Tangled Love

CHAPTER 24

"Emily? It's me, Jake."

Jake.

I blink away my blurred vision and begin to make sense of my surroundings. I'm lying on a double bed, the sheets crisp white and soft. The walls are painted a baby blue shade, the furnishings white to match the rest of the decor.

"Jake?" I say turning towards him, my voice shaking. I watch as he sighs heavily, his gaze dropping to the floor to avoid making eye contact with me.

Embarrassment fills my body and I sit up, stepping off the bed to leave the room.

"I have to go," I mumble, my mind disorientated and confused. My legs buckle underneath me weakly and I close my eyes, getting ready to meet the floor. Jake's hand flies out, circling around my waist. He guides me so I'm stuck between his legs, one on either side. I sigh and push on them in an attempt to be free but they don't move an inch.

"Stop struggling Emily, turn around."

His voice is quiet, smooth.

I turn around, my head hung low which caused my hair to fall over my face. I like it, it acts like a curtain to protect me. . . I think Jake knows my secret. Nobody else ever suspected a thing besides from Jake. I figured it out by the way he treats me, gentle and caring. He treats me this way because he knows my secret and he feels sorry for me.

The girl who's beaten by her stepdad.

Jake's hand reaches up, hovering near my face.

"I'm not going to hurt you, don't flinch," he whispers. I stop breathing from his words, my heart beating wildly against my chest. He slowly tilts my chin up until I'm looking directly into his eyes. They're soft and warm, completely opposite to the murderous look he was sporting before.

When Jake is like this, he's harmless. Yet with everyone else, he's as cold and dangerous as the first time I'd seen him in the classroom. His thumb strokes my jaw and I sigh, completely content with the slightest bit of affection. Jake chuckles at my reaction, his stomach vibrating and I blush in embarrassment.

"Stop laughing at me." I mutter, my cheeks flaming up in embarrassment. My heart is beating wildly against my chest. novelbin

"You're adorable, I can't help it." He gives me a cute, lopsided smile. I feel my heart somersault and I open my mouth to reply. The words I really wanted to say are lodged deep inside my throat. When I'm around him, I feel butterflies, constantly.

I push back away from his legs, building up the courage to let him know what's really on my mind. I walk around the room, stretching my legs as I examine it, my way of buying myself some time.

"Don't do that," Jake says suddenly, pushing himself off the bed and walking towards me. My eyebrows crease in confusion and I look back at him, frowning.

"Don't do what?" I ask innocently, my back hitting against the wall. Jake's eyes land directly on my lips, causing my heart to stop for a moment.

"Don't bite your lip like that."

"Sorry, it's a thing I do when I'm nervous." I explain, chuckling lightly.

Jake silently walks towards me, closing the space between us. His hand reaches up and combs back his dark hair, leaving me melting from the way his biceps tense.

"What do you really want to ask me?" Jake whispers, placing a hand on the walls on either side of me. He leans down so his face hovers in front of mine, inches away. I'm knocked back by his sudden question and I simply blink at him in return.

"N-nothing" I stutter, cursing myself silently. Whenever I'm around Jake, I lose the ability to act or talk like a normal human being.

"You're still doing it," Jake mutters, his eyes flickering between mine and my lips. As he speaks, his warm breath fans my face and I swear, my legs actually buckle underneath me.

"Don't stare at me and it won't bother you," I shot back, my confidence levels rising.

"Don't be so beautiful and maybe I won't stare," he smirks, barely hesitating with his response. I let out a small squeak at his words and immediately regret my decision.

Nice move Emily.

Jake's eyebrows shot up in amusement, blue eyes twinkling at me. I pull my lower lip into my mouth, biting down on it hard due to my nerves.

"Stop Emily."

"No Jake."

He glares at me and I glare back in response, daring him to break eye contact. The corners of his lips tug up and I know he's on the verge of laughing. In one swift move, Jake grabs hold of both my arms

playfully, surprising me.The pain shooting through my body is instant and I hiss, feeling fire burn through my skin. My reaction is one I deeply regret. . .

I instantly lift my knee up, hitting him hard between his legs.

Jake groans loudly, dropping to the floor with his eyes squeezed shut tightly.

"What the hell Emily?! There goes my chance of ever being able to have kids." Jake yells, his voice strained.

I don't respond, the pain becoming unbearable to handle. It's shooting down my arms, making me lightheaded. Pain flashes through my face and I turn to face the wall, not wanting Jake to see my tear stricken face. Jake gently turns me around, his eyes full of worry and confusion. Fresh tears sting my eyes and I blink, feeling them slide down my cheeks.

"Stop Jake!" I whisper, my voice breaking apart as I speak.

Jake takes no notice of my protests and silently tugs my sleeves upwards. I suck in a breath, feeling like I've been punched in the gut. Ugly bruises etched into my skin stare back at us.

"Emily?" Jake questions, his eyes filling with confusion.

I thought Jake would take one look at a broken me and he would walk away. Away from the pain and misery in my life. Instead he drops one of my wrists, using his hand to clutch my chin. He lifts it slowly so I'm staring into his eyes. He's searching me intently, blue eyes flickering between mine.

“Let me help you.”