Stitch by Jaime Lewis (ebook reader online .txt) 📗

“Mia…” She moved again, and the glow from the firelight shined on her cheek where the bruising was the worst.  He ran his fingertips lightly down the soft skin. “I don’t like seeing you hurting, emotionally, or physically.  You don’t deserve any of this.”

She sighed. “I just want it to be over. I don’t like the unknown and being afraid of what could be around the next corner.” She looked up at him again and he saw the fearfulness in her eyes. It was a look he never wanted to see.  But he sensed there was something else bothering her.

“What else?”

Her eyes widened, and he wanted to laugh because that move alone ratted her out. “What do you mean?”

“What else is bothering you? You mentioned you were thinking about me. Have I done something to upset you?” Stitch asked, hoping he hadn’t. He admitted to himself that he’d been a little bossy over the last couple of days, but that was for her own good to help her heal.

“I’m afraid of losing you. I know we’re both attracted to each other and we’ve been playing this cat and mouse game ever since the holidays last year, but I’m tired of running and hiding. I’m afraid that when this whole thing going on with me is all said and done with, you’re going to realize that I’m too much trouble and you’ll walk away.”

Stitch was not only shocked, but he was pissed off that she would think he would be that insensitive to turn his back on her because of something she had absolutely no control over.

“Oh baby, let’s get something straight right now. I should be insulted that you would even think I could be that shallow of a person.” When she went to protest, he stopped her. “Let me finish. I can understand your way of thinking. You’ve really never had a serious relationship.”  When she looked surprised at his statement, he couldn’t help but grin. “Just because I never acted on my feelings didn’t mean I wasn’t keeping tabs on you, sweetheart.” When he saw the dawning light in her expression, he gave her a gentle squeeze and grinned. “I’ve had my eye on you for a while. It just took some time for my brain and heart to connect. I’ve wasted almost a better part of a year thinking about what others would think of us dating when I could’ve enjoyed that time with you. Yeah, you were still going to school, but still, we could’ve made it work. I kick myself in the ass every day.”

“We both made that mistake. I knew after the first month of dating Terek that he wasn’t right for me. I think I avoided you because of my brother.  God knows what he would think of us dating.”

“What would you say if your brother gave us his blessing?”

“I would say that would be a miracle. He doesn’t have much patience when it comes to men and me.”

He rubbed her back, “Mia, Ace, and I spoke the night you got here.”

Her eyes snapped up, looking directly into his. “What exactly did the two of you talk about?”

“You and me, and what we have between us.”

“And…”

He reached his hand under her hair, cupping the back of her neck, drawing her closer until they were nose to nose. He pressed his lips gently against hers, testing the waters. He wanted so badly to show her how he really felt and kiss her deeply. He wanted to taste every inch of her, but he was afraid he wouldn’t want to stop, and her body wasn’t ready for that yet.  He released her lips and stared into her eyes that glistened.

“That should answer your question.”

Her smile was so big, and her brown eyes sparkled. She kissed his cheek, then rested her head against his shoulder. She didn’t say anything for a few moments, and he wondered what was running through her head.

“You okay?”

She nuzzled her face against the side of his neck.

“It’s just a lot to take in. I mean, what if—”

He put his pointer finger against her lips to quiet her.

“Don’t play the what-if game. Believe me. It’s not worth the mind-fucking. Let’s just enjoy the time now.”

She smiled, then covered a big yawn.

He kissed the top of her head. “You’ve had a busy day. How about I take you up to bed?”

“Okay.” She said without an argument, and he grinned.

He got her upstairs and into the bathroom so she could change into her pajamas. He took that time to change into something more comfortable.  Pulling on a pair of lounge pants, he thought back to earlier in the day and how much he enjoyed spending it with Mia. She was definitely special.

She walked out, and he noticed she was favoring her ankle a little more than earlier.

He held out a pain pill and a glass of water to her. Surprisingly, she took it with no argument, then crawled in bed. He pulled the covers up over her, and she reached for his hand.

“Stay with me tonight?” She asked him as her brown eyes gazed into his.

“I haven’t left you alone yet at night.”

She looked over at the chair sitting next to the bed. “I don’t mean just sitting here in the room with me. I want you to lay in bed with me and hold me. Please?”

How could he say no to that pout? Without a word, he walked over to the main light switch and flipped it, sending the room into darkness. Seconds later, the moonlight filtered through the window, bringing just enough light for him to make his way back to the bed. Not that he needed the light. He had a knack for finding his way in the dark. He pulled the covers down and slid into bed behind Mia. He pressed up against her back. When she tried to turn, he held her still.

“No, stay just like this. This