Page 9 of Under the Boardwalk

“I don't think I could if I wanted to,” I whisper back, not able to help but lean in as well.

The next second, he closes the gap between us and is kissing me. Softly at first, so softly I forget about my busted lip and cheek. That is until he leans farther in and grabs my hip. That causes me to wince, and he pulls back immediately.

“Shit, I swear I didn't mean to attack you. Fuck…” He starts to panic, but I'm holding my face with one hand and my hip with the other, trying to breathe through the pain. I'm just about to try calming him down when there's a bright flash, followed by screams as the tilt-a-whirl lights up the darkness from above us. I see the moment he gets a good look at my face.

“What the fuck? What happened to you?” he almost yells, causing me to wince and pull back from him. His eyes soften, and he takes a deep breath. “I'm sorry, Siren; I'm trying really hard to calm down, but someone hurt you, and that's making me a bit murderous right now.”

I relax at his words but stiffen again with his next question.

“I need to know what happened, Alina. Please.” It's the please that has me spilling the story. Well, most of it.

“I had just finished a double shift and was walking home from the diner. I tried to avoid the crowds. You know how the boardwalk can be sometimes this late.”

“Kids hyped up on sugar and parents too exhausted from the day to control the boogers,” he helpfully adds. I smile and nod before continuing.

“I took the alleyway behind the boardwalk. Before you say it, I know it was stupid, but I was tired and just wanted to go to bed. I took a turn and ran into m- some guy.” I stutter over my words, not wanting to mention that the person who attacked me was actually my brother. I try to hurry forward, hoping he doesn't notice the slip. “I turned the corner, and he was just there. He asked me for my money, all the tips I made that night. I should have just given them to him, but I was so angry and tired of being pushed around that I told him no. Let's just say he didn't take that answer well. When I tried to run, he attacked me. I was in so much pain I barely remember what happened after. He took my money, and then I stumbled my way here.”

I break off as the tears gather in my eyes again. I can't stand the thought of him seeing me this beaten and broken. I don't want to add tears and snot to the mix.

“Again, I know you're leaving some parts out, but right now, I just really need to take care of you. Will you trust me to do that? I just want to get you somewhere safe and get you cleaned up and comfortable,” he asks softly. I can see the sadness in his eyes. It's not pity, which is the only reason I reach out and place my hand in his. He helps me to my feet, but when I stumble from the tiredness and dizziness, he doesn't hesitate to lean down and pick me up in his arms.

My body feels so safe and protected in his arms that I don't even notice where we are until he places me on a counter next to a bathroom sink. I recognize the coloring of the wallpaper in bed-and-breakfast, which only confuses me. I know he’s worked here for a long time, but I don’t understand why he would bring me here. But right now, my tired brain can't think of anything but sleep. I don't even wake up as he cleans my cuts and scrapes.

The only thing I remember is feeling safe and cared for. I smile and fall asleep as he places me down on the soft bedding. I dream of his eyes, and in my dreams…

I'm finally seen.

Chapter Eight

Riley

After pulling back the sheets and setting Alina in the bed, she falls asleep immediately. I make sure she stays asleep before making my way back to the bathroom. I clean the tissues and bandages off the counter before wiping everything clean and setting everything to rights. After I finish, I lean against the counter and let my head fall to my chest.

How could I have simply ignored her for so long? How did I miss her? She was right there this whole time. Just waiting for me to take my head out of my ass and notice her. All those novels I read seem so much smaller, less important suddenly. With a jolt, I realize I'm still sitting in here stewing about what could have been and who might have hurt her when I could be with her.

I rush through a quick shower before drying off, and then quickly redressing. Coming out of the bathroom, I notice she's still in the same spot I left her. I smile as I slide into the bed beside her. Taking in every feature of her delicate face, I start to wonder. How could this beautiful creature ever call herself a wallflower?

From her rich golden brown hair, to the long dark eyelashes I know cover sea-foam green eyes, to the small freckles that line her nose and cheeks. I was holding her in my arms, and she seemed so light. I could have carried her for miles. I was honestly dreading the trip to end. I push a price of hair out of her face and she sighs deeply before smiling softly. I could stare at her for the rest of my life and not get bored.

Before too long, my eyes drift shut, and I don’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until the next morning. Somehow, I’ve moved to my back and Alina has nearly crawled on top of me. She’s snuggled up on my chest, and I can feel her hair all over me. All I can do is smile. Slowly, I move her hair and then try to subtly move her body over to the middle of the bed. We don't have the best breakfast here, but the diner is right down the road. I can run out and get her some… fuck, what would she like to eat? Would she even want to eat at the diner? If I worked there day in and day out, I'm not sure I'd want to eat there on my day off. Hell, is it even her day off? I'm pretty confident she wouldn't be on the morning shift because she got off so late last night. I decide to run to the small kitchen here in the inn and get her a variety of the things we serve here. When I return to the room, I notice her eyes moving.

“Siren,” I say softly. Trying to wake her softly. I place the tray down on the bedside table and rub my thumb under her eye. She sighs and smiles softly, so I do it again. I love the feel of her skin under mine; it is so soft and silky.

“Siren.”

“Mmhhmm,” she mumbles in reply, slowly opening her eyes. At first, she smiles as she sees me leaning over her. Then she must realize it’s not a dream, because I watch her eyes quickly snap open in surprise.

“Morning, my beautiful Siren. Hungry?” I ask, giving her a smile in return. Slowly, she sits up in bed before rubbing her fists in both her eyes and blinking widely at me again. Like she can't believe I'm real.

“So last night really happened?” She almost winces as I nod my head.

“That it did, Siren, and we’ll get to all that in a bit, but first. You need some breakfast,” I tell her, taking the tray and placing it on the bed beside her. “Pick your poison.”

She smiles at me and then giggles before picking up a bagel and chocolate milk. I sit and watch her eat the whole bagel, a ham and cheese omelet, and a banana. By the time she finishes, she’s leaned back with her hand on her full stomach and a smile on her face. I smile softly at first, too, then take another look at her bruised, cracked cheek and lips. I need to find out what happened. I won’t be able to concentrate on anything else until I know whoever touched her is either behind bars or dead. At this point, it couldn't care less one way or the other.

“Siren,” I say to get her attention. She sighs in happiness before looking my way. Looking at my face, she straightens her body and bows her head.

“Alina, baby, look at me.” I ask her gently when she does, “I think we need to go to the cops about this. I should have taken you to the hospital last night to get checked over. They could have had the cops there to question you,” I ramble, more to myself than to her.

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