Save Me

Chapter 23

Jared unlocked the door, pushing it open, "You first."

His eyes were warm and he seemed happy. I was too but for some reason my nerves started to creep in. I had been in his room before but for some reason now was so different. I kind of stood there watching him as he followed behind me, unsure what to do.

"I'll let you unpack while I order our dinner." Jared said, walking past me, assuming I'd follow him, into the bedroom.

Lifting my suitcase onto the bed, he unzipped it then pulled it open.

"Okay, thank you."

"All these drawers are empty if you want to put your stuff in them." he explained, pointing to the set of empty drawers, "When you're done, come into the living room."

"It won't take me long." I assured him.

"Take your time, we aren't in any rush." he said, kissing my cheek.

I smiled at his sweetness, my arm wrapping around his waist, "Okay, thank you."

Since it was only a night that I'd be here, I didn't unpack much. I've traveled a lot and found it's usually easier to literally live out of your suitcase than it is to constantly unpack then repack if you aren't staying long. The exception to that was my toiletries. Those came out no matter what.

Pulling my toiletries bag out, I brought my things into the bathroom. Just like Jared's dressing room, his bedroom and especially his bathroom were no different. Very, very messy.   Despite there being two sinks, his things were spread across the counter. There didn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to it so to make room for myself, I organized him. Hopefully he didn't mind. When I was done, I freshened up a bit then walked out of the bedroom to meet Jared in the living room.

Jared was sitting on the couch with his computer working as I watched him from the doorway. I had so many mixed feelings that I knew it was going to be a constant battle to keep myself from getting in my head too much. I wanted to just go with the flow and enjoy this for whatever it was but I was still scared. He was so intoxicating, even more so now and I just wanted to keep enough perspective so that I didn't end up hurt when it was inevitable over.

"Don't just stand there and watch me. Come sit with me, Vivie."

His voice making me physically jump as he interrupted my thoughts. How fucking embarrassing. He knew I was standing there watching him, my GOD. It's starting to seem impossible for me to not look like an idiot in front of him.

I didn't even know what to say. When he realized I was still rooted in place, he turned towards me, seemingly concerned and stretched out his hand motioning me to come to him.

"You can't possibly be afraid of me now, can you?" He laughed.

'Be brave and stop being an idiot, Vivie.'

"No, of course not." I said as confident sounding as I could, "I just didn't want to interrupt you while you were working."

There, that didn't sound stupid. Phew!

Taking a breath, I walked over to him as he pushed the computer he was working on off his lap onto the couch on the other side of him. Just as I was about to sit down, he leaned over, grabbing my hand and pulled me to sit on his lap.

"No need to be so far away, Vivie." He whispered, pushing a lock of hair off my shoulder then using that same hand to cup my cheek gently guiding my lips to his.

Jared's arm slipped around my waist while mine did the same as we kissed. It felt so good to be in his arms. To be held.

"Dinner should be here soon so I thought we'd eat then afterwards take a walk. Maybe go to the lakeshore, we're only a few blocks away."