Chapter 25
25
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
I don’t know how it’s possible to go from wanting Amelia naked across my kitchen island to fully dressed so I can somehow comfort her, but apparently it is. The look in her eyes now might as well be a bucket of arctic water splashing over my body.
Eyes that were full of lust and need for me a moment ago are now consumed with fear for her father. I watch her slender fingers tremble as she attempts to attach the clasps of her bra. I want to reach out physically but after what just happened in the kitchen, I need to keep my distance.
“What do you need?”
“I don’t know.” She says, leaning over to grab the shirt she wore earlier from the foot of the bed.
I don’t know if what happened in the kitchen changes anything between us but I do know that there has always been a need to be there for her. Even when I barely knew her, I felt the need to offer comfort or friendship to her. Forgetting the need to keep my distance from her, I take three long strides to her, giving her a second to pull her shirt on before pulling her body into mine.
I remember the moment in the pool when her hug had felt so alien and sudden that it had taken me by surprise but I couldn’t imagine a more grounded feeling than being held by her that day. I want to offer that to Amelia. Her body tenses at the invasion of personal space but eventually her body melts against mine. Her cheek rests against my chest and I can feel the trembling of her body ease as I hold her.
“I’m sorry.” She whispers.
The apology surprises me so much I grip her chin to angle her head up.
Her eyes had taken on a red tint from holding back the tears I’m sure are threatening to consume her and the sight of that rips into my soul. “What are you apologizing for?”
“Everything?” She shrugs.
“Well take it back because there isn’t a thing that warrants an apology.” I lean down and kiss her forehead.
A moment of silence passes as she allows herself to rest her head against my lips before pulling away. “I need to get dressed.” I release her from my hold so she can grab the rest of her clothes.
I don’t say anything else as I leave the room to allow her the space and privacy to finish changing. I walk across my living room, into my bedroom, and before I realize what I’m doing, I start to change as well.
“What are you doing?” Amelia asks as she watches me walk out of my room towards her dressed in a hoodie, blue jeans, and sneakers.
“Going with you,” I say flatly.
“You don’t have to. I already have an Uber on the way.”
“Cancel it.”
“Riley.” Amelia stands there staring at me, waiting for me to change my mind.
“Amelia.”
She lets out a huff of exasp eration. “You don’t need to drop me off, you know. I’m a big girl.”
I know she doesn’t want to be a burden to me and maybe even a bigger part of her feels the need to deal with this on her own, but I can’t stop myself from feeling like I have to be there with her. I don’t give Amelia the chance to argue, I grab my keys from the entryway table and am halfway in the hallway waiting to lock up by the time Amelia finishes canceling the request for a ride.