Chapter Thirty-One

"Yes....yes...I know..."

"Well, I'm caught up on, any other thing at the moment."

"Well...I...I've got a girl staying here..."

"Yes, Mum! A girl!...no...of course not..."

"She's sixteen, she's one of my students. It's a long story."

"I really don't then that's a good idea.... no....no, Mother, I haven’t."

I rub my eyes sleepily and sit up from the bed. Ian? Is that Ian's voice?

"Don't be so ridiculous, Mother...!" I hear his deep familiar voice exclaim in annoyance from outside my bedroom door. It sounds like he's on the phone. I groan tiredly and swing my legs round to the edge of the bed, rubbing at my eyes groggily.

When I make my way towards the door to open it, I catch more of the conversation. "Dinner? I'm not sure...she might not feel comfortable doing that."

"Yes, I'll ask her.... no...well....you'll meet her, don't worry. OK. mother. Calm down, I'm aware about my Father's superior claims! Don't be so assuming...."

I hold my ear against the door to hear more but unlucky for me he begins to wear down the conversation. Yes, bye...

He hangs up and I hear him sigh loudly. Ohh...he sounds very frustrated about something. I open the door and find him standing in the doorway of his bedroom just down the hall.

He hears the click of my door and his head instantly shoots up, his eyes meeting mine. "You're up."

"I realised that." I say with a smirk and rub at my ugly morning face.

"Did you sleep well?" He asks courteously.

"Yeah. Better than usual."

"Good. Um....I need to talk to you about something, but I'll let you get dressed first, OK?"

I shoot him a confused look but nod anyway. "Okey dokey."

I returned to my bedroom and quickly got changed into a black jumper and blue jeans. There was no way I had any intention of wearing one of the vest tops. I wanted my arms covered. I hated the scars...

I make my way down the stairs and meet Ian in the dining room where he has just set out breakfast. This morning we're having scrambled eggs and beans. Hahah...I haven't had that for breakfast since I was about six. I miss those days.

Ian walks out of the kitchen door holding what seem to be my plate. He notices me standing in the centre of the room and looks at me, a smile spread across his face. "Last time I checked it was Summer." He chuckles, laying the plate down on the dining table.

"I like these jumpers." I reply sincerely.

"But you're supposed to wear them when it's cold. It's boiling hot, Alice."

"You know I can't wear any of the other clothes."

He tilts his head dumbly, "Why?"

"You know why! I can't. I feel.... too exposed." My cheeks instantly heat up from embarrassment. I don't like having this conversation with him. It makes me feel ridiculous! Instead, I avert my gaze and stare down at my red converses that I borrowed from his sister's wardrobe.

"What's wrong with being exposed?" His soft voice his closer now. Then, I feel his fingers curl under my chin and force me to look up. I find myself looking straight into his dark brown eyes and it makes my legs go weak.

"You're not making this easy..." I sigh. He leans towards my face a little more. "...I...I don't like my scars showing. It was hard enough when you took my hoodie from me."

"That was for your own good, Alice. As for this jumper...you don't have to worry about showing your scars. They’re not as bad as what you make out, they are."

"No.” I say stubbornly, pulling my chin out of his grip.

His sighs and rubs the back of his neck. "I promise you, Alice. You will feel so much better if you get use to exposing those beautiful scars once in a while. It doesn't even have to be all the time. Just now and then."

I bit down on my bottom lip, "Stop saying their beautiful."

"No. It's true. C'mon. Let me take off the jumper." He murmurs softly. I sigh desperately and finally signal him a nod of approval. His hands travel down to the hem of it to pull it up over my head but before he makes a move to pull on it, he looks back at me with questioning eyes. "You do have a vest-top under this, right?"

Oh lord! Really? I giggle, "Yes. Would it bother you if I didn't?"

"It wouldn't bother me necessarily. It would more distract me." He grins and with a flash he whips the jumper up and over my head. I purse my lips nervously, hugging myself. He drops the jumper and takes my hands into his.

"No covering up, OK? I want to see you." He says sexily and it only makes me blush harder. Jesus, does he have any fucking idea how fast my heart is beating right now?

How can he not know how much I really want him...?

He turns towards the dining table and gestures towards our breakfast of which he's laid put. "Breakfast is at your service." I laugh as we both take a seat.

"I've noticed.... you’re a very good cook." I comment.

"Why thank you, Miss Copper. I'll have to teach at some point. It would be quite entertaining to see you in the kitchen."

I gape for a moment and shake my head, "I can't cook to save my life."

'Then, I'll teach you." He replies simply and swallows a bite of scrambled egg.

"So... what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"My parents want to come over for dinner. I happened to mention you are staying here at the moment and they are anxious to meet you." His face is blank, no expression. Whenever we seem to talk about anything to do with his family.... he turns....cold.

"They want to meet me? Why?"

He scowls, "Because their nosey fuckers."

"I understand if you feel uncomfortable about them coming over for dinner. I can easily tell them I’m busy." He adds in a genuine tone of voice. I shake my head, "No. They’re your family. Let them come over."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes...but on one condition." I smile, swallowing some of my scrambled egg. My right hand continues to twirl my folk around the plate playfully.

"Go on."

"You buy me a pack of cigarettes."

His face suddenly turns to hard rock, his eyes a piercing brown. "Alice-"

"Please, Ian. I'm desperate!"

"Don't you understand how much harm they course your lungs?" He hisses through clenched teeth.

"For fuck sake! It's an addiction I have! I can't help but want one! Please! I need it!" I say desperately and he huffs in defeat.

"Fine. As long as you wear a dress tonight for the dinner." He grits out and I smile. "OK. I'll try."

"No trying. You will. I'm not buying you fags if you don't do something in return for me."

"Ok, ok. Deal." We shake hands. That's definitely a deal...

Later on, Ian returns back from the shops. I poke my head out from inside the front room and he catches me looking. He groans and pulls out the packet of cigarettes. I grin and go to grab them but he holds them up higher in the air so I am unable to reach them. "Ian! Gimmie!"

"Kiss first." He pouts. I scoff and pull back, "You're a fucking arsewhole sometimes."

"Kiss or no cigs..." He contemplates fairly. Urgh! Fine!

I wrap my hand my hand round his neck and pull him down to my level. His lips touch mine and my heart is caught, utterly breath struck. It's as if I have forgotten to breathe just by the mere touch of his lips on mine. I gasp and his tongue make its way into my mouth, exploring me. Every inch.

It's so intoxicating, the way he just does it. His hands make their way round my waist and here the packet of cigarette drop to the floor...but right now I don't care. I'm too lost within him. He's got me lost, just how he likes it. His arms imprison me against him, his lips assaulting mine. I moan against his anxious lips and viscous tongue.

Ooh...

I pull away to catch my breath, but he doesn't stop there. He takes advantage of the moment and attaches his lips to my neck, sucking on the skin there.

"Ian...!" I moan breathlessly and grip onto his forearms for support. He absolutely loves it when he has got me in my place. He must feel so powerful over me and a part of me hates it. I give him the satisfaction to know how much he affects me but when he's kissing me this way, I suddenly loose every ounce of care. I just want him....

Eventually I pull away and bend down to retrieve the cigarette packet. "No more kisses for you, Daddy!" I say in a playful voice and he hums, unloosening his black tie in that sexy way he does.

"Just you wait till you're screaming that word when I’m buried inside you." He whispers and slowly brushes past me, entering the front room.

Oh my...