Chapter 28 Like Home

Chapter 28 Like Home

The sun started to set on the large, open windows of Knox's room. He was right. It was a beautiful place, not nearly as big as Eros's, but it lacked the tension. It was cosy, homely, and I found Knox's love for flowers and soft pillows.

We finished arranging my stuff, and I watched on the edge of the laid bed as he brought a few large vases from his place to mind, decorating the emptied place with flowers.

"You are injured, Knox," I reminded him, my eyes sweeping over his face and his injured leg.

He only shrugged, then grabbed a few new toiletries from his stack and fixed them around the bathroom, making sure everything was in place.

"This is the dividing curtain. For privacy."

He made a face, and I broke into a laugh with understanding. 

"Sure."

He smiled, then sat back on the dresser, his eyes taking in the place. "I know it is not as glamorous as Alpha Eros's room, and you will have to go to the dining for food and..."

"Oh, please, Knox. I prefer it here. Look at this place. It is all I ever wanted."

He turned to me, his eyes solemn. "Is it?"

I nodded, breaking into a smile. I wasn't lying this time. This space, it was all I wanted.

He bit down on his lips, then nodded, turning away again. We fell into silence, the bright orange streaks of sunset streaming into the room.

"Kian," he said suddenly. 

I turned, my brows furrowed. "Yes?"

"What happened at the lake... I am sorry."

My eyes widened a little. "Knox."

"You wouldn't have gotten kicked out. This wouldn't have happened. I am sorry."

I broke into a augh, trying my hardest to make light of the situation. "Oh, please. Don't you like me being here?"

He shrugged. "It is the best thing I could have asked for. I wanted you in my room from the very first day."

And it was true. He wanted me from the very first second. 

He gave a small sigh, and I stood up from the bed, then covered the distance to him. His eyes met mine, his pupils immediately dilating.

It made my heart ache even more, and I gently moved my hands to cup his face. 

"We will be fine," I whispered, my eyes darting across both of his.

His eyes scanned my face, and he slowly nodded. His hand gently cupped the edge of my waist, his thumb pressing down lightly on my shirt.

"You are so tiny," he whispered, looking down at his hand. "I will bring you cereal and maybe a drink. I have a stack."

I nodded, moving away from him. He got off the dresser, and I watched him walk to his part of the room. He soon returned with not only a bowl of cereal and a pack of fruit juice but also a large pack of cereals, milk, chocolates, and cookies.

I watched as he handed me the cereal and bottled juice, then went on to organize the empty shelf with the things he brought.

I held the bowl in my hands, my mind reeling to the last tray of food Alpha Eros had dropped on my bed. The time he had stood over me, drugs in hand, wearing nothing but a towel.

I pulled my thoughts back to Kian. The way he walked away and came back with a large pack of bottled water and more chocolate and juice, despite his limp. The way he made sure the shelf was filled, then started to water the flowers, his lips parted to help him concentrate.

"Knox," I said, my voice breaking a little. 

He turned to me, his eyes wide, his hair falling to his forehead. "Why are you doing this?"

He stopped fixing the vase, his eyes meeting mine. "I told you, Kian. I..." he trailed off, his eyes darting across both of mine. "Do you want to hear it?"

I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. "Because I know. I am just wondering why I deserve it. Why I deserve you."

"Kian," he said, covering the distance.

He collected the bowl I was barely holding now, then dropped it on the bed. He grabbed my hands, his eyes filled with concern, his body leaning to mine.

"I am sorry," he said, his voice low. "I am sorry, okay? Just... take it as me being kind. I am kind, okay? As long as you don't feel burdened by my feelings. Just..."

"You deserve better," I said, shaking my head, the quiet part stuck in my head. You deserve someone who doesn't compare you to Eros.

He bit down on his lips, his thumb running across my hand. "You keep using the word deserve, Kian. What about what I want?"

I met his eyes, and he cupped my cheek, his thumb wiping the tears away.

"Sit down. Breathe. Sleep. I will give you space. I will..."

"No," I said, my chest heaving. "Space is the last thing I want right now."

He nodded immediately, then gently pulled me to the bed. He fixed the sheets around me, propping a pillow up behind me, then bringing the bowl of cereal to me.

"It's soggy. I will make another bowl."

I took the bowl from him. "I prefer it soggy."

I hated soggy cereal, but for Knox... I would have it.

Maybe this was still love. Maybe... with time. This could still be love.

He sat next to me, his hand holding mine, his eyes watching me as I ate slowly. Once I was done, he took the bowl away from me.

"Do you want anything?" He asked. "A bath? Does your neck hurt? I could get some ice for you."

I shook my head. "Just stay here."

His eyes met mine, and his fingers tightened around mine.

"I can't figure you out, Kian. Are you pushing me away or... are you holding me close?"

I leaned a little closer, and without a word, he placed a small kiss on my forehead.

"I don't know either."

Everything screamed for me to hold on to him. He was safe, stable, kind, everything every woman would want.

But I felt guilty. I loved Eros's fire. His mystery, his passion. His darkness.

And I couldn't bring myself to hurt Knox. 

Knox leaned to me, his lips parting against my lips, his fingers gently massaging my neck. 

My eyes closed as I let myself lean into him, my breaths slow.

"I will be here," he said simply, his hand wrapping gently around the small of my back.

I closed my eyes in his warmth, my body relaxing as his hand ran up and down my back, offering me comfort.

I sighed into his neck, and he pulled me even closer, his lips pressing against my cheek and my neck, his hand slipping under my shirt to caress my back, skin to skin.

Sure enough, I started to doze off, his warmth circling around me, like it was home. Like I was home.