Leather and Lace (Editing)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

I only then realized how quiet Ian is. His face still buried in my shoulder and I remember the wet droplets that had been running down my arm. Had he been crying?

I squeeze my eyes shut as the guilt hits me. It must have been hard for him to see that, it probably didn't help that I had been pretty much begging him to let me go. He must have felt so helpless.

I pause before I reluctantly grab hold of his hands and unravel them from my waist, turning around to him with worry and guilt written all over my features.

He refuses to meet my eyes at first but as soon as he does, I sigh. He has already composed himself and there is no trace of sadness or regret in his expression like I had prepared for, just concern and worry. Not even a trace of tears, maybe I had been mistaken.

"Are you okay?" he asks so quietly I almost don’t hear it.

I nod slightly, just staring into his eyes, searching for something to give away what he is hiding. There is something off but I guess I can't blame him, after what just happened, if I were him I would have been half way across town by now.

He shouldn't have to deal with any of this. I don't want to be his burden but I know that if he hadn't have been here with me, I would have gone on a mad rampage. Who knows, I might have been in a cell or worse, a gutter.

When I think about it, if I hadn't have met Ian, I would still be in that crappy house getting beaten to the point of unconsciousness, stealing drugs or shooting up with Ethan.

Back then I would have gladly welcomed death to take me away but now with Ian at my side, I feel a sense of security, like he wouldn't let anything happen to me. It might be stupid or just false hope but I'll be hanging on to it as long as I can. He makes me feel my best.

When I shake myself from my thoughts, I’m still gazing at Ian and I would have felt embarrassed for letting him catch me staring, if he hadn't have been staring with just as much interest.

Just the thought of how close we are brings back those infuriating butterflies that flutter in my stomach. My breathing hitching in my throat as I feel him lean closer and his face starts to gravitate towards mine. I sit there frozen, unable to mutter or even think a coherent sentence to protest about what was certainly about to happen. I’m not even positive I want to stop it.

My heart rate is going tenfold and it takes me I moment to react and before I know it, I’m closing the last inch that will touch our lips together. I feel them tingle in anticipation as my eyes start to slid shut.

There’s a small gasp and my eyes flutter open in shock. It takes me a moment to figure out where the noise had come from but I soon sigh and reluctantly turn my head towards the front door.

There, in a dark silky purple floor length dress, stands Ian's mother Jennifer, looking at us with wide eyes. A man that I guessed to be her husband, who I was still yet to meet, hovers just behind her. They look like they had just come from a formal wedding or something, he wears a black tux with shinny shoes and all, his greying hair even slicked back and his dark eyes are looking over the scene, mainly me, with distaste.

I cringe and looked back towards Ian for help but he just sits there with a cheeky smirk planted on his face. Was now the wrong time to point out how bloody sexy that made him look?

I shake my head and dismiss my own thoughts before coming to the conclusion that Ian will be no help in this situation what's so ever.

Slowly I stand up on unsteady feet and brush myself down lightly with my hands. I look back once more to see Ian on his feet as well and trying his best to stifle a laugh behind me.