Page 54 of Twisted Hearts

31Aaron

I knockedon the hotel door and waited for the occupant to answer. The line of light above the thick burnt-orange curtains in the wide dusty window let me know that someone was inside.

My hard knock made the door vibrate as the sound of insects congregating in the nearby woods buzzed in my ears.

“Front desk,” I called out before my knuckles struck the door again.

I stepped away from the view of the peephole, hoping that the front desk attendant I’d questioned wasn’t one of those people that saw a person and forgot what they looked like five minutes later. I’d described Megan down to the part on the right side of her head that split her lengthy thick dark curls.

The shadow that passed across the peephole alerted me that someone was there at the door although I hadn’t heard any footsteps.

The click of the lock turning made my heartrate kick up a notch. Needing to know, anxiously waiting, I prayed it was Megan. When the door creaked open, the chain stopped it from going too far, but there was no mistaking those big beautiful brown eyes that searched through the crack, those lush, soft lips, and the soft tone of her voice.

“Can I help you?”

She jumped and staggered back and away from the crack in the door with her hand over her heart when I placed my face directly in front of hers.

“Open the door, Megan!” I was both angry and relieved.

She stood staring through the crack at me, mouth agape, hand shaking as it covered her heart.

I closed my eyes and sighed when she closed the door, and the chain sliding on the other side sounded. She stepped back and stood behind the door as she creaked it open. I didn’t rush in, although every cell in my body wanted to get her into my arms as quickly as possible.

The sight of her and the knowledge that I’d almost lost her had my body jittery with an anxiousness that had me breathing hard, almost gasping to get air into my lungs.

As soon as she closed and locked the door, I tugged her into my arms so fast that she released a muffled humph. I couldn’t control my shaking body as I encircled her in my arms. I squeezed her way too tight, but I was admittedly helpless when it came to this woman.

“I thought I’d lost you. Don’t do that shit to me again. I can’t fucking lose you, Megan.” I buried my face in her neck, savoring her sweet scent and the feel of her in my arms. I was beginning to think that she was my purpose for being alive. What other reason could I have for feeling this way about someone?

Her soft fluffy curls brushed over my stubbled face and neck, and I relished the feel of them sweeping over my skin. I craved the sparks Megan brought to my life, the tingles she sent racing up and down my spine, and even the all-consuming confusion and helpless state she had the ability to throw me into.

When I managed to release her from my tight grip, a stream of tears rolled down her cheeks. Hands that were way too delicate to be mine, cupped either side of her face, swiping away tears as I tilted her face up to meet mine.

“Megan. I don’t give a good goddamn who’s after you or why. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

“But...”

“There are no buts,” I stated firmly and with finality.

Her gaze searched mine. My glare pierced back into hers, attempting to get her to understand that I was not going to abandon her, no matter what.

“Promise me that you’re not going to leave me again, Megan. Please.”

It must have been the ‘please,’ a word I was not known for using often, if ever, that got her attention.

She shook her head as her tears began to fall quicker. I kept her face clinched in my palms until she said, out loud, what I wanted to hear.

“I won’t leave you again,” she forced out through her cracked voice. “I promise.”

At those words, she went crashing back into my chest as I pulled her in once more. How I’d gotten by without this woman in my life was a mystery that would likely take me a lifetime to figure out.

I couldn’t stop hugging her, my joy at finding her overwhelmed me, and I was unable get the build-up of emotions out of my system. I eased out of the hug, letting my lips brush her cheek before I captured her lips, tasting her salty tears.

It only took a moment for the sparks to ignite between us and for my tongue to go searching for hers. Only when my body threatened to give out from lack of oxygen, did I stop kissing her and leaned my forehead against hers.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen with this group hunting us. But, as long as we stick together Megan, we are going to be okay.” I paused, ensuring she let my words sank in. “Do you understand what I’m telling you?” I asked, waiting for her reply.

“Yes. You’re not going to let anything happen to me as long as we stick together,” spilled out in a low tone, but her words didn’t sound convincing enough for me.

---