Stained

Chapter 97

Do I believe he cares about me? Yes, I do.

The car rides. He didn't have to do them. He could've let me walk past the street where a drug dealing was taking place. He could have let me take a taxi with a possible creep. He could have let my hand turn all shades off purple before falling off. But he didn't. Each time he went out of his way to help me, despite my stubborn annoying self.

"I believe you." His eyes shine with an emotion I can't comprehend. "And I care about you too."

A genuine smile curves his lips and I return it. How could I not care about him? Despite the cold mask he has on twenty-four seven, I see him. The real him. The guy who makes sure I'm ok. The guy who wouldn't hesitate to clean my scars... the guy who doesn't hesitate a single second to help me.

If it came down to it, I would drop everything and help him too. Not because he helped me and I'm returning the favour, but even if he didn't, if anyone needed me, friend or not I would help them. It's why people have easily been able to take advantage of me in the past and will probably continue to do so. But it's something I'll never quit. Like Damien said, consequences be damned.

Damien could've left Hannah and slept with those girls, but he didn't. For whatever reason, he stayed. Damien Hunter is kind and considerate and I hate how he hides this side of him from the world.

'Not from you though,' that naive voice tells me.

Letting go of my arms, he drops his forehead to mine and closes his eyes, seeming defeated. "Fuck," he sighs.

I should tell him to get off me. But I can't. So instead, I do the total opposite of what I should, I wrap my arms around him, sighing when he nettles his face into the crook of my neck.

I swallow the lump in my throat and close my eyes, bask in his warmth and the feel of him. I wish we could stay like this forever, but we can't because I'm too broken and too much of a burden.

For a weak moment, I let myself wonder what it would be like if I wasn't. And it is so beautiful and so perfect my heart begins to ache and weep because it will never happen for me. But it will for him one day. The girl I saw as myself in my dream will be someone else in his reality, the perfect girl who is full of sunshine and rainbows.

Who will experience the joy of his smiles and laughs.

A tear trails down my temple. And just before sleep engulfs me, I think I hear him whisper, "I think I love you."

• • •

Why does my phone hate me so much! It's as if it knows I'm not having a nightmare. This is the second time it's done this.

"Mmmhhh," I groan hugging the body that's entangled with mine tighter.

Burying my face in a neck, taking in the strong musky scent that feels like home, I groan out against it, "turn it off please."

"What," Damien whisper shouts. "Because she's fucking sleeping... we'll come when she wakes up."

I snuggle closer, tightening my hold further. I never want to leave my bed. Usually, I'm fighting out of sleep, but I don't have a reason to do that today because I'm not having a nightmare.

"Rose?" Damien says, his voice strained.

"Mmhmm," I mumble incoherently, snuggling even closer.

"I'm going to fall off the bed, you with me if you don't move back."