RUINING ANGEL (4 page)

Something in the pit of my belly stirs when she looks up from her book. Her eyes drink me in and move slowly from my shorts which are hung low on my hips, up towards my face. Moving towards the window, I catch the color that fills her cheeks. Her eyes dart away momentarily, abashed at staring so openly at me. I wonder briefly if she’s put off by seeing her sweaty brother in his running gear, but something inside tells me she’s not.

Standing on the other side of the window pane, I watch her intently, searching for any sign that she could possibly feel the same way.

Thoughts of her naked body fill my mind and I feel myself becoming aroused in my shorts. Think dead puppies, think dead puppies! It’s not working, and I’m going to need to tear myself away before my arousal becomes too obvious. Turning to leave, I nearly jump out of my skin when her hand slams against the glass.

She holds it pressed firmly against the window, the heat from her palm misting the glass and revealing her finger prints.

Her blue eyes meet my dark, questioning ones before she looks at her own hand, willing my eyes to follow hers there. Tentatively, I raise my hand to press my own against hers from my side of the glass. A smile plays on her lips and I feel myself jump to life, in more places than one. Movement in the background shakes me out of my reverie and I realize with horror that it’s my father moving through the hallway of the house. He hasn’t seen me, but this is just too damn close for comfort. He catches me messing with my sister and I’m sure he’ll kill me where I stand.

I snatch my hand back and ignore Bailey’s look of confusion as I make my way around to the back door. Mom is there having breakfast.

‘Good morning, dear. Would you like a ride to school today? I think you’ll be running a bit late, pardon the pun.’ She smiles while she checks the time on her wrist watch.

‘That’d be great, mom. I’m just gonna grab a shower before we leave, okay?’

‘You go ahead darling. I’ll make you something to eat in the car.’

‘You’re the best,’ I say as I plant a kiss on her cheek. Her favorite perfume can be smelt on her clothes, which always comforts me a little. She wipes my sweaty kiss with her palm and scrunches her nose. I laugh.

‘I know, I know. I’m heading for the shower now.’ She winks at me as I take off for the stairs.

I dare not look in the living room, where I know Bailey is still reading her book. Instead, I focus on the floor like it is the most interesting thing I’ve seen all day and head for the bathroom.

Stripping off my clothes, I set the shower so the water is tepid. It sluices over my skin and washes away the sweat from my work out.

Lathering my hands with soap, I work them over my hard, muscled body, which inadvertently responds to thoughts of Bailey still floating around in there. My cock springs to life and I know I’m in trouble. Not that I haven’t had impure thoughts of her before, but this is the first time I actually think I’m going to masturbate while thinking of her.

Gripping my cock firmly and feeling the ache in my balls, I know there is no way humanly possible to stop what is about to happen.

Moving my hand up and down my shaft, my eyes close and I pretend it is Bailey who has me so stitched up. Her face fills my thoughts and consumes me. Every time she bites her lip, cocks her head at me or blushes – I imagine that each and every time I am the source of her actions. I want to get under her skin, the way she does mine. I want to make her hot and wet for me, the way she does me.

I want to own her, possess her, make her mine and never let go.

The thought of controlling her body’s reactions tips me over the edge.

My balls tighten as I search for release. With one hand working faster on my shaft, the other cups my balls as my toes curl against the tiles of the shower stall. Panting heavily I lean up against the wall as semen shoots forward from my cock. With release, comes guilt, instantly washing over me in a thousand waves.

A large bang on the door startles me senseless.

‘Yeah?’ I yell gruffly.

‘Time to go, hot stuff!’ Bailey’s chuckle of laughter reaches me from the other side of the door.

Fuck! I really am in trouble.

CHAPTER SEVEN - Savior

By lunch time my stomach is in knots. There is this crazy notion in my head that I should talk to Bailey about how I’m feeling.

There is nothing sensible about this decision; it’s just something that’s eating at me. I’m a bit like a dog with a bone, so I know it won’t leave me until I have out with it.

Walking down the school hallway at lunch, I seek out her locker in case she’s returning books. She’s not there, but I see a girl she takes English with standing nearby.

