hard | daniel seavey

chapter ten

   His hands slid down from my neck to my waist, not once disconnecting our lips. My hands found their way around his neck. Daniel pulled me closer to him before completely pulling me onto his lap.

    People said you would know when a person was right when you felt a 'spark' when you kissed. If that was the case, then this kiss was electrifying. Daniel's lips moved from lips to down my neck. I leaned back a bit, allowing him more access to where he was trying to go, but almost jumped out of my skin when my back hit some of the piano keys. Daniel let out a little laugh against my skin, sending shivers down my body.

    "I guess that's a sign that we should stop," Daniel looked up at me and pushed a stray hair behind my ear.

     "I don't want to rush this. I mean, I don't even know what's completely going on with Aaron." I sighed and looked away from his gaze. His fingers gently took my chin and made me face him.

   "We don't have to rush anything. I'll be here whenever you're ready," Daniel said sweetly. I didn't deserve this boy. He took my hands in his and played with my fingers. "Stay for tonight? I don't think I'm ready to let you leave just yet."

    "Well," I bit the inside of my cheek to try to keep from smiling. "Since I moved out of Aaron's, the other boys offered to let me stay here. Until I find my own place, which I plan to start doing tomorrow. So I'll be here for a couple of nights, maybe a week max."

   "Then you can stay here. I wouldn't want you to stay up until 3 in the morning because you can't sleep," Daniel mocked with a smirk on his face.

    "You think you're funny, don't ya," I laughed and playfully pushed his shoulder. He acted offended and started tickling my sides, sending me into a laughing fit. "Daniel stop!"

      "Okay, okay. You win." Daniel laughed and stopped moving his hands, but still rested them on my sides. His eyes shifted towards the clock. It was getting late and I could tell from the growing bags under his eyes he was tired.

     "Let's go to bed." I suggested, climbing off of his lap. I stayed in my leggings and t-shirt from earlier that day and laid on one side of the bed, while he went to the other room to change. He came back out with nothing but a pair of sweatpants on. My eyes gazed over his body. I could tell he had been working out more often from the small growing abs. I might have been looking a little too long, because Daniel cleared his throat. Heat rised in my cheeks and I looked away. "Sorry."

   "Its okay," He flushed as he turned off the lights and climbed under the blanket. I stayed on my side, but was pulled over by Daniel's warm hands. "When I said I wanted you to stay the night, I meant with me."

     I laughed and rested my head on his bare chest. His hand trailed up and down my side as I traced random little shapes on his stomach. I caught a glimpse of the 4 tattoos on his right arm. He mentioned he had them, but never really explained what they were.

     "What do your tattoos mean?" I asked, trying to look at them through the darkness. He lifted his hand up and removed his other arm from my body.

      "Well the pine tree represents Washington. I grew up mainly in Portland, but Washington will always remain my home. I remember my mom would have my sister, Anna, and I collect pine combs for these homemade craft things she used to do." He laughed softly. I wasn't looking at him, but I could tell he was flashing his million dollar smile. "The palm tree represents Los Angeles, my new home. The place my dream really took flight."

  "I'm gonna go on a wild whim and say that the 5 is for the band?" I looked up at him this time. He nodded and laughed.

   "We all wanted to get 1/5, but just never did." He rubbed over the tattoos and tilted his wrist a bit. "And the funky symbol means humility." 

   "I'm an English major and I don't even know what that means," I laughed at looked at it closer.

    "In short terms, it means to always remain humble." His left arm went back to my side, continuing to rub and down my body. His right arm went back down to his side.

     "I know I haven't known you long," I shifted my body a bit so I was laying flat on my stomach, looking at him directly. "But you're the most humble person I know. I mean, who takes in someone like me so easily?"

      "When it comes to you, everything's easy." Daniel's eyes locked with mine. His eyes shone through the darkness like a cat's would. His thumb caressed my cheek as he tilted his head a bit. "I just wish this could be easy."

      As usual, he was right. Things with Aaron and me were complicated. Which made it no easier for Daniel. I felt bad for always having to lean on him for support. But he felt like the only one I could talk to who would really understand.

     "I know.. I just need time." I sighed sadly. He pulled me back to him, gently placing a kiss on my head.

      "Goodnight, Madi." He said with a slight sigh. Guilt rose in my body as I sat and thought about my decision. Maybe I should've just left Aaron completely. But it's been almost 4 years, my heart was still with him, even if he did so much to hurt me. Love wasn't an easy thing to overcome. But do I even love him anymore?

    I sighed and closed my eyes, slowly drifting off to the sound of Daniel's heartbeat.