Twenty-Six

        My eyes snapped open as I jerked awake. My hand clutched my chest and I had to suck in gulps of air to catch my breath. I had been having a nightmare, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it had been about. It had faded too quickly.

        I looked over to find Jensen sprawled out beside me and I tried to recall when he had came home. When we were leaving from work, he had told me he had to give Tyler a ride and would meet me at the apartment. I had wondered why Derek couldn’t do it, but figured it wasn’t my business.

        I waited an hour before I gave up and went to bed. My eyes were heavy as bricks and I was spent from the days events. Saw had made sure I made it to my apartment without a hitch, then disappeared into her own apartment.

        I snuggled closer, smiling. Glad he was here now and I could cuddle up to him. I reached over to brush the hair out of his face and jerked my hand back as if it were burned. When I had lifted his hair it revealed multiple cuts and bruises. I reached out to move his hair again, but he flinched away.

        He blinked at me through the strands of hair and I couldn’t hold back the scowl on my face.

        “Luv,” he cautioned, sitting up. He made to reach for me, but I moved off the bed to glare down at him.

        “Jensen!” I didn’t have to ask what happened. I could guess and I knew I would be right, but I asked anyway.“What happened?”

        “Something you are not going to be happy about,” he mumbled, looking guilty.

        “Too bloody late for that!” I scolded him, using one of his own words against him. It only made him grin.

        “Come now, luv.” He was trying and failing to look serious.

        “No, you come on! Tell me what happened!”

        He sighed heavily, then moved to set on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t take Tyler home,” he confessed.

        “You don’t say!” My voice dripped with sarcasm.

        “Derek called his gym as we were leaving work and they said Alex was there. I couldn’t get those bloody marks out of my head, luv. I told myself that I was just going to stop in and have words with him, but when we arrived there he called you a whore and I saw red.” His eyes were hard and I could see that the anger of it lingered and when he reached for my hand, I let him take it. He raised it up placing a kiss on my knuckled.

        “You look awful,” I sighed. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

        He pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around my middle. “You’re not mad?” He mumbled into my chest.

        “No. I can’t be made at you. You were defending me.” I knew it was wrong, but I was pleased that he cared enough to go to such lengths even if I wished he wouldn’t.

        He pulled back to look into my eyes. “I love you.”

        I pushed at his chest causing him to fall back. I climbed astride him and looked down at him grinning. “I love you more.” I bent my head down to kiss his neck, then trailed kisses down his chest. He chuckled low, then rolled us until he was the one on top.

        “No luv. I love you more and I’ll show you how much.” It was said in between kisses.

        He reached for the end of the sleep shirt I wore and pulled it over my head. He grinned down when it revealed I wasn’t wearing anything underneath. “Oh, luv.” His voice was low and husky. He continued kisses me, working his way down my body. He dipped his tongue in my belly button making me squirm, then started lower. When he planted a kiss on the inside of my thigh goosebumps erupted all over and I lost all thought when he kissed my sex.

        A moan escaped me and I shifted underneath him. I wanted him, badly and I was prepared to beg if needed, but he didn’t leave me wanting long. With a slow lick he seared my sensitive skin. I laced my fingers in his long curls and held on tight.

        I came on a gasp and arched my hips into his face. He didn’t seem to mind, just held onto me until I came down. He pushed me deeper into the bed and climbed over me, but I used this to my advantage. I knocked him to his back and climb on top of him, grinning down at him. The hunger in his eyes reflected into my own.

        Slowly, I lowered myself onto him. I moved up and down taking my time with him. He gripped my ass in both hands and moaned with each shift of my hips. It felt amazing. The pleasure of him being inside me threatened to tear me apart and after a few minutes I was in danger of losing myself. When my movements became frantic, he rolled us and I couldn’t do anything but hold on, screaming his name as I shattered underneath him.

        Saw ended up leaving for school without me and I missed most of my first class, but I had an amazing morning with Jensen. It was worth it. I was in an excellent mood and I knew it was going to be a great day.

