Trigger - Part 1

CHAPTER 16 - Because It's You

•SHANE•

My eyes fly open and I immediately look to my left; spread out on her stomach her skin glows from the light flooding in through the window. I notice she is not wearing any clothes. I brush my fingers gently down her spine, causing her body to move as she lets out a small groan.

"Good morning, beautiful." I say leaning in to kiss her head. Her eyes open slowly and a smile forms on her lips.

"Good morning." She turns on her back stretching her arms above her head moaning softly.
"So no clothes huh?" She looks down and back at me.
"I got hot... Why? Don't you like what you're seeing?"

I shake my head and smile.

"That is definitely not the case. I'm going to have a quick shower and then make us some breakfast okay." I get up making my way to the en-suite. I get in the shower and feel the cool water sliding down my head.

I open my eyes at the shower door opening suddenly.
"Mind if I join you?"

I turn around and take a step back seeing she was right next to me, stepping underneath the water. My breath disappears seeing her skin riddled with goose bumps as the water glides over her. I swallow heavily trying to contain my thoughts and head to open the door to get out.

"Where are you going?" Her voice sings in my ear.
"I'm done; I'll start breakfast so long." I struggle to get a good grip on the handle feeling my hand shake. I freeze, feeling her hands run up my arms and press her body against me, kissing my back slowly.

"Stay."

Her voice sends a shiver down my spine causing my hair to stand.
"Sage..." Her name falls from my lips softly, barely able to speak. Her hands squeeze my biceps forcing my head to tilt up, taking a deep breath through my nose.

"Shane..."

I lower my head and see how her hands run up my chest slowly applying pressure.
"Sage... I can't." I take her hands and slide them off me and proceed to get out of the shower before she has a chance to change my mind.

"Seriously Shane! It's been over two weeks! You don't touch me! Or even look at me properly!" I hear the water stop and the door flying open.
"You know what, you say you're not angry because of the whole Nikolai thing but you're lying! I know you're still bothered by it."

I grab the towel hanging on the door and wrap it around me before I grab another one and hand it to her.
"You think I don't want to touch you because I'm angry that you saw him?" I feel the towel fall from my hand and her hand replacing it, turning me towards her.

"Well it's obvious Shane, you are a man and therefore you have an ego." Her eyes widen, raising both eyebrows looking for a reply.
"It's not my damn ego that's the problem Sage! It's because you have been hurt. He still has a huge effect on you even if you don't remember anything... "

Her face turns red as she storms towards me pushing her hand against my chest.

"So it's because I loved him? Why lead me on then huh? Why take me on a romantic hike Tuesday? Why make me feel this way about you? Why try-"

I feel anger rise through me and push my finger against her mouth.
"I am not fighting with you about this. I don't touch you because you need more time to heal. I care for you Sage... More than I have ever cared for another woman. Just understand, nothing about this is easy. I chose you, remember. I ran away with you."

Her hand pulls my finger from her lips as she stares at me. "Then show me!" She commands.
Confused, I keep her gaze. "Show you what?"

She steps closer and grabs the fold of my towel and tugs me hard against her.
"Show me how much you care about me."
Her voice sounding flat she loosens the fold and my towel drops.