Page 61 of The Breaking Pointe
I guess you can say he’s quite convincing.
Though I find it hard to believe he was ever out of shape, or different than he is now. I would think it takes longer than some years to achieve such statures, but evidently, that’s incorrect, and I am one biased, judgmental woman.How can I not question it if he makes himself so mysterious?I wanttoinvestigatehismindfurther,andmaybeIwantto
be around him for that reason, mainly. Only if he lets me. “I’msorryifIscaredyou,”Coltonsays,grippingathis
chopsticks as he watches me furiously struggle with the handle placement of mine.
“Sorry?”I sigh, smiling as if none of my struggling is noticeable.
“If I scared you away, I apologize.I’m being pretty bold,” he says, taking a slow bite of sushi.He chews it, and I nod, resuming my tense face of concentration as I flop each chopstick around between my fingers.
He steadily looks me up and down for a moment. “Do you need a hand?” A small chuckle follows his words.
My eyes raise to meet his glance, slowly nodding. “If you wouldn’t mind.”
He sets his sticks down, and his tray as well, wiping off his hands before he takes hold of one of mine.
“I thought you said you liked sushi,” he says softly, controlling my fingers so that they fit perfectly around the chopsticks.
“I…I do. I eat them with my fingers,” I sheepishly admit. “Well, I can show you, okay?”he says, scooting closer to me, wrapping his other arm around me, his voice harboring
close to my ear.
I don’t know if he was using some fancy magic to lead me, or if his teachings were actually registering in my brain, but in a matter of seconds, a piece of sushi levitates toward my mouth, my fingers finally getting it right.
“Look at you, you’re a pro,” he praises, watching me chew like a chipmunk, shaking my head left and right.
Come to think of it, he didn’t have to be sorry about anything.Hemightberecklessinaring,buthe’sgentle
whenhetouchesme,andthat’swhatI’velongedfor.
I can’t believe I walked around this town without knowing this feeling for this long.
“I should apologize, not you,” I say, finishing my bite as I partially cover my mouth. “I wanted to say something— after getting over my initial fear.I was afraid of the out- come,” I add, setting my plate down.
His eyes waver over my face, listening to every word. “Youdidn’tdoanythingwrong,andyoumademefeel
somethingthatI’vebeenmissing.”
Hisheaddropsbeforehiswordscomeout.“Daniel… Is it something with him?Should I…back off?”he asks cautiously.
“No,” I say, resting my hand on his leg. “If you do, then… I might never know what it’s like to have a good person around, for once.Other than my roommate.”I lower my voice. “I don’t miss him, and I would like for him to see me doing better than I ever have, if I’m being honest. It would give me a taste of strength.”
His hand lays over mine.
“He doesn’t instill that sort of fear in me, but I sense he does for you. Why?”
Becausehe’sbig,scary,andrunningondrugs,Cole.
“Daniel is someone who values control over anything else. I was his object.”I nod slowly.“When I look back at it, I know that he never loved me. He made me feel stupid, and made my dreams seem criminal.”
Colton’s jaw stiffens at the last sentence, holding my hand tighter.
“You know that’s not true, right?He’s full of shit, in every way.”
“Sure, I know now,” I agree, quickly, looking at our plates of sushi.
“I’m not a freak in that nature, Noelle. You don’t need to be scared of me.” His hand raises, brushing under my chin and lifting my head to make me look into his eyes.“But I am pretty sensitive, and I hate it. Good luck with that part.” His cheek tightens into a half-smile.