        My thoughts were on Jensen when I collided into someone. “Oh, I am so sorry.” I took a step back and the apologetic smile froze on my face. I took an involuntary step back.

        Jensen looked awful, but that was nothing compared to how Alex’s face looked as he looked down at me. He had a nasty black eye, his other eyebrow was split and so was his lip. He looked like shit and from what I could tell he was favoring his right arm.

        Looking around, I made sure that people were milling about, then I went to shove past him, but he reached out to stop me. “Do not fucking touch me. Ever.” I jerked my arm out of his hold and glared up at him. Turning on my heel, I hurried away.

        By the time I reached class there was only ten minutes left. June gave me a questioning look as I took my seat, but I shook my head. This was the place to get into it and I was still trying to calm my nerves at being touch by him again. My stomach was churning and I was having to take in deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

        Five minutes later the professor ended class early. As I grabbed my bag off the floor, June reached out to touch my arm. It had startled both of us when I jerked away from her touch. I couldn’t hide the horror that clouded my face.

        “I didn't mean to scare you,” she said, her mouth turning down.

        “You didn’t,” I sighed, hefting my bag over my shoulder and leading the way out of the classroom.

        “What’s up?” She nudged my shoulder and gave me a small smile.

        “It’s Alex.” His name left a bitter taste in my mouth.

        “Alex?” She looked confused.

        “He isn’t taking being broken up with well,” I said shaking my head and absentmindedly I rubbed at my arms. She gave me a look and I knew she wanted more so, I filled her in on what had happened. To no one’s surprise she was just as outraged as Saw had been.

        “That bastard! I’m glad Jensen beat his ass!” She exclaimed. “He really left marks on you?”

        I tugged my jacket sleeves up, revealing the bruises. She swore under her breath and looked away.

        “I’m just glad it didn’t escalate to more.”

        “You should’ve called the police, Frey. It could have been a lot worse.” I didn’t bother to respond as we had stopped outside our classroom now, waiting for Saw. It was something I had heard many times from the other guys. As long as Alex kept the distance I wouldn’t call the police. There would be no need.

        Rainbow hair poked through the crowd as Saw pushed her way towards us.

        “Hey babes!” She greeted us when she reached us. She immediately noticed June’s sour expression. “What's wrong?”

        “Freya was just informing me about that asshole,” June said, angrily.

        “I saw that bastard earlier. Which one of the guys got him?” Her face was lit up like Christmas had came early.

        “Jensen, of course.” I rolled my eyes as a smug smile spread across both my friends faces.

        “Good,” they said in unison.

        “He deserved worse.” This from Saw. Rolling my eyes again I walked into the classroom, taking my seat.

        Class was dull as ever, but passed quickly to my relief. We went to Jimmy’s for lunch and it was nice to have time to spend with my friends. Plus, I was happy to actually eat something for lunch. I skip lunch when we go to the Cafe which is pretty much every day of the week.

        “Are you going home for Thanksgiving?” June asked as we waited for our food.

        “Yes! After my last visit they might come get me if I didn’t.” I had called my mom after Jensen and I had resolved things. She was over the moon with the news and couldn’t wait to meet him, but I think most of all she was just happy that I wasn’t a mess anymore.

        “Is Jensen going too?”

        “I haven’t asked him. I’m afraid it might be a bit soon.” To be truthful, I was scared to ask. I didn’t want to freak him out by asking him to meet my parents when our relationship was so new. On the other hand I was equally scared he would be offended if I didn’t ask him.

        The waitress sat out food down and refilled our drinks before disappearing again. I turned to Saw and raised an eyebrow at her. She knew him the longest. Maybe she could shed some light on what I should do and should expect.

        “What?” she asked, picking up her burger.

        “Do you think I should ask him to come?” I asked.

        She chewed and swallowed. “I don’t know, babe. Your relationship is moving a warp speed, so I don’t really see if being a problem. But you know Jensen he’s a ball of surprised.”

