Page 11 of Bleed Me

I wasn’t sure why I was convinced she was in danger, or why I believed she needed my protection, but the nagging sensation was very strong. It was actually growing; I was just too naïve to see it or understand what was coming.

“Kenny, are you awake?”

I chuckled. “Of course, I am.”

It was in the middle of the night as I stared at the beautiful golden-brown eyes caring for me. Delilah sat on my bed, affectionately wiping sweaty hair from my forehead, still holding my hand. Her warm body next to mine caused more reassurance that she was safe. The solace in the fact that she was protected, over time, became misconstrued and turned into a full-blown obsession…

I adoringly told her, “I need you safe.”

Delilah’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you. I am safe. You and Tuck make sure of it.”

The mention of her brother’s name suddenly disturbed me. I guess my expression showed my confusion because Delilah asked, “What is it?”

I blinked my eyes, trying to clear my thoughts of unwanted jealousy. Tucker had been the perfect brother to her and the best, best friend anyone could ever hope for. He didn’t deserve this betrayal.

So many signs were present, but if you don’t know what they are due to ignorance, then you don’t see them. Dark shadows from my past found their way into my present and future life.

At the time, I believed I had fallen asleep during my internal battle about Tucker because when I awoke, it was to Delilah lying next to me in my bed, watching me. It was a wish come true to have her so close, and it was adream come true when she kissed me. Her lips were as soft as butter when they caressed mine. It was a timid kiss, but oh so good. When she stopped, I smiled at her. We had just had our first kiss.

She hesitantly nodded. “Now, will you talk to me?”

What? “Of course, I’ll talk to you. What do you want to talk about?”

“You–We…” Delilah looked dumbfounded. “Kenny?”

I pulled her to me. “Yes, darlin’, what’s wrong?”

She cautiously said, “I thought you were mad at me.”

I touched her face, thinking she was a part of the heavens above. “Why would I ever be mad at you?”

“But you just… You rolled away from me.”

I quietly chuckled, not wanting to wake Tucker or her dad. “Uh, that happens when I sleep. I roll, darlin’.”

“S-Sleep?”

I wish I had heard her timid voice and realized something was tragically wrong, but instead, I squeezed her. “But I loved waking to you.”

“Wh–when did you sleep?”

I chuckled again, clueless to Delilah’s concern. “Just now. You okay? You look shaken up.”

She slowly nodded in thought. “Yeah, I’m a little shaken up.”

I rolled to my back and had her lay her head on my chest. “Do you want to stay with me? ‘Til ya feel better?”

I was surprised to feel her tears on my skin. Delilah whispered, “Yes, I would like to stay with you, Kenny.”

The next morning, I woke, disappointed that Delilah was gone, but I understood her not wanting her dad to find us breaking house rules. I eagerly got dressed and ready for the day, anticipating seeing her. Walking down the hall, I heard, “Can I talk to you?”

Tucker’s morning voice told me he was still in bed as he answered Delilah. “You okay?”

Knowing she was right there for the reaching, I rushed into his room. “Hey,” I said, pulling her into a strong hug. “Good morning.”

Because we were at the same height, her arms easily reached my neck. I just didn’t realize how slow they were moving, and how full of caution they were. “Kenny?”

Into the crook of her wonderfully smelling neck, I said, “Yes, darlin’.”