‘Cameron, have you seen Bailey?’ The girl instantly stands up straight, a pleased look on her face and a smile to boot. I wish this weren’t the reaction of girls towards me. It really makes me uncomfortable. I’m more likely to be rude than kind when I receive unwanted attention. There are no rules when it comes to letting a chick down, but I’ve come to learn that a swift rebuttal stops them in their tracks.

She observes my bored expression and goes back to being a moody teenager, the smile disappearing as quickly as a cloud covers the sun.

‘She was here a minute ago. I think she said she was going to the tracks.’

‘Why would she go there? It’s not like she’s in the track team …’

‘Like I care,’ Cameron’s tone is bitchy, my obvious disinterest clearly egging the more charming side of her personality on.

‘Thanks,’ I say sarcastically, taking off at a fast walk in the direction of the football field.

It’s almost the end of lunch. Most people have already headed back towards the school buildings but there are a few people milling around the bleachers, Mr. Sawyer included. He sees me and nods a hello. Being the gym teacher, he normally relies on me to bring our state running team home with some medals for track and field each year. He knows me well. I nod back and then divert my attention to the rest of the field.

It’s a big field. But even at first glance I know something is severely amiss. Mr. Sawyer and the other students at the bleachers seem not to notice the commotion that is happening on the field.

All I can see is my beloved Baily. She’s on the grass, not moving.

A white hot rage takes over me and I start to see blurred circles of light across my line of vision. Adrenalin spikes in my blood stream and I know there is nothing on this earth that would be able to contain the rage I am feeling right now.

Setting off at a dead sprint, it isn’t long before I have covered the space between us. There is no stopping me though. I plough through the bodies that are on top of her and send them sprawling like bowling pins, knocking the girls flat on their asses. I don’t stop there, though. Getting them off her is just the beginning.

Female or not, they are hurting the girl I would give my life for, and for that, they are going to pay.

Fists meet soft jaw. I can feel teeth graze my knuckles as I connect with their mouths. I’m completely devoid of feeling, though. These people mean nothing to me. Hurting them harder than they hurt her is my sole purpose. When they are on the grass whimpering, I feel like I am halfway through with retribution.

To be honest, I forget where I am. I’m manic and furious, rage pouring off me in waves. When I’m the last man standing, I start in with my boot, kicking each of them in turn in the ribs. The feel of soft bone giving way does nothing to simmer my temper. There is nothing I can do to stop the rampage of violence that is spilling from me.

‘Emmett!’ I’m sure this person has been yelling at me for a while, yet it is only now that their voice seems to be reaching my ears.

Abruptly I turn, and notice that coach Sawyer is standing a short distance off, calling my name. A mortified expression is on his face, disbelief etched across his brows. The other students who were with him moments before are nowhere to be seen.

‘Emmett! Step away from the girls please.’ He’s coaxing me, as though I am beyond reason. To be honest, I probably am.

Ignoring him and the girls I just kicked the shit out of, I turn my attention back to the center of my universe. Bailey. All I see is Bailey. I bend down to pick her up, her tiny frame weighing next to nothing in my strong arms.

‘Where do you hurt? What have they done to you?’ I whisper urgently as I start to walk off with her. Completely ignoring coach, I make my way to the gate at the front school entrance. Getting Bailey home is my first priority.

‘I’m fine, I promise,’ she says weakly. ‘Please just take me home.’

CHAPTER EIGHT - Ruined

I do, carrying her the whole way there. Not that it is too far, her weight bearing no burden while my body still courses with adrenalin from the fight. I put one foot in front of the other until I reach our front door. Gently I lower her to the ground so she can fish out her house keys from her pocket. I’m thankful my parents are both at work. Her fingers are shaking, so I take they keys from her and unlock the door before scooping her back up in my arms.

‘Where do you want me to put you?’ I ask.

‘Upstairs, in my bedroom,’ She whispers against my chest. She looks a mess, and seems shocked when we pass the mirror hung from her bedroom wall. To me, she is still my beautiful Bailey.

She kicks her shoes off and climbs into bed, not caring that I’m still standing in the room. She pulls the covers over her head. Small noises are coming from under the sheets, and all I want to do is pull them back and comfort her. Tell her that I love her and will always be here for her. But that would be a completely inappropriate thing to say to her. It’s too close to the truth of how I really feel about her.

