Page 59 of Nodus Tollens
“Like ice skates?” Her brows lowered, and I couldn’t help but grin at the cute little wrinkles that appeared on her forehead.
“Yeah, Blue. Have you ever gone ice skating before?”
She shies away from me as her eyes leave mine for a moment.
“No, I’m not exactly the most graceful on my feet.”
Why does that make her even more adorable to me? My clumsy girl in a pair of skates, trying to stay on her feet, and me holding her hand and catching her before she fell on her ass. Thinking about it, I’m kind of glad she doesn’t know how to skate.
“Don’t worry, I’m an excellent teacher.” I smirked.
“I have two left feet.” She chuckled quietly. “So don’t be surprised if you can’t teach me.”
“That’s alright. I’ll just have to have a good grip on your waist, then.” I give her hips a gentle squeeze, causing her body to fall further into mine. “Make sure you don’t get hurt.”
“You can’t hold me the entire time.” She scoffed as if the idea sounded ridiculous to her. I, of course, didn’t find anything wrong with it.
“To keep you safe, I will.”
Her chestnut eyes search mine, and all amusement on her face has vanished. Instead, it’s replaced with awe.
“You can’t protect me from everything, Hayes.” She frowned. Then, lowering her head, she placed the side of her face just below my shoulder, where she snuggled in close.
I hated that she was right. I couldn’t protect her from everything, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to try. For her, I would do anything.
“I can try, Blue.” I lay my cheek on top of her head and let my body relax. With her here like this, tucked away under my arms, she was in the safest place in the world. With me. Nothing and no one would ever harm her, and for once, after meeting Blue, I felt relieved.
Relieved that she was mine.
God…
This beautiful fucking girl was mine, and I knew tonight was going to be the start of something new. Something life-changing, and I couldn’t fucking wait.
15
WREN
Iwas restless all day.
Anxious, nervous, all of the above. I wanted to lock myself in my bathroom and strip off this ridiculous outfit Kate dressed me in. Nothing of what I was wearing was from my own closet. I was wearing a short white skirt with a slight slit up the side, some black see-through tights, and a crop top black sweater. Though I could see myself wearing the top, possibly. The bottoms were way out of my comfort zone. I found myself constantly pulling the skirt down as if that would help with my insecurity, but when Kate saw my reflection in the mirror, she halted my movements entirely.
“Stop nitpicking your outfit. You look amazing.” She scaled her eyes down my body and rested her chin on my shoulder.
“I’m not nitpicking.” I sighed. “I’m just not used to wearing clothes like this.”
A sliver of my belly was showing, and as I went to yank my shirt down, Kate gave my hand a tight smack.
“Look at yourself, Wren. I mean truly look at yourself and tell me what you see.”
I hated these mind games she always managed to play with me because I knew, in the end, it was going to somehow make sense and work. So, dragging my eyes from hers, I began to assess myself. It was harder than it looked when I had no clue where to start. Especially when I felt her eyes intently watching my every move. Then shifting my feet, I sighed and started my focus at the bottom. The chunky black boots were mine. Kate had found them tucked away in my closet and demanded I wear them. In all honesty, they did look good in the outfit, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. Then, I traced my stare over the black nylons that encased my exposed legs. It felt strange having them out, but as I made my way up to my waist, I couldn’t help but admire how my body looked. I wasn’t one to brag or boast, but behind all the baggy clothes I normally wore was the body of a woman. I’ve stayed hidden for so long. Not once had I even looked at myself to see how beautiful I really looked. My stomach wasn’t entirely flat, my legs were a little too short, and my shoulders were slightly too wide, but for some reason, my flaws made me feel even more beautiful tonight. But it wasn’t just beauty that I saw staring at. It was strength.
Not once had I thought about my heart. Not once had I thought of the inevitable. All that preoccupied my mind was Hayes and the possibilities of us. Every now and then, I would find myself touching my lips, remembering just how perfect his mouth felt pressed against mine. Even though it was our first kiss, it felt as though we’d been doing it for years. Electricity rippled between us. A sensation like no other flooded my brain and soul, and at that moment, I swore I would never kiss another man in my lifetime. Maybe it was the heat of the moment, but ever since he catapulted himself into my life, all rational thinking went out the window. I couldn’t think straight in his presence. I couldn’t think straight even when he wasn’t around me, and for some reason, I just accepted it. I’ve accepted the fact that my head was never going to think clearly whenever he was around. Even my heart was completely screwed.
Hayes Decker managed to somehow bury himself into my skin, then, with each passing day, he embedded every dimpled smile, every cute message, and every gift he left at my door until all my thoughts and dreams were filled with only him. I was falling. Without notice, without warning, I was helpless to the fact I was falling hard for a man that deserved much more than what I could give him.
God, I could only imagine the lucky woman who would get the chance to grow old with him. It made my stomach churn with envy just thinking about it. Would he give them gifts and unknowingly make their day with cute messages?
Why did I want to be the only girl that got Hayes’ sweet side?
