Page 44 of The Bones We Break
We drive back in comfortable silence, my hand laying claim on her thigh, her head resting against the window. The roads are relatively quiet as my eyes wander, looking over at Ana every so often and I’m constantly taken aback by her beauty. The way the morning sun shines over her midnight hair, the bluish hues that run through the strands remind me of a deep, dark ocean, one that I would happily drown in if it meant that she would keep me forever. There’s a slight bump in her nose that I never noticed before, it’s perfectly imperfect, and her long, thick lashes flicker every time she blinks, causing small shadows to land on her face across her freckles. My eyes follow down to her plump lips, across her jaw and down her slender neck. The bruises that painted her skin are no longer visible.
She’s like the sun, if I stare too long I know she’ll blind me. But I’ll happily lose my sight if it meant that her face was the last thing that I saw. The thought alone frightens the life out of me,at how quickly I’m becoming obsessed with her, infatuated by her, In love.. With her. My feelings for Ana are beginning to run deep, digging straight into the marrow of my bones. I know she has feelings for me, whether she wants to admit it or not but I know she’s struggling with them, these emotions and thoughts are probably so foreign to her and she’s unsure on how to deal with them but I can be patient. I can be good for her and wait. If that’s what she needs.
It takes us around half an hour or so to get back from the hospital. Ana hasn’t said much but she hasn’t pushed my hand away from her thigh either so I’ll take that as a good sign. The vibrant green tree line of my property comes into view, the dense tree’s encapsulating the cabin house in the centre. Ana lifts her head from the window and sits forward in her seat, her eyes wide in awe.
“This is where you live?” She says turning to face me. A light chuckle slips free at her reaction but a sad thought quickly takes over as I can only imagine how dull and grey her life has been. How colourless and blank the pages of her story are. I want to bring so much vibrancy back into her life that it practically explodes from her.
I begin the short drive down the gravel path. “Yep. Pretty much since my last job went south. I needed something to do with my hands so after opening the garage I got to work on building the cabin.” The cabin in question comes into view, the rich green grass surrounding it. The bright sun beams off the oak wood panels and logs. Her amazed gaze flits between me and the cabin, unsure of which to focus on the most. She chooses me.
Her hand comes to rest on my thigh this time, the one single touch brings my skin to life. Ana’s soft voice filters through the car, her wide eyes dance across my face. “Will you tell me aboutyour old job sometime?” She asks so innocently, so genuine. Just the thought of telling her how my last job went south has a cold sweat spreading out over my once hot skin. I can sometimes still hear the bullet firing out of the gun next to my ear, the glass shattered into a thousand pieces before it hit that innocent child. I’ll never forgive myself for that for as long as I live.
“Dean? Is everything okay?” I didn’t even realise that I hadn’t answered her back.
“Huh? Yeah, sorry. Everything is fine. I’ll tell you about it sometime.” The words slip out with ease, without even thinking, my voice on complete autopilot. She looks at me for a second longer and I can sense there’s a million questions running through her mind but she doesn’t press it any further. I honestly don’t think I’m ready to fully break down in front of her when I’m trying to be the support system she needs to overcome her own challenges. She simply squeezes my thigh and waits for me to pull the truck up at the side of the cabin.
Pulling to a stop I cut the engine, the silence heavy between us, and I can see a sense of worry in her face at my silence. It would be cruel for me to keep her in the dark considering she poured her soul out to me. I won’t give her the full story, she’s not ready for that and to be honest, I don’t think I am, but I tell her what I can.
I clear my throat, my voice cracking. “I’m sorry for my little meltdown just then, it’s just that I’ve never really had to speak about my old job before, I’ve just kind of locked it away and never opened that box. Until now. Until you.” She moves her hand away from my thigh and takes a hold of my hand instead, her fingers intertwined with mine, and I smooth my thumb over her skin in a back and forth motion. “You don’t have to tell me you know. I know how hard it can be to open up about yourissues so don’t think I’m forcing you to do this.” She speaks with so much love and kindness that it’s hard to believe how fucking shit she’s been previously treated. Lifting her hand, I bring it to my lips and kiss her knuckles one by one.
“You have no idea how incredible you are, do you? How brave and strong you are.” I can’t stop the compliments that fly from my mouth but I mean every single word. A flush blooms across her cheeks and she dips her head to hide her face but I don’t let her get too far, tipping her chin back up again to meet mine. “Don’t go shy on me now, pretty girl.” She laughs, the sound flutters through the inside of the truck.
“I’m not as shy as you think I am.” A flirty tone to her voice. I can’t wait to test that theory.
“I don’t wanna ruin this mood we’ve got going on by me complaining about my old job so how’s about we head inside instead? I promise you can interrogate me another time. I might even let you cuff me to make it feel real.” I shoot her a wink, a heated gaze shines in her eyes.
“I don’t think you should tempt me with a good time.”
The sparring match between us is electric. Neither of us are willing to back down from the back and forth flirting. Ana slips her hand out of mine and escapes from the truck, her feet landing hard on the gravel. She places one hand on her hip, the other on the open truck door. The sun beaming down on her.
