Can You Keep A Secret?

Can You Keep A Secret? [1]

So this is my first story. :) The beginning is what's happening at present and what I write next will most likely be flashbacks of everything leading up to this point. Please read and comment! No haters. Thankssss.

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"Please don't leave me!" I whispered frantically as I felt him move slightly on the bed.

"Hey, you know I'd never leave you," he said softly, combing his fingers gently through my hair.

"Promise me you won't go anywhere." I whimpered. "I don't want to be alone."

"I'll stay with you all night. I promise," he reassured me.

He was being so sweet to me. At the beginning of the month I never would have imagined that we'd end up here like this. Hot tears stung my eyes as I looked up at this handsome young man holding me so tenderly. Rylan MacGregor. In my book, this boy was the definition of perfection. His short dark brown hair, his big grey eyes, his perfectly formed body, and that breathtaking smile all combine to make one gorgeous human being. Ever since I can remember, Rylan has been the only guy I've ever wanted. Not that I ever really thought I had a chance. But this month has changed everything. I don't know where we'll go from here. I'm just content to stay in his arms tonight. He makes me feel safe. And that's the only feeling I need right now. The sense of danger is a constant thing in my life. Ry has proved to be the answer to my prayers. When he's around... I don't know. I feel like I can say what I want. I can be myself. I don't have to pretend to be someone else. Which is what I've been doing my entire life. Up until now. With Rylan.

"Ry... I'm so sorry you got involved with this. I didn't want anybody to find out... I mean... You shouldn't have to deal with..." My broken little sobs were barely audible to my own ears, but he seemed to hear and understand me just fine.

"Hey." He whispered gently, leaning down so that his lips were pressed against my ear. "Emily, none of this is your fault. It was never your fault. Do you understand me? Nothing on earth would ever make what that bastard did to you acceptable. And I'm not sorry I got involved. I'm just sorry that I didn't realize what was going on sooner."

His arms tightened around me as he placed a small kiss on my temple. I shivered involuntarily and snuggled closer to his warmth. I heard him release a soft chuckle and smiled to myself. My heart was racing out of control and my breathing became a little more rough by the second. And all we were doing was snuggling! If that didn't show my level of inexperience... I felt his lips move slowly down my jaw and I couldn't help another small shiver. He stopped, his lips only a breath away from mine.

"Ya know..." he whispered slowly, "I've always thought you were beautiful."

My stomach did a little flip upon hearing that. Seriously? Weird. I always found myself to be rather average. Medium length dark brown hair that curls out of control unless straightened. Green eyes that are slightly too large. Small nose. Straight white teeth. Slim body. Average height. Nothing spectacular. But I couldn't think much beyond that because what he was making me feel was driving every thought quickly away from my mind. The tip of his nose was

skimming its way across my cheek. He stopped ar my hairline, inhaling the fragrance of my strawberry shampoo.

"Mmmm.. I love the way you smell," he breathed into my hair while his hand smoothed away my bangs.

His lips made their way to my forehead as I tried to concentrate on my breathing. It wasn't going so well. I let out a little gasp everytime I forgot to breathe which he found pretty amusing. I could feel his laughter against my forehead closely followed by the flaming of my cheeks.

"Don't be embarrassed," he chided. "That's the reaction I want out of you."

"Ry..." I half panted, "I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I'm not all that knowledgeable when it comes to this sort of thing."

His laughter made my face heat up again.

"Believe me cutie, I've noticed."

Great. Just great. Now he thinks I'm inept or something. I have this smokin' hot guy in my bedroom for the time being and I don't even know how or what I'm supposed to be doing or feeling. Any other girl would just jump on him and go to town! But me... wow. This is a new low...

He pulled me a little closer and I let out a small moan of pain.

"What? What happened?" he asked at once.

"Nothing.. You just squeezed my side... Where some of the bruises are. I'm fine."

"I'm sorry! I didn't realize.. wait.. bruises that still hurt?" he said suspiciously.

"No, I..." I started, but before I could finish he had my pajama shirt halfway up my stomach.

His face went rigid with anger. "Emily. These are fresh bruises. What the hell happened?!" he demanded.

I couldn't bring myself to respond. I just broke down and started sobbing. Rylan held me and whispered that he was sorry and that everything was gonna be alright. He gently rubbed my back under my shirt until I quieted. Then he laid me swiftly across his chest. I knew he was blaming himself. After this month he finally thought things had settled down. I felt guilty for not being honest with him but I think he understood my humiliation and embarrassment. He also understood my recurring fear. This problem would not go away as quickly as we both had hoped. Rylan's frustration was palpable.

Rylan sighed, long and heavy. "Just try and get some sleep," he said softly at my ear. "We'll figure this out in the morning. You're worn out. You need to get some rest." He entwined our fingers together and kissed me lightly on the forehead.

"I just wish you would have told me when it happened again. Don't ever hide it from me again Emily," he said quietly.

I couldn't do anything but nod at this point. I was sorry I hadn't told him. Ry was trying to help me and the least I could do was be completely honest with him. I laid comfortably in his arms a while longer before drifting into a mostly pleasant sleep. A loud bang followed by a crash woke me and Rylan up at the same time. I looked out my window and froze. The truck was in the driveway. This wasn't happening. He was supposed to be gone for at least five days. It had only been two.

Rylan saw the look of sheer terror on my face and rushed to my side. "What is it, Em?" he asked softly, cupping my face in his hands.

I hesitated for a moment before looking Ry straight in the eye. "It looks like Dad's home early," I said in a teary, high pitched voice.

Rylan let rip a string of profanities.