Page 44 of Guarded By Death

"Can we go lay down?"

He puts his hand on his chest dramatically. "Scarlett Wells, your mom told you no boys in your room." He playfully scolds and I laugh at his stunned expression.

I walk over to him and lean my head against his chest, slipping my hands into his hoodie pocket. The crunch of something I touch surprises me and I pull out a crumpled piece of paper. A familiar piece of paper. His eyes widen when I unfold it.

"Don't read that,” he pleads.

I pull the paper behind my back as he chases me, a nervous smile creeping up his face.

He tosses me over his shoulder, obviously trying to distract me from reading it, but I do anyways.

I see my handwriting;I saw you in my dreams.

Underneath it, in cursive ink that's been smudged is simple and sweet.I saw you too.

He can feel the warmth that goes into my soul from the words as he sets me down and looks deep into my eyes.

No words are said as I bring myself on the tips of my toes to kiss him. He leans his head down and we kiss deeply as I hold the sweet letter in my hand with a tight grip. "When did you do this?" I ask, my voice smothered in adoration.

"I came to check on you, but I never came inside. I just saw you set this out and I was hoping you would think the wind took it." I can tell the gesture isn't something he's used to, but it means the world to me.

"Well, I thought it did." I don't hide my smile as he wraps my hand around his and leads us towards the bedroom.

Once I sit on the bed, he takes off his hoodie and hands it to me. "Wear it?"

He grins when I slip it on and we both crawl under the covers, he spoons me against him.

Laying here in his arms feels so natural. I run my hands through his hair, hoping he will feel the desperation in my touch. Doesn't he know how much I need him? Does he need me, though?

I kiss his neck for a moment and note that his breathing grows more rapid. I climb on his lap and his hand grips the back of my neck, pulling me into him. I'm lost in his kiss, his touch, his warmth.

He lets this tangled moment of passion go on for a moment longer before his hands grip my waist as he peels me off of him. I can’t help but pout. “So you don’t want me?”

His hands cup my face protectively, passionately, as his eyes bore into mine. "Don't ever say that Scar. I want every inch of you, every second of the day" His hand slides through my hair, making me melt under his touch. "But you forget so quickly you were just in the hospital for God knows what."

At the worst timing possible my phone starts ringing, and I see Liv's name flashing on the screen. Guilt covers me and replaces the moment I just had with Pierce as I send her to voicemail. Pierce, of course, senses this change in mood and he wraps me tighter.

"What's wrong, babe?" he asks and my heart flutters at his words.

"It's Liv, I know she's worried but I'm so scared Pierce. What if something had happened to her or Zack?"

"She will be safe. I promise, so will Zack," he says the last part with annoyance and I gently swat his arm. "It's for the best. I don't want to keep you from her so we can arrange a meeting time and I can keep you safe as well as Liv."

Realization dawns on me, Liv will be far away from me and safe very soon. "She leaves next week for her summer trip. She’ll be gone for two months but what about mom, though? Now, Brian and Kayla, they seem so sweet I don't want to bring them into this mess." The tears slide freely down my cheeks.

He places a strand of hair behind my ear. "I wish you would let me just take you away, we could go anywhere in the world you want. Fewer people would work best, so I wouldn't have to worry about you while I hunt down this demon." The grit is heavy in his tone.

"That wouldn't protect my family, I would rather have you here with me and my mom just in case."

"My main priority is protecting you," he tells me. "Everyone else be damned." I narrow my eyes at him, and he rephrases his statement. "Okay, everyone be damned besides your mom, Brian, and his daughter." He smiles, “Since Liv will be gone, she's safe and one less thing for us to worry about."

I swat his arm, "And Zack, fine."

Twenty-five

We leave Friday

Ibury my face into his chest. "One more question?" I ask hesitantly, not sure I want to know the answer. He rubs my back as I continue, "Earlier at the hospital, you said twice... that you've coaxed me or whatever. I now know the bathroom thing but what about the first time?"