“You comin’ hotshot?” She throws out before closing the door and making the short walk up to the porch steps, turns back to face me, her hands resting on her luscious hips and her head tipped to the side, the thick black locks falling over one shoulder.
Fuck. She looks like an absolute wet dream right now standing in front of my house, even in her battered clothes shestill looks incredible and it’s taking me all my willpower not to throw her over my shoulder and strip her bare in the shower.
“I’m coming.” I shout back to her.I have a feeling I will be later too, in my own hand.
Lyla comes bounding towards us once we enter the cabin, the excitement radiates off her. “Easy baby girl.” She jumps up, her massive paws landing on my chest with a thump. I run my hands over her head and ears, showering her with affection after my abrupt departure. As if I’m not even in the room, her wide brown eyes lock on to Ana the moment she sees her standing behind me, instantly disregarding me. Ana wastes no time in dropping down to her knees and opening her arms wide for Lyla. The moment they connect I feel my heart expand in my chest. The instant bond they have with each other is heartwarming and I’m glad that she’s able to find another source of comfort.
Lyla pretty much saved my life. I owe her everything and now I know she’s able to do the same for Ana too.
“Oh, I missed you so much!” Ana speaks in a perfect baby tone that’s only meant for dogs and well, Lyla soaks that shit right up. Her fluffy tail wags and wags to the point you could probably run the electricity off of it, and she tries to curl her large body into Ana’s lap, failing miserably, constantly sliding off her thighs.
“Let’s go, you two.” Ana looks up at me from her position on the floor and my mind instantly pictures her completely naked, kneeling before me, her hands gripping my thighs as she takes my cock in her perfect mouth. I have to turn away to hide the growing erection that’s currently tenting my pants.
“Come on Lyla, dad’s told us we have to quit it.” Ana teases behind me, her voice so light and well, joyful. A chuckle slipsfree as I drop my head into my hand at her comment, I already know these two will be the death of me.
Turning to face Ana again, with Lyla sat directly at her feet, her once pale face already has a hint of colour returning back to it. “Let me show you around and then you’re more than welcome to shower, freshen up a bit and I’ll make us something to eat?” I tip my head towards the hallway that leads to the bedrooms and bathroom. “Yeah, I’d like that.” She murmurs and I begin to show her around the cabin.
First, I bring her to a spare bedroom, the space bare but warming. A king size bed sits in the centre of the room, the walls are painted a light cream colour and a plush grey carpet lines the floor. The afternoon sun beams through the window, the orange hue covering the bed in a warm glow. There’s also a set of drawers lined up against the wall, a thought instantly fills my mind as I look at them, hoping that Ana wants to stay long enough that she will fill them with everything she wants to. I shun the thought away as quickly as it came and bring Ana into the open space.
“This is your room. Everything is pretty much brand new.” I don’t know why I’m telling her that bit of information, maybe because I want her to know that she’s the only woman I’ve ever had here, not including Eli’s wife and my nieces but still, the point stands. Ana walks further into the room, her fingers brushing over the drawers, then the bed until she comes to a stop in front of the window, the sun beaming down onto her. I lean against the doorway, my arms folded over my chest as I take her in. Snapping a mental picture of her right here at this moment, as she rests her hands on the windowsill.
“It really is beautiful here Dean.” Her voice is so full of awe and wonder.
“Yeah, it is.” I mumble, my eyes never leaving her.
“This is too much though, Dean. I can find a motel to stay in somewhere. You’ve already done so much for me.” She turns to leave the window, her arms wrapped around her middle, and I immediately step away from the door frame and fill the space, my shoulders touching either side of the wooden frame. She stops in front of me, her head tipping backwards to look at me as I step closer into her space. She stands her ground, lifting her chin and fuck me, it’s a sight to see. I could so easily overpower her, but what she doesn’t realise is that she’s the one who’s bringing me to my knees.
Slowly, carefully, I unfold my arms and take her jaw in my hand to pull her closer to me. She comes willingly. “You could find somewhere else to stay. You could leave here and never come back but what I think you’ve forgotten in that pretty little head of yours is that I will find you. No matter where you go, whether it’s down the street or the other side of the planet, I’ll find you. And do you want to know the best part mama?” I speak in a low tone. My face inches from hers, her warm breaths pant against my skin. Her pink fucking lips part, that wet tongue running over the ridges of her teeth as she nods her head once, her jaw still locked in the grip of my hand. I graze my lips across her cheek, barely a whisper over her skin until I reach the shell of her ear. “You’ll want me to find you.” Her breath hitches at my threat. Ana freezes the moment I plant a soft kiss under her ear and I immediately think I’ve pushed her too far but when she tips her head to the side to allow me access, I let out a sigh of relief. Her skin is so soft between my lips, her natural taste dancing across my tongue and I relish in her flavour, then step away from her and turn to leave the bedroom, before stopping at the threshold. Turning my face, I tip my head over my shoulder, noticing she’s still in the same spot I left her in.
