Love Within (Complete First Book)

Chapter 9 - Derek

We are in my car, I am dropping her to her apartment. She insisted on taking a cab but I was not gonna let that happen. She is stubborn but she doesn't know me yet. She is silent and looking outside the window, lost in her thoughts. I can give anything to know what is she thinking right now. Is she regretting the kiss? Did I move too fast? But she did reciprocate.

The kiss was everything I had imagined and now I am hard again. I shifted on my seat. I liked the way she leaned on me and kissed me fiercely, but something was missing it's like she was trying hard not to give herself away.

"Are you Ok?" I asked her. She looked at me and smiled. Ah, that smile. Today, I saw her smile and laugh. She wasn't so open, but she was happy at least.

"I am just tired." She yawned and her eyes do look heavy. I smiled at her.

"We are about to reach in 10 minutes," I said and looked at the road.

"I enjoyed it today. Thank you for bringing me with you."

"I am happy that you came. So thank you." I held her hand in mine. I love touching her, but I can't do more than holding her hand, so I have to work with it. Something is better than nothing.

"We are here," I stated. She was going to get out but I stopped her. I got out and opened her door. She got out and asked me the same question I hoped she won't ask.

"Why did you take me with you?" She asked in her sweet voice. I took a step toward her and she looked at me.

"I wanted to spend some time with you," I put my hands on her face and caressed her cheeks. She closed her eyes and leaned on my touch.

"Why?" She asked in a hushed voice, opening her eyes and looked into mine.

"Because there's something between us that pulls me to you and I can't seem to stop it and I know you feel that too." She just looked in my eyes as if trying to find out the truth. "Please tell me you do feel that," I asked her placing my forehead against hers.

"I do feel that Derek." She accepted and I blew out the breath I was holding.

"You are beautiful Emma and ever since I saw you at that airport I couldn't do anything but think about you," I said and she blushed, which reddened her face. "You look even more beautiful when you blush like this," I said and she pulled away so quick like I knocked a punch at her.

This is a mistake. She muttered to herself and closed her eyes, but it was loud enough for me to listen. What is wrong with her? She was fine a minute ago and now she is pushing me away.

"Emma, Emma look at me. Please open your eyes and look at me." She looked at me with grief in her eyes. "I am sorry if I said or did something wrong, please tell me what happened," I tried to touch her, calm her down but she took a step back.

"I am ti-tired, I will see you tomorrow." She said in a cold voice and left me standing outside her apartment. I just looked at her in shock. She didn't even turn back to look at me.

What the hell just happened? I mumbled and walked into my car.

I am in my home sitting on the couch with a glass of whiskey in my hand. I can't get that image out of my head. Everything was fine, we were bonding and she even accepted that she feels the same about me but all of a sudden she became cold and distant. What worried me the most is the pain I saw in her eyes. My assumptions were right, someone has hurt her so much that she is scared to open up. I know she wouldn't tell me anything but I will find out.

I took out my phone and called Liam, he picked up on the 3rd ring.

"Hello, my friend. You missing me?" He cheered on the other line.