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.

hand reaches up, hovering

he whispers. I stop breathing from his words, my heart beating wildly against my chest. He slowly tilts my chin up until I'm looking directly into his eyes. They're soft and warm,

cold and dangerous as the first 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 my reaction, his stomach vibrating

in embarrassment. My

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

back away from his legs, building up the courage to let him know what's really on my mind. I walk around the room,

bed and walking towards

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

bite your lip

I do when I'm nervous." I explain, chuckling

me, closing the space between us. His hand reaches up and combs back his dark hair, leaving me melting from the way his biceps tense.

He leans down so his face

"N-nothing" I stutter, cursing myself silently. Whenever I'm around Jake, I lose the ability to act or talk like

it," Jake mutters, his eyes flickering between mine and my lips. As he speaks, his warm breath fans my face and

bother you," I shot back, my

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

Nice move Emily.

my lower lip into

Emily."