Free Forever Love by Jade Whitfield

fathom why I would avoid this gorgeous guy. The feelings he brings out are just too damn much though.
    Dinner continues in much the same manner, Martha trying to drag me into the damn pageant world and my Dad constantly shooting her down. Pam looks more and more down as the night continues and I'm more than happy when we're all told to go to bed early under the excuse that we've got school in the morning. From the way my Dads jaw is shifting, I'm sure it has more to do with getting us away from the viper than our sleeping patterns.
    I sit on my bed, sending Trina a long text with the happenings of the night which has become routine since I got here. I've found it hard not seeing her everyday. I feel like I've lost a sibling but I take comfort in the fact that I'll be seeing her in Savannah soon. There's a knock at my door and I know who it is without even opening it. Might as well get this shit over with.
    "Come in." I shout, trying to calm my nerves. I just hope I can control myself with us being alone and in such close proximity.
    He opens the door, coming in and Holy mother of God, all he has on are a pair of checkered pajama bottoms. His chest is completely bare. His toned and muscled body is on display and I take a deep gulp. I feel a little inferior in my Tatty Teddy pajama shorts and white t-shirt. He sits himself on my bed without saying a word. He takes a big breath as if building himself up for something.
    "Why did you run?" Though I should have expected this question, it still leaves me shocked, mainly because I don’t know how to answer.
    "It's too complicated." I answer, I don’t want to tell him the full messed up truth.
    "I can't stop thinking about you." He looks towards me and I fully take in his face. There are dark circles under his eyes as if he hasn’t slept a wink. Surely that’s not because of me though. Id be lying if his confession doesn’t send those oh so familiar butterflies soaring. "Ive been like this for fucking four days and it's driving me crazy. It was bad enough before the kiss but now." He rubs his hands over his face. "I was there Liv, I felt that kiss, I felt how you responded. You can act like it was a big mistake all you want but I know that’s not the whole story. I just want the truth dammit"
    I stand up and start to pace, dragging my hands through my loose waves.
    "I'm not the right girl for you Noah, what I'm about would make living in this house near on impossible when alls said and done."
    "And you think it's not impossible right now. I'm nearly losing my damn mind here and you've been hiding in your room for the past two days."
    "What do you want from me Noah?" My voice is a near whisper.
    "Your real reason for running, I guess. Give me something here, Liv."
    "I have casual sex with most half decent guys I meet. I can't have a proper relationship with a guy without feeling like the world is about to end. Is that what you wanna hear Noah? So yes I ran. You scare the fuck out of me. That kiss.......shit. I can't give you want. I can't be your fuck buddy because as soon as it ends this house will be a nightmare to live in for both of us. And deep down, I don’t think you want that kind of relationship with me, fuck buddies don’t punch guys for putting their arm around you. They don’t take you to romantic fields to look at the fucking stars. You scare me, hell you terrify me with the things I feel after four days. It's been four days Noah, what's it gonna be like after four weeks or four months." Noah sits there motionless, just staring at me. I've said way too much and feel a sliver of panic at the amount I've just told him.
    "So that’s what this is. Fear?"
    I close my eyes, he just doesn’t get it.
    "I'm not giving up Liv. You're not the only one that’s feeling unfamiliar feelings and they scare me too. I won't give up because there's a little voice inside my head that’s saying if we take a chance on this, it could be the best thing that’s ever happened to both