Tangled Love

CHAPTER 42

When I step out, Jake turns around and holds his hand out towards me. Butterflies fill my stomach and I walk towards him, slipping my hand into his. The warmth of his touch causes a shiver to run up my spine and I blush, glancing down at the floor.

"Are you ready?" Jake asks quietly, his beautiful eyes shining in the dimly lit room. I nod my head, excitement filling me. Jake smiles in return and opens my bedroom door slowly, pulling me out with him. We both tip-toe across the landing before going downstairs. Jake heads for the front door immediately, clutching his car keys in his hand. I don't question his actions and instead follow him silently. My heart is hammering against my chest and I can feel the adrenaline running through my blood from the excitement.

We both step outside into the silent night, darkness engulfing us. I shiver slightly from the cold, goosebumps covering my arms and the back of my neck.

"Are you cold?" Jake asks quietly, directing me to his car. I shake my head, sliding into the passenger seat. He reluctantly slips his hand out of mine. I immediately miss the feeling of his skin but watch as he walks around the front of the car, sliding into the drivers seat. His car smells like a mixture of him and leather. He turns the key in the engine and it roars to life before settling back down into a soft purr.

I pull the seat belt over my body and secure it, noticing my hands are trembling. Silently Jake reaches over into the back before emerging with a red tartan blanket. He drapes it over me —

"Try and warm up, it's a long drive," he murmurs. I nod silently, tucking the blanket in around me tighter. I watch him as he confidently pulls out of the driveway before setting off down the road, heading for the other side of town. Curiosity manages to get the better of me. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Can you give me a clue on where we're going?"

Jake shakes his head, turning to grin at me.

"I knew you'd ask me that. Patience Muffin."

"I'm not a patient person," I protest, glancing out the window as houses and parked cars whiz past us. The world is dark outside, dimly lit by street lamps every now and then.

"Tough, deal with it," Jake shoots back teasingly, keeping his eyes on the road.

"You're impossible sometimes, you know that?" I reply, my lips tugging upwards into a smile. Jake chuckles quietly, turning to head onto the motorway.

"Tell me about yourself Emily," Jake says, turning to give me a warm look. So different than the first time we met. I'm slightly taken aback by his question, unsure on how to answer.

"What do you want to know?" I ask him, pulling my knees into my chest. My body is beginning to warm up and I sink into the seat, getting comfortable.

"Everything," he says softly. I feel them again, butterflies. My throat dries out and silence settles upon us as I turn to look at him. He's focused on the road despite the traffic being non-existent at this time.

"My favourite colour is white and blush pink. I love waking up early before the rest of the world because the silence is comforting. I have a guilty pleasure of watching child cartoons when no-one else is around. My favourite food is extra cheese pizza, I'm not mad about putting some pineapple on there too."

"I agree with the pineapple on pizza." Jake smiles before motioning for me to continue.

"I love to help people. People who are struggling or vulnerable. I'm big on family despite not knowing mine very well. I always wished I had an older brother when I was younger. . ." I drift off, resting my chin on my knees.

"Why?"

"To protect me," I smile, turning my head to watch him drive. Jake Melvin is utterly beautiful . . . I'll never get tired of sitting and watching him. The way he moves, the way his jaw tenses when he's thinking or concentrating hard. Jake slowly nods, never taking his eyes off the road. It makes me feel safe knowing he's being careful.

"When did you stop?"

"When did I stop what?" I said quietly, my voice a low murmur.

"When did you stop wishing you had an older brother?" Jake repeats. I pause for a moment, thinking hard about his question.

"When Trevor started beating me. Before that I thought if I had an older brother, he'd stop Trevor from hitting my Mum. Once Trevor started to beat me up, I realised something. I realised no-one in this world could save me. My own mother couldn't save me and she shares my blood. Having a brother wouldn't make a difference if my own Mum can't save me from a monster. So I simply stopped wishing for an older brother, I didn't see the point."

"Do you still think that no-one can save you?" Jake asks softly, his hands gripping tightly onto the steering wheel. I smile at his question because I like the answer.

"No, I changed my mind."

"When?"

"When I met you," I murmur, closing my eyes. After that a silence falls upon us but it's a good silence. The movements of the car drift me off into a deep sleep and it's the first time in months, I feel well rested.