Broken | Wattys2019

Chapter 8

When I awake my attention immediately locks onto the strong arms wrapped protectively around my small frame. Without opening my eyes, I carefully roll to face him before burying my nose against his neck to breathe in his scent. It's odd really, how comfortable and safe I feel in his arms. I swallow hard though when my fears begin to rear their ugly head. It won't last, my subconscious reminds me, all men are the same. Men take want they want and leave you with nothing.

"Adelaide?" Oliver's voice is soft.

"Hmm?" I respond as I breathe in deeply again. I know this sense of comfort won't last but I want to remember what it feels like. I want to remember what it feels like to be unafraid of someone's touch.

"How did you sleep?" His hand slips around my jaw line softly before he forces my eyes to meet his.

"Okay." I lie, I slept amazing.

"Do you want to talk about last night?" His teddy brown eyes fill with concern as they scan my face.

"No," I say simply. "Thank you for staying with me and for not trying anything."

His eyes widen. "Fuck, Adelaide. Do you honestly think that lowly of me?" his accent is thick, he's clearly offended.

"I think that lowly of all men don't be offended," I confess coolly before removing myself from his arms and standing from the bed. "Close your eyes," I demand.

He does as told by pulling the pillow out from under his head and coving his face with it. "I would never try anything with you."

His words sting, but I can't decipher why. In one swift movement I remove my leggings and pull on a pair of jeggings. My eyes scan the room for my bra and I quickly locate it under Oliver's pants. Without taking off Oliver's shirt I put it on underneath.

"I want to take you somewhere," Oliver speaks up.

"Where?" My curiosity is peaked, but am I even comfortable with going somewhere with him, especially alone? I locate my navy-blue shoreline converse and pull them on.

"The one place I go when I need to scream at the world." He peeks an eye out from under the pillow. "Please let me take you."

"Why do you want to take me so bad?"

"Because I think you have earned the right to scream at the world." He stands from the bed and swiftly removes his sweatpants.

I quickly turn my back, so I am no longer facing him.

"Adelaide, I want you to know something." He swallows loudly. "I can't be," he stops. "If I ever see that guy, I'll kill him."

I laugh; not because I doubt his words, I hardly know him, but because he doesn't even know David's name much less what he looks like.

Oliver lightly touches my shoulder, so I turn to face him. "I mean it. I won't ever let someone touch you like that again."

"Why are you so protective? You don't even know me." I search his face for a sign, but none are given.

"No one should have to go through what you did, especially not twice," he says simply before grabbing my purse and walking to the door. "You comin', love?"

"What did I say about calling me love?" I roll my eyes as I walk pass him, grapping my purse from him as I do.

He smirks to himself, but I saw it and I can't help but smile to myself as I walk down the hallway and out into the morning air. When I realize I have no idea where I am supposed to go, I slow down to allow Oliver to lead the way. He pulls out his keys as he approaches a large black Chevy Tahoe with a lift kit. He reaches for the passenger door and opens it for me.