Free Alive (Mended Hearts #1) by Beth Maria Page A

wasn’t what I was aiming for. I just wanted to buy her something that will make her remember what she did today every time she looks at the toy. Not make her fucking cry! I’m such a stupid son of a bitch. I don’t know her well enough to know what she likes. For all I know, it could be triggering some painful memory right now, and it’s my entire fault. “Please don’t cry. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking buying you that. I don’t even know you well enough to know what you like. And now look. You’re crying. This isn’t how I expected you to react,” I tell her, getting angry with myself.
    “Jesse, stop. I’m crying... I don’t even know why I’m crying , but this is the most thoughtful present I’ve ever received. Thank you.” Maisie scoots over on the seat toward me. Wrapping her tiny arms around my neck, she gives me a hug. I’m so shocked that I can’t move. It feels wonderful having her arms around my neck. By the time I go to hug her back, she’s pulling away and moving back over to her seat. Damn it!
    “You’ re welcome,” I reply.
    Our food arrives a few minutes later, by a different waitress, thank God. I watch Maisie pick up a slice of the pizza and take a bite. God , I wish I was that pizza right now. Jesus Christ, I’m jealous of a slice of pizza. I need to sort it out!
    “ Mmmm,” Maisie moans. She actually moans! My cock stands to attention, throbbing painfully. Right now, my mind is thinking real dirty thoughts. What I would do to her to hear that sound come out of her perfect lips again. Taking a slice of pizza to take my mind off of the situation downstairs, I take a bite, focusing on what is going on outside.
    “I’m so full. I think I’m going to go into a food coma!” Maisie says, rubbing her stomach. She only ate three slices , which isn’t a lot, considering we didn’t get anything to eat at the zoo, and it’s not even five o’clock.
    “I best get you home before you go into it then , eh? Don’t want you falling off the back of my bike,” I reply, earning a laugh.
    “Yeah, it’s probably best. I have a lot of assignments to do for tomorrow , and at this rate, I’m not going to get them completed.” Maisie says with a sigh.
    After paying the bill, we head out to my Ducati, so I can drive her home.
     
    ****
     
    We arrive outside of the dorms, and Maisie jumps off of the bike like a pro. “You’re getting good at that now,” I say smiling at her.
    “At what?” she asks, scrunching up her nose. It’s an adorable quirk, which makes me smile even bigger.
    “At getting off the bike. You’re becoming a pro. I’m amazed.” Maisie smiles, shaking her head at me.
    “Well , what can I say? I’m a fast learner.” That makes me laugh. I hope right now she doesn’t know that I’m thinking of a million things I could teach her, to see if she really is a fast learner, all of them being x-rated thoughts.
    “I’m sure you are. Thank you for today . I had a good time. I’d like to do something again sometime, if you’re up for it?” Please let her say yes!
    “I think I would like that. I’ll see you tomorrow in English. Night , Jesse.”
    “Night , Maisie.” I wait for her to go in through the doors before leaving, then pull out onto the road and drive toward home.
    The whole way home, thoughts of today flash through my mind on repeat ; Maisie feeding the elephant, her face when I gave her the present I bought her, and the way she moaned when she ate the pizza. I’m strung so tight, I know I’m not going to be able to sleep unless I let off some steam. Usually, I would go and find myself a girl, but things have changed for me. The gym it is then!

Chapter 5
    Maisie
    I stayed up until the early hours of the morning, making sure that my Drama paper for Professor Kendall was completed. She’s a lovely lady and an amazing teacher, but you don’t want to get on the wrong side of her. She will kick you out of the class before you can even say