Her eyes are zeroed in on the door, as if she is waiting for him to return. The look on her face reminds me, once again, that I’m dealing with a broken girl. She can pretend all she wants, but whatever he did, hurt her far worse than she cares to let on.
“Prue,” I say, reaching forward to touch her. She doesn’t react to my touch. That’s either a sign she trusts me or a sign sheis too deep in her head to notice. I let my hand stroke the back of her head, checking for any signs of damage from when she hit the wall. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes blink, softening a bit as if she is slowly slipping back to the real world. Her eyes zone in on me. She stares at me for a second before pressing her lips against mine.
I’m dazed for just a moment as her lips move against mine. I just let it happen, even letting my lips move back, before I snap to my senses.
“Prue,” I mumble, pulling my lips back just slightly. They are still touching. She follows the movement of my words, letting her tongue slip into my mouth. Her tongue grazes my teeth as she explores my mouth.
This is not good. I know she isn’t in the right frame of mind to be kissing me like this, but her lips feel so soft against mine. Her mouth is so warm and inviting. There is a part of me that just wants to get lost in the moment. Maybe this would be good for her. Break whatever spell he has over her.
But if I let this continue, I’m no better than him. She needs time to process what just happened.
I try to pull away. Maybe not with as much force as I should, but I’m trying not to hurt her fragile mental state.
She nips at my bottom lip as I try to slip away. Following my step backwards, she lets her teeth clamp down on my bottom lip.
“Fuck,” I groan, finally breaking free from her. My tongue runs over the area she bit, checking for blood. “Prue. What the fuck?”
“I’m sorry,” she mumbles, pressing her hands into her face as a sob escapes her lips.
That probably wasn’t the best reaction on my part, but it took me by surprise. I sigh, walking up to her. My hands take ahold of her shoulders. This time she tries to jerk away. I don’t let her slip from my hold.
“Prue. It’s okay. I’m sorry. It just took me by surprise.” I keep my voice as soothing as I can. “Can you look at me, baby?” She shakes her head. “Please?” I press, letting one hand touch her chin, tilting her head up.
Her eyes open. Sky blue hues peek up at me, as a few tears trickle down her face.
“I’m sorry I yelled.”
“I’m sorry I bit you.” Her voice is so low it nearly breaks my heart.
“That’s okay.” I offer her a smile. “It was kind of hot, to be honest.”
Her eyes roll, even though they are still filled with tears.
“I’m sorry,” she says again. “That you had to deal with him.”
“No. I’m sorryyouhad to deal with him,” I correct her, letting my thumb stroke her cheek. Her skin is so soft compared to my calloused fingers. Years of strumming the guitar made my fingers rough. Never bothered me before, but now I wish they were soft enough to offer her comfort.
“Thank you.” She nods.
“Are you okay?”
“No.” She laughs. “Not at all.”
“I mean are you physically hurt?”
“I’m fine.” She shrugs. “You should go. I feel bad for ruining your night.”
“There is not a chance in hell I’m leaving you here alone,” I say as she steps away from me.
“He has some event to go to. He isn’t coming back. I’ll be fine.”
“That is not a risk I’m willing to take.”
“I’m not your responsibility, Ben.”
“I know that,” I say, though at this moment she kind of feels like my responsibility. And I don’t mind it as much as I thoughtI would. I’m sure somewhere Wes is getting the sense of my impending doom. “But I owe you for last night.”