‘Bailey, honey?’

‘Yeah,’ she mumbles from the sanctuary of the sheets.

‘Let me see you. I need to check if you’re okay.’

‘No! I’m too ugly to look at right now.’

Not caring anymore what she thinks, I slowly start to peel sheets off her. Her hands cover her face to ward off my gaze. Taking up residence on her bed, I take both of her hands in mine, forcibly removing them from hiding her puffy eye and split lip.

‘Look at me.’ I try to keep my voice soft, warm, and inviting. I can see her relent as she slowly obeys me. Her vulnerability renders me completely useless. I know all my feelings must be laid bare right now because there is no holding back how I feel for her anymore. I wipe her tears.

‘Thank you … for helping me.’

‘Listen to me, Bailey. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, you know? And you’re not ugly – even with a black eye and cut lip.

You’re the most adorable, sweet, beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.’

I suddenly realize I may have overstepped the mark and hold my breath as the words leave my lips. My rough hands rest gently at the side of her soft face. I’m shocked. It seems that her expression mirrors mine exactly and my breath suddenly catches in my lungs. I didn’t think she would ever feel this way about me. Ever. Yet, in a moment of panic, I want to take it all back.

‘I’m sorry, I know it’s inappropriate.’ My eyes dart away from hers as she stares me down.

‘You think I’m beautiful?’ she asks. There is no hesitation on my part.

‘Yes.’

‘Even like this?’

‘Yes.’ I lick my lips, a nervous reaction that I can’t control. The strangest expression comes over her features, suddenly confusing me. Sitting forward she reaches for me, a brazenness I didn’t know she possessed taking over as she grabs my shirt, pulling me towards her, pressing my lips to hers with abandon. I try to behave as gentle as I can, but with this desire I have harbored for so long, I can barely contain myself. I’m sure she must be feeling a world of pain, but I’m too selfish to stop.

My tongue seeks out hers, an invisible line just crossed and now there is no turning back. There is a need between us that is calling to be fulfilled and we meet it head on. There is no roughness in my actions, despite the fact I want to consume her wholly. My fingers dance across her clothes, light as feathers falling from a nest in the trees in spring. I’m captivated.

The brief moment my lips leave hers, she gazes upon my face. I would give a million bucks just to know what she is thinking right now.

‘Thank you for saving me, for being there. You’re like my guardian angel you know.’

‘Me? An angel?’

‘Yes,’ she nods firmly, ‘You’re definitely my angel. In fact, that’s what I’m going to call you from now on – Angel.’

‘You can’t call a man angel,’ I say indignantly, although I know the hint of a smile on my lips must give me away. There is nothing that she couldn’t ask of me – nothing I wouldn’t do.

‘Yes you can.’ Her voice is just a whisper, intimidated but wanting to stand up to me. I stroke her face tenderly, kissing her lips ever so softly.

‘Well, okay. But only because it’s you. If anyone else were to call me that I’d have to punch ‘em on the nose.’ She smiles, happy that I’ve accepted her nickname so readily. My lips sweep back to hers and we fall back into the bliss-induced haze while my fingers work their magic on her clothing.

The top part of her dress is first to go. I work it off her shoulders and down towards her hips. She winces slightly, and it hurts me to see that I am causing her further pain. She says nothing, taking tiny breaths to curtail the consuming pain she must be feeling.

It’s rather selfish, but there is no way I would be able to stop now.

Curiosity has the best of me. My head is called to her neck and ever so slowly I kiss my hot mouth down towards her belly button, taking extra care as I trail over her ribs. My body is on fire. Every single touch to her skin starts an inferno raging through me. Passion courses through me and all my senses are humming away.

Sensuality, love and desire taking hold of both of us.

The disheveled dress she’s wearing slides easily down the rest of her body and off her legs. They are smooth and silky, trembling slightly as I run my fingers up the length of them. My tongue takes a turn to run the length of her thighs, all the way to the edge of her panties. I’m delighted to see she’s wet, the evidence showing on the material. She moves to cover herself with her hands, but I refuse to let her cover any part of her. I want to see it all. Too long I have spent fantasizing about this moment.