Beautifully Broken

“I. Can’t. Breath.” I manage to squeak out.

Rex jumps up and scoops me into his arms. Holding me tight against his chest, he runs through this room to the next and another after that, making his way across the house. I shake uncontrollably and try to wiggle free because the last thing I want is to be touched, but he pulls me closer. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to find a rhythm. Try to slow my heart rate and regain control of my body with slow, deep breaths.

Rex kicks open a door. Rings of a curtain scream as they slide across the road. Water breaks free, crashing on the ground. The sound bounces off the walls, echoing in what must be a smaller room. I force my eyes open. Slate blue tile. Silver fixtures. We’re in a bathroom.

Without waiting for the water to warm up, Rex carries me in. I gasp, the cold spray jolting air into my lungs. Shivering, I push my arms against his chest and wiggle free. He lets my legs drop, allowing me to stand, but stays by my side. Almost instantly my heart begins to slow. My breathing steadies, and I can think again.

Why did I not set my alarms?

I take a step back and look down at my toes. The water warms and swirls at our feet, dancing against the tile before slipping down the drain. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I thought I’d be okay, but your couch was so comfy and I just...” I sigh. I don’t want to ramble but feel as if I should explain, only I don’t know how. Not without telling him everything.

Rex takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting my gaze from his feet to his face. An electric tingle spreads through me, burning me up from the inside out. I don’t understand how he makes me feel this way. It’s exhilarating and terrifying because when each touch ends, I crave the next.

He gives a lopsided grin and shrugs. “It’s cool. I needed a shower anyway.”

“Did we…” I can’t bring myself to finish my sentence. The thought’s sickening. Not because Rex is unattractive. He’s one of the most handsome men I’ve ever met, but because I always thought the moment I got over my insecurities and chose to do anything with a man would be special, not a black hole in my mind.

“Oh! God no!” The relief I thought I’d feel is masked with disappointment. I suck in a breath, grateful nothing happened last night but the way Rex yelled no hurts. I must have made a face because his eyes widen. “Crap! No. Not like that. I mean, I’d love to fuck you. I mean...ugh.” Rex rubs at the back of his neck. “Shit.”

Tears of embarrassment, confusion, and disappointment dance on my lashes. Before I can turn away Rex reaches up and cradles my cheeks in his hands. “I’m fucking this up, Piper. I’m sorry. You make me nervous.”

I nod, a single drop of liquid disquiet breaking free. Rex pushes it away with his thumb and crouches down to be at eye level. “You fell asleep around one last night and woke up later screaming. I came downstairs to check on you. When you were calm again you asked me to stay. I laid beside you and ran my fingers through your hair until you fell asleep. I guess I did too and for that I’m sorry. But believe me, Piper, when I say that as much as I would love to make you mine in every way possible, I will never do anything until you ask me to.”

“Thanks.” I take a step back, freeing myself from his touch and leaving the warm shower’s spray. Out of everything I’m feeling right now, embarrassment is the reigning emotion. I made a fool out of myself last night, needing Rex to soothe me back to sleep. Then I woke up in a panic forcing him to save me yet again. On top of all this, I accused him of taking advantage of me. Can I just melt and be washed down the drain, please?

“Are you okay to get out or do you want to stay in the shower?”

I’m at war with myself, craving Rex’s touch yet wanting to push him away. I’ve set the tone that I’m an unstable mess, the perfect excuse to keep our distance, but for some reason all I want to do is redeem myself. I could use a few minutes to figure out my next move. “Would this shower be alone?”

Rex chuckles. “Of course.”

I step out of the bathroom wrapped in a cloud I never want to take off, but I need clothes. As amazing as the towel feels against my skin, I don’t want to be naked all day. Walking into the hallway, I’m lost. The house is a maze of rooms, most of which connect to each other, and I wasn’t paying attention to our path when Rex carried me in.

“Rex?”

“Hey, Piper,” he says rounding the corner, hands in the pockets of his grey boardshorts. A plain white tee hugs his chest and arms, highlighting each muscle. I don’t usually pay attention to how a guy dresses, but damn he looks good. “Feeling better?”

“Yes.” Words. Stop thinking about how amazing Rex looks and find your words! “Um…do you know where my bag is?”

“What bag?”

No. No. No! Please tell me I brought my bag. I couldn’t have forgotten it last night, wouldn’t have. “It’s a grey Nirvana shoulder bag. It’s literally my life.”

“You didn’t have a bag last night.”

Shoot. That means I left it in Cooper’s car. My bag. My extra clothes. My phone. I have nothing but a drenched school skirt and work shirt. “Perfect.”

Rex’s eyes shine brightly at me, a hint of danger playing in his smile. “I’m guessing you don’t want to hang out in a towel all day?”

I look down at my feet, my cheeks burning hotter than the sun. “Not really.”

“Want to go to the beach? You can be naked there,” he says with a grin the size of Texas. “I’ll even join you.”

Oh, God. Rex is thinking about me naked. He can’t see me naked! I’m not presentable. Wait… why am I worried about how I look? He will never see me naked.

I

bet he looks amazing naked, pure muscle and hard all over.