Like Nobody's Business

Latched

Nayeli Binns

The minor ache between my legs whenever I move too quickly reminds me that I shouldn't. I'm a bit sore, nothing that I need to worry about since it is normal. At least the water is soothing, my eyes are closed and my head rested on the tub. I didn't want my eyes open, it's easier to enjoy these flashbacks with Alexander.

"Hey, you finish?" I jumped at the sound of Alexander's voice, spilling some of the water from the tub.

"Yeah I was just about to get out." I kept my body submerged underwater, the cloudy soap water continues to keep my body hidden.

"You were? Didn't seem like that to me." A playful smirk rest on his face, I didn't realise the robe he had in his hand until he held it open for me. I stand and slip inside quickly, hoping he didn't get to see much of my naked body.

The question I have been wanting to ask finally spills from my mouth. "How was it?" He fell silent and I continued tieing the knot on my robe hoping nothing terrible comes next, I faced him partially afraid he may not have enjoyed earlier events. I am a bit inexperienced.

"Do I really need to answer that?" We exchange looks before exiting the bathroom.

"I had to ask." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Did you enjoy it? Don't be afraid to tell the truth, anything you don't like we can change it." He sat on the bed and watched as I slipped on my panty under the robe, I'm still not very comfortable with him seeing me naked.

"Well I don't like the fingering." This is easier to say since I turned my back to put on my bra.

"Alright, I won't do it again." Even though he was the one who asked for my honesty I couldn't dismiss the idea that he may feel hurt, maybe a little maybe a lot. When I turn to him immediately I noticed that he didn't look the slightest bit of offended which forced me to ignore my thoughts.

He cleared his throat before speaking again, his demeanor changed, he seems on edge now. "Are you sore?" My common sense tells me he's being catious. "Does anything hurt?  I tried my best to be as gentle as possible."

I know exactly what he's trying to find out, I guess asking me directly would have been too awkward for him. I shook my head, no, before grabbing my nights clothes to get dressed.

"Why don't you sleep in my shirt tonight?" He slips the one he is currently wearing over his head and passes it to me. "You did it once and never did it again."

"You like to see me drowing in your t-shirts?" I grabbed the material and threw it over my head, it dropped inches above my knee as expected. "How do I look?" I propped my hand on my hip giving my best model pose, this only results in Alexander laughing at me.

"I think you're the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on." His face held a small smile and that look he always had whenever he stared at me. The same one I usually complained about when we first met. Life is so funny.

"You know exactly what to say don't you?" I beamed at him while I made my way to the bed. At first his smile slowly fell but he fixed it and pulled me closer to his body instantly making me feel relax. His hands found their way to my hair as usual and in no time I was out like a light while shackled in his embrace.

__

The empty space where Alexander's body should be had me awake within seconds after I rolled over. The house was quiet and he was no where insight. My feet hit the cold floor as I walked through the house insearch of him, the cool breeze brushed against my legs causing me to pull at the hem of Alexander's shirt hoping it could cover more of my legs.

"There you are." I whispered to myself, he had his phone up to his ears. As soon as I was close enough to see his face I could tell something was wrong. He ended the call as soon as he spotted me which only raised my suspicion. We may not be together for years but I know when something is wrong with him.

"What's wrong?" I stood in front him with my arms folded to give my hands warmth.

"Nothing, I gave my parents a call."

"Oh." I took a seat next to him, "How are they? Is everything okay?"

"They're okay," he wrapped his hand around my arm and pulled me onto his lap. "Listen, I need you to know that I love you, yeah I know I may have said it too soon but I need you to know that. I need you to understand that I will do anything to keep you safe and happy. Anything. I chose you then and I'm choosing you now,  okay?" As much as I love the way the words rolled off his tongue I couldn't shake the feeling that something's not right.

"What do you mean you're choosing me now?" I stared into his eyes waiting for an answer.

"It's nothing, I just needed to get that off my chest; that and this necklace." I watched as he unclasped the silver chain from around his neck and slid the ring off of it, then it finally hit me what he was doing.

He couldn't be doing what I possibly think he is. It's Alexander for Christ's sake.

"Alexander please tell me you aren't proposing." He ignored my statement and grabbed my hand.

"Not a proposal, a promise. I know they say a promise is a comfort to a fool but you can put your trust in me. I promise that I will do whatever it takes to keep you happy, I promise to always be there for you and love you. Frist as a friend then as your lover.

No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, we all hold secret from each other's eyes but I promise I will do my best to give you all of me. I'll be the best friend and lover you ever had. I want to build a life with you- we will build a life together. Remember that everytime you look at this ring."

And with that he slipped it onto my hand. So it's not an engagement ring but a promise ring. I reward him with a kiss, filled with love and passion.

"I'm not ready to say those words back just yet but I'll get there."

"We'll get there." He brings both my hands to his lips and gives them a small but tender kiss. I still can't ignore the gut feeling that he isn't telling the truth or the whole truth rather. I do believe everything he said, I attached myself to every promise. It may have been the wrong thing to do but my mind wonders what if it isn't?

"Come back to bed." I stand and pull him up with me, I kept our hands locked as we quietly walked to the room.