Tangled Love

I turn the shower off and pause for a moment, closing my eyes. Lately everything around me has been moving at lightning speed so a taking a second or two to collect my thoughts makes me feel better. I step out of the shower and notice my phone screen flashing with numerous messages. I reach over and pick it up, reading the first message —

Where the hell are you Emily ? Mum

I quickly type out a response, my features scrunched up in frustration at the screen —

I've left home. Im not living with Trevor or you anymore. Bye Mum.

It's nice to regain control of my life after having it spin out of control for so long. I hope Mum understands that I'm doing this for myself and my safety. The next message is from an unknown number and I pause, a familiar feeling of dread washing over me.

You need a man to love you Emily, not a little boy.

I sigh heavily, feeling the pressure building up inside my head as a headache begins to brew.

Who are you? GO AWAY.

I hesitate before sending the text, uncertain whether I'm making the right decision. Should I completely ignore him or show him that I'm not scared? I send the text and don't expect his response to be almost immediate but it is.

It is not the right time. I will never go away. . . Not until you're mine.

him to the back of my mind. No way do I

my hair and secure it into a high ponytail. I step into my fluffy bedtime slippers and head downstairs for a warm glass of milk to end my night.

little before realising who it is. His scent wraps all around me and the tension in my body completely disappears. I sigh

back the smile and turn around, looking up into his blue eyes.

can't get enough of me lately Melvin." I smile sweetly at him.

"I can't help it when you're covered in bright pink love hearts."

He chuckles lightly before taking the glass of milk from my hand. I barely have a second to protest as he tilts it upwards,

gives me an

Muffin. These bad boys don't feed themselves you know." He winks, flexing his right arm. The

thing that shoots right up when you're around."

splutter in shock and my mouth falls open as I stare wide eyed at Jake. He shrugs casually in response, his lips twitching upwards

Jesus!" I yell after him, reaching for the milk to heat another glassful. His laughter fills the air causing me to bite back my own

thinking everyone must be sleeping by now. I pull open the door and find Jake leaning against my door frame, fully dressed. He's wearing a plain

potato. A potato

smile, my heart fluttering inside my chest. His blue eyes are sparkling and a small smile plays on his lips. He lifts a finger to his lips, shushing me before entering my room. I take a step back and swallow, watching as he quietly shuts my bedroom door over before spinning around. As he turns, his intoxicating scent hits me and I physically swoon.

"Jake, it's midnight. Are you crazy?"

inside his pockets. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise

surprise Muffin, get dressed." Jake instructs me, pushing his hand through the strands of his soft