If At First

Part 11 - Chapter 10

"I don't know what you're talking about." I insisted.

"Yes you do."

"Fine." I tilted my chin in defiance at his waiting smile. "I am pushing you away."

"Because?"

"There's a lot of reasons." I said. He waited patiently. "F-for starters, I can't think of a single reason you'd want to spend any time with me."

"Can't you?"

"No. Also, I would hate for anyone to think I was one of your devoted sheep,"

His smile grew at that. "Are you calling me a wolf?"

I rolled my eyes. "Your words." I continued. "Then there's the gossip mill that seems to surround you. The last thing I need is to hear that I'm trying to steal you from your girlfriend."

The smile disappeared, and he looked a little surprised, his eyebrows drawing together. "I'm not asking for any of that."

"What exactly are you asking then?"

"Just to trust me."

"Just? That's no small request, coming from someone with a deficiency in the trust department."

"I know."

"And why am I supposed to trust you?"

"Because," he paused, searching for the words. "no matter what you think of me, or what you've heard, I can't be responsible for you getting hurt." The caressing note in his tone was melting some of the icy feelings I had been harboring.

"Right." I said, "And I don't suppose you care to expand on that?"

"Not really." He smiled again.

"Haven," I said, and I heard his breath catch, "I don't know who or what you think is going to hurt me, but I'm surprisingly capable of handling myself."

"I know that, too."

"Then I'm sorry you've wasted your time."

He was very close now, but I didn't back away. I couldn't back away. Our gaze locked, his intense eyes holding mine. "I haven't wasted anything."

The nearer he was, the more defenseless I became against his pull. I stood there, captivated, hoping to mentally convey my wish for him to go away, since my mouth didn't seem able or willing to form the words.

He studied my lips, and reached to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my neck. Just as he opened his mouth, a loud banging at the front door precluded him from whatever he was about to do.

Beverly lumbered to answer the door, and I exhaled, watching her. It was enough of a distraction that I could remove from my spot to see who it was. Haven looked annoyed at first, but his expression changed quickly to concern at the aggression of whomever was at the door. Beverly jumped back when the door flew open just before she reached it, and Andy's tall frame appeared in the aperture, nearly falling inside.

"You're here!" he called. Andy trod past Beverly without a backward glance. His eyes were red and puffy and he headed indomitably in my direction. His expression was one of desperation and determination, and I knew he saw nothing but the space between himself and me. Before making even three strides into the house, Haven stepped between us. "Hello," he smiled pleasantly, physically checking Andy's advance. It was a bold move, since I've seen Andy in his share of brawls under less provocation. Andy's face flushed with fury, but Haven didn't flinch.