        “True and he likes when I’m open with him. I’ll just ask him. I mean the worst he can do is say no and I’m okay with that.”

        “That’s your best bet,” she nodded. I looked to June, and she smiled encouragingly at me.

        Saw and I headed straight for the shop after lunch since I opted out of going to change like I normally do. I didn’t look half bad today and I knew Mack didn’t care as look as I continued to do my job. He was a pretty laid back employer.

        There were quite a few people waiting in the reception area when Saw and I walked into the shop. My eyes narrowed on the leggy blonde leaning against my desk, chatting up Jensen. She was clearly flirting with him.

        Marching behind the counter I plopped down on Jensen’s lap and wrapped my arms around his neck. I leaned in and gave him a long kiss before turning to glare at the girl.

        “Oh! I’m sorry. Am I interrupting?” I smiled at her brightly, but I knew she could see the warning underneath.

        Saw walked past us not bothering to hide her laughter as she made her way down the hallway. The girl looked confused for a moment and I could tell she was trying to figure out how a plain girl like me landed a guy like Jensen. I hated to tell her, but it was an answer I didn’t think we’d either get.

        She stared down her nose at us for a moment longer, then shrugged. She winked at Jensen and headed out the door. Jensen’s arms tightened around me when I made to stand up to go after her. The tramp.

        When his arms didn’t move from around me, I turned my glare on him. “Seriously?”

        “I’m sorry, luv. I was doing my best to ignore her.” I rolled my eyes and climbed to my feet.

        “I got this,” I snapped. “Get to work.” It was mean, I know, but I was too mad to care. The sad thing was I wasn’t mad at him but mad that she was more his type than I was and she knew it.

        He climbed to his feet I sat in my chair, turning to face my computer but was turned back around. Jensen smiled down at me and I glared back. I was in no mood for his charming self.

        “You’re quite adorable when you’re jealous,” he chuckled. “You know I love you, right?” His expression was more serious now and it cooled my temper.

        “I know. It’s just I can’t help but notice she’s more your type than I could ever hope to be. I worry that one day you’ll realize that too.” God, that sounded pathetic.

        He squatted down so he was eye level with me. “After all we shared, you really believe that?” His question shamed me more. “You’re amazing, luv. You have to know that.” I leaned forward to rest my forehead against his.

        “I’m sorry,” I sighed. “I’m a bit of a basket case today.”

        He cupped my cheek with his hand and leaned in to kiss me. When he pulled back he looked me in the eyes. “Never apologize for telling me what you’re feeling.” He gave me one last kiss, then went to his studio.

        My face flushed when I turned to see all the polite stares. Of course, we had an audience. That was just so my luck. I looked back down to my computer trying to figure out where Jensen had left off. It looked like he was about to schedule an appointment for blondie, but never put anything in.

        Good. Now I wouldn’t have to deal with her a second time.

        “Way to stake your claim,” Derek laughed from behind me. Before I could turn to look up at him he took a seat beside me. I still had to look at him. He was a freaking giant.

        I arched an eyebrow at him.

        “It was hilarious,” he chuckled again. “Jensen thought so too.”

        “Well, I’m glad I could provide the entertainment for the day,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes.

        “It wasn’t necessary though. He’s serious about you.” I must’ve looked suspicious because he went on. “It’s true. I’ve been his friend since he moved here and he’s never been serious with anymore. Not a single woman, then you walk through that door and turn his world upside down.”

        My chest tightened at the rush of emotion I felt. It pleased me and pained me at the same time. I was pleased that he felt that for me, but sad that it was because of the death of his wife he had shied away from love.

        “Thank you,” I mumbled, my words thick with emotion. “I’m serious about him too.”

        “I know,” He smiled, then reached out to ruffle my hair. “Anyone could see that, goofy.” I stuck my tongue out at him as he stood and headed back to his studio. Smiling to myself  went back to work.