breathing out a breath. “No, Niall. I need to go in to train. You can stay asleep and wait for me, but we need to…talk.” I said, nodding before I padded over to the bathroom, not giving him a second glance. 

After my shower, I ran around my empty bedroom, tugging on my good skinny jeans and searching for a nice shirt to wear. Finally I found it, pulling it over my head before I ran into the bathroom to do something with my hair and makeup. When I came back out, I made a beeline for the closet, fishing around for my heels and trying to ignore Niall. He was leaned against the doorframe, all long, lean muscle, clad in only a pair of black briefs while he shoveled in Captain Crunch. “I left some for you. Want me to fix you a bowl?” He asked, and I smiled at him, stepping into the shoes and using the bed so that I wouldn’t fall. I snatched my earring off of the wardrobe, and nodded at him, watching how his expression darkened while his eyes followed me around the room. “Yes, please.” I said, and he shoved in another spoonful before nodding and turning away. I couldn’t help but watch him walk away. 

I tried to fight the grin, but as I rounded the hallway and into the kitchen to see him fixing my cereal and coffee, it wasn’t going away. He knew I was coming, but he didn’t turn around, so I situated myself behind him and slid my hands over his chest, pressing kisses to the skin on his back. “Thank you, Baby.” I said, dragging my nails lightly over his chest and smiling as goosebumps rose over his skin. In the blink of an eye I was spun around and lifted on to the counter, my legs dangling on either side of his hips as he nudged my head to the side so that his lips could find a place on my neck. I laughed and squealed, pushing lightly on his shoulders. “I shouldn’t let you leave.” He growled, a smile on his lips. I giggled, finally breaking away from him. “And just why not?” I looked down at him, cupping his jaw in my hands lightly. “Because I want you.” He said, his eyes darting from my eyes to my lips, and then back again while his tongue traced over his plump, bottom one. “Mm, well, you can’t have me.” I said, reaching to the side of me to grab my bowl of cereal. 

He stepped back so that I could hop down, and I began to shovel in the peanut butter crunch when I caught sight of the time. Niall sipped his coffee, leaning against the counter and watching me with a bemused smirk. “Slow down, tiger.” I swallowed and dumped the bowl in the sink, reaching for my coffee and running as fast as I could in heels down the hallway. “I’m gonna be late!” I called, and set my coffee down on the table with my keys, yanking the closet open and looking for a jacket. “Bleu, you’ve got forty-five minutes, and the place is only a half hour away. You’ll be fine.” “Yeah, but I’m nervous.” I admitted, rounding on him and tugging my jacket on. He shook his head, cupping my cheeks and bringing his lips down to meet mine in an instant. I barely had time to respond before he’d pulled away, giving me a look of utter triumph. “You’ll be okay. Just go Babe.” He said, reaching over to the table and grabbing my things for me before handing them to me. “Go.” He said, opening the door. I was a bit apprehensive, but he nearly kicked me out of my own house, kissing me on my lips once more before smiling and leaning against the doorframe, watching as I made my way to my car. “Bye, Bleu!” He waved, and I nodded, sipping into my car. He didn’t go inside until I was halfway down the street.