Tangled Love

"Emily? It's me, Jake."

Jake.

I blink away my blurred vision and begin to make sense of my surroundings. I'm lying on a double bed, the sheets crisp white and soft. The walls are painted a baby blue shade, the furnishings white to match the rest of the decor.

"Jake?" I say turning towards him, my voice shaking. I watch as he sighs heavily, his gaze dropping to the floor to avoid making eye contact with me.

Embarrassment fills my body and I sit up, stepping off the bed to leave the room.

"I have to go," I mumble, my mind disorientated and confused. My legs buckle underneath me weakly and I close my eyes, getting ready to meet the floor. Jake's hand flies out, circling around my waist. He guides me so I'm stuck between his legs, one on either side. I sigh and push on them in an attempt to be free but they don't move an inch.

"Stop struggling Emily, turn around."

His voice is quiet, smooth.

I turn around, my head hung low which caused my hair to fall over my face. I like it, it acts like a curtain to protect me. . . I think Jake knows my secret. Nobody else ever suspected a thing besides from Jake. I figured it out by the way he treats me, gentle and caring. He treats me this way because he knows my secret and he feels sorry for me.

The girl who's beaten by her stepdad.

up, hovering

slowly tilts my chin up until I'm looking directly into his eyes. They're soft and warm, completely opposite

time I'd seen him in the classroom. His thumb strokes my jaw and I sigh, completely content with the slightest bit of affection. Jake chuckles at

flaming up in embarrassment. My heart

lopsided smile. I feel my heart somersault and I open my mouth to reply. The words I really wanted to say are lodged deep inside my throat.

what's really on my mind. I walk around the room, stretching my legs

do that," Jake says suddenly, pushing himself off the bed and walking towards me. My eyebrows crease

ask innocently, my back hitting against the wall. Jake's eyes land directly on my

your lip

a thing I do when I'm nervous." I explain,

and combs back his dark

me. He leans down so his face hovers in

I lose the ability to act or talk like a normal

As he speaks, his warm breath fans my face and I swear, my legs

me and it won't bother you," I

maybe I won't stare," he smirks, barely hesitating with his response. I let out a small squeak at his words and immediately regret

move Emily.

I pull my lower

"Stop Emily."