Page 84 of Prove Me Wrong
She shakes her head, letting go for it, allowing it to fall back against her collarbone. “My therapist gave it to me to wear as a reminder that there’s more to me than what happened. That even though I went through something awful, it’s only a small part of my life, and that I should be able to move on from it, however long that takes.”
My eyes glaze over with tears as she stares at me, eyes heavy with affliction, but there’s a spark of hope running through her wide pupils. “Grey…”
Mia shakes her head again, and I stop, my mouth slightly parted. “I’m working through it, but slowly, and I hate that it still controls my life, but since I met you, Noah, it’s been getting easier.”
My mouth curls faintly as her hands glide up my obliques, to my chest and then the small tattoo on my bicep. I almost forgot it was there; I haven’t looked at it in months, but the reminder feels like a rock in my heart.
“It’s the date Em died, and Jade’s birthday,” I murmur.
I hear her breath hitch as a fingertip moves along my rough skin like silk. Her touch is like nothing I’ve felt before, soft and meaningful, like Mia sees more of me than just my body. She can see down to my soul, holding whatever I have left in her palms as if it’s precious.
Her tongue swipes her bottom lip when she asks, “Did you name her Jade after Emerald?”
My chin dips. “Yeah. As a way to remember her that wasn’t Jade’s birthday.”
Mia sniffs, glassy eyes colliding with mine. My hands grab her face, bringing her to mine once more. Kissing her feels abating and fervent. I could do it all day if she’d let me. Lips moving with mine, tongues mingling, fingers gripping and exploring, I inhale the jasmine of her perfume that tingles my nose pleasantly. Hands digging into her narrow waist, mouth loosening, eyes shut, I enjoy the feeling of her against me, knowing that her guard is finally down. That Mia finally trusts me enough to share the ghosts of her past with me.
And even though her thoughts have overpowered her into believing that nobody will want her, that men will see her as weak and broken, I have never wanted her more. To hold her close and never let her go.
My hands run down her legs, feeling the smoothness of her thighs like satin. I hear her breathing pick up once more. Movement stilling, chest skipping a beat, my eyes open to see hers watching me.
I move my head back, breaking our kiss. “I won’t touch you until you’re ready, Grey.”
Nodding, her fingers wipe under her eyes, dragging makeup and tears away as her lips keep trembling. “Why are you being so patient with me, Noah?”
My burning throat is quenched as I swallow, mouth twitching to one side. I push hair out of her stunning face. “Because I love you, Mia.”
I feel her entire body stiffen on top of mine, her breath hitching. Mia’s charcoal eyes stare into mine, lips parted with shock.
“You don’t have to say it back,” I let out quickly before she slips away from me. “But I wanted you to know that I want to be with you, if you want to be with me.”
Her throat moves, eyes dancing between mine as if she can’t grasp the fact that someone could love her without using her, without touching her body. Mia’s face breaks, just like my chest, but not because she didn’t say it back. It’s because she’s finally realising that I’m nothing like that prick of an ex. That I want to be with her despite her fears and reluctance.
I’ll always be patient with her, for as long as she needs me to be because I have well and truly fallen for this girl. I just hope that I’ve proven her wrong that I’ll love her until my heart stops beating.
Chapter Thirty-Two
MIA
Ifeel drained of energy this morning. There are no tears left in my body from how long I cried against Noah, never wanting to leave him last night. Being wrapped up in his arms, fingers gliding along his bare chest, touching the tattoo that revealed more to me than I ever would have thought possible, I realised he is just as traumatised as I am deep down.
My walls were brought down last night, but I don’t regret letting them fall. Opening up to him was somehow daunting and freeing at the same time. But he’s so gentle with me, patient and kind, and when Noah told me he loves me, I think my heart stopped beating. It took my breath away, because the last time I heard that, it was the biggest lie. It shattered me, made me fall into the pit of darkness I've struggled to get out of for the past three years, but when Noah spoke those words, there wasn’t even a hint of a lie in them.
I couldn’t say it back; there was something stopping me. As much as I hated it, I couldn’t bring those words out of my mouth. He said everything I wanted to hear. That I’m not used, or broken, or insufficient. I don’t want something to hold me back; I want to fall into his arms and never look back, but the ringing in my mind keeps chiming.
Exhaling slowly, that very ring blares out loud, pulling me from my thoughts. I stare at my phone and groan. Answering it, I lift it to my ear, and Mum starts talking. “Finally, you answer. Why have you been avoiding me, Mia? I am your mum. I gave birth to you, and now you just ignore me over a breakup three years ago?”
My groan echoes as I walk down the street. It’s cold and overcast, but the rain has held off this morning as I trudge along in my coat. “Hi, Mum,” I rasp out before clearing my throat. “And I picked it up now.”
“Yes, after a few months.” Her tone is curt, rubbing my neck the wrong way. “I had to go through your brother, and essentially he told me you were still alive.”
“Well, he didn’t lie,” I answer, not trying to be snarky, but she takes it that way.
She huffs a hollow laugh before adding, “So, when are you coming back home?”
My jaw ticks. “I’m not sure, Mum.”
She grunts, and I can’t tell if she’s annoyed or impressed. “Sinnett told me about the interview you have this Wednesday with a design company. I have to say, even though I am disappointed that you didn’t follow through with Law, I am happy that you’re doing something with your life, and this job does sound promising.”
