Page 61 of Something New

I splash a little milk into each mug and a spoon of sugar, then carry them both back to the armchair, sitting down. She takes the mug from me and sips it, testing the heat.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” I ask, wondering if I hurt her.

“I’m alright.” She says, touching her fingertips against her lips.

I grab her jaw and turn her face towards me. The red mark is still there. A tinge of guilt and a surge of lust hits me at the same time. I love to see my mark on her. But I don’t want to cause her pain she doesn’t enjoy.

I lean back in the chair.

“Why were you watching me?” She asks, her eyes piercing into me.

“Because I needed to make sure you were ok. I haven’t heard from you today.”

“You could have messaged me.”

“Why didn’t you do anything when you saw me outside your window?” I turn the question back onto her.

She bites her lips and sighs. “I - I don’t know.”

“Hayley was here earlier. What did you guys talk about?”

“Life. Work. Things I’m worried about.” She shrugs.

“What are you worried about, Nerissa?”

She takes another sip of tea and then puts the mug down on her bedside table.

“Everything.” She huffs, throwing her hands in the air.

I shake my head. “Didn’t I tell you that as long as you are with me there is nothing, I won’t do for you?”

“And I told you I don’t believe in fairytales.” She pulls her mouth to the side.

A chuckle falls from my lips. “Sweet girl, this isn’t a fairytale. I am very real, and I am sitting right here - and I will do anything for you.”

She squints at me, and I can see her thoughts fluttering across her eyes. She wants to believe me, but something is holding her back.

“Talk to me.” I say, reaching out and touching her leg.

“I don’t know why everyone is turning down my applications to work at their law firms. I don’t know what to do with my life if the thing I studied becomes useless because no one will hire me.”

“I can talk to some people I work with and get you a job if that will make you happy.”

“I don’t want someone to give me a job just because of your influence. I want to earn it for myself.” She sighs. “What happens when you get bored with me and walk away - what happens to me then? I get sacked.”

“Get bored with you? Are you crazy? It’s been seven years since I met you and not a single day has gone by when I haven’t wanted you. Why would that change, little bird?”

I put my tea down and sit on the bed next to her. Wrapping my arms around her waist I pull her against me. The pillow falls from her lap, and she leans into me, letting me hold her. Her heart is calmer now. I can still feel the steady rhythm of it against my body, but she is no longer afraid of me. I stroke my hand down her back, letting my fingers thread through her hair.

“Nerissa, whatever challenges life throws at us - I want to face them together. I want us to be together.”

“But you come from such a different world to me. Our lives are not the same. You never have to worry about money or whether you’ll be ok in the future.”

“And when you are with me, you won’t have to worry about that either.”

She wiggles in my arms so that she can lift her head and look up at me. Her hazel eyes look dark green in the soft light. As beautiful as ever. I place my finger beneath her chin, then lean down to kiss her. Her lips are warm against mine and as soon as my mouth locks over hers I want her all over again.

I pull her onto my lap, wrapping her legs around my hips.

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