Worth Taking The Risk (16 page)

“Your father nearly chopped my head off.” Richard chuckled and turned to look at us. “I have no problem with you two dating, it makes Keller’s work much easier in a way.”

I looked up and saw Mitch smiling, he looked at me and kissed my cheek. “Good.”

“I can’t believe this! How can you let your son date a nobody?!” Melissa pointed a finger at me.

Damn, that stung.

Richards eyes looked feral. “I wasn’t rich when I started dating Emma, that didn’t stop us. Money isn’t everything Melissa.”

“Keller is working to have a better life for her and her family. What are you doing to improve yours?” Mitch said in a disgusted tone.

Emma stared at her unbelievingly. “Let’s call it a night. Go to bed, I’ll take care of this.”

We nodded and went to our rooms.

Once outside my bedroom doors Mitch stopped me and Melissa got inside.

“Don’t listen to her. I don’t give a damn about money. I’m dating you because I like
YOU
not your cash.”

I smiled like the idiot I am. “I know but it still stung.”

Mitch smiled sadly then he came closer than usual and kissed me smack on the mouth. God I don’t think I’m going to get used to this. His hands were already occupied by his crutches but that didn’t stop me from wrapping my arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. My, his lips are addictive. I sucked on his lower lip and he groaned. I chuckled and pulled back.

“I think I’m going to enjoy this relationship.” I winked and gave him a fast kiss. “Go to bed.” I motioned him to go.

Mitch chuckled. “Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.” He gave me a hungry kiss, leaving me wanting more and breathless. “Yeah, it’s going to be fun.”

Chapter 23

“This place is amazing!” I did a small circle and looked up at the blue sky.

“It’s not that impressive.” Mitch chuckled.

“I’ve always liked forests.” I shot him a glare and then focused on the nature again. Everything was so green! The smell, oh god I could smell freedom.

Smell freedom.

Then I started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Mitch, who was leaning against a tree, came towards me.

“Nothing. Let’s go back to the cabin, I’m hungry and its getting hot.” I touched his chest and started walking.

“You’re so strange.” he said and I slowed down to walk next to him.

“Hey, take it or leave it.” I said playfully and he stopped walking.

“I’ll take it any time.” then he kissed me. Just our lips locked and nothing else touching.

I was burning and craving to touch him, to hold his hand or something. But it was only fair to stay this way, he can’t touch me because of his crutches and if I’m feeling like this I can’t imagine how he must feel.

A little breathless I pulled away, “Let’s go eat.”

Mitch gave me a small smile and we walked towards the cabin.

Once there Emma served our plates and we all sat down on the kitchen table, all except Melissa.

“What do you guys have planned after this?” Richard asked as he took another bite of the meat on his plate.

“I’m going to keep painting her, then we’re going to chill at the pool.” Mitch shrugged.

He still doesn’t call me by my name. now that I think about it, he rarely does.

“You’re serious about the painting?” Emma asked surprised.

“Yes, I think it’ll come out well. I hope there’s good light.”

We finished eating and headed upstairs.

“Get dressed, I’ll be waiting in my room.” Mitch said and walked away.

I went inside and changed into the black dressed I used to pose for him the last time, I did my hair and was ready to go.

I didn’t even knock, I just went inside his room and sat down on the stool he had placed on the back of his canvas.

“Two hours.” he said simply and began his work.

He gets a bit temperamental when it comes to his work. I’m dying to see his other work but I guess I’ll have to wait until we get back, which is tonight.

“Chin up, eyes to the wall. Don’t move.” he ordered.

I’ll have to admit I felt a little bit uncomfortable at his intense stare, but I have a feeling that he can‘t help it.

*TWO HOURS LATER*

“Mitch.”

His eyes were glued to the canvas.

“Mitch.”

No reaction.

“MITCH!”

Startled and confused he looked away from the canvas and into my eyes. “What?”

“I’m sure it’s been two hours, can I move now?” I could hear the hope in my own voice.

“Just give me a second I need…” he trailed off and frowned.

I groaned. “I’m sore, and I don’t feel my left leg anymore. Can’t we do this at your house.”

“We’re in my house.”

“Your
other
house.”

It was his turn to groan. “Alright fine, go change.”

Carefully I got up, feeling small tingles on my legs as I walked to the door. “I’ll meet you at the pool.”

He simply nodded.

I walked into my room and changed into something more comfortable, which was a pair of basketball shorts and a tank top. Yep, I’m going into the pool but I wont show more than needed.

Instead of going to Mitch’s room I went downstairs and wait for him by the pool.

“Keller, how did the session go?” Emma smiled at me as I went to the kitchen. There’s a door that leads to the backyard where the pool is at.

“Good, I think.”

Emma smiled warmly. “He’s good at what he does.”

Not knowing what to say I just nodded and walked out of the kitchen. Don’t you just hate those awkward moments?

God the water looked so tempting! I smiled big and walked to sit at the edge of the pool and get my legs in.

Stopped short when I saw Melissa already in the pool, arms wrapped around a guy. Desperate much?

Trying to ignore them I sat and put my legs inside the pool, the water reached just below my knee. It feels so good, I want to get inside so much but I’ll wait for Mitch.

Sure enough he came, I didn’t have to turn around I heard him coming my way. I got up to help him seat down beside me and my jaw nearly hit the floor. Is it me or he looks way better now? Maybe its because now I can actually touch him.

But holly damn! He’s only wearing a pair of basketball shorts…that means bare chest. A yummy bare chest.

“Do I pass?” he asked and I saw a smirk starting to form.

“Definitely.” I gave him my wicked smile and helped him seat down.

“Are you telling you family about or relationship until we get back?” he asked taking my hand.

“Yeah, I don’t even want to think about their reactions.”

“You know who’s going to flip?” Mitch said with amusement.

“Who?”

“Your little ex-boyfriend.”

I chuckled. “He’ll have to deal with it.” I sighed. “He thinks he can rule my life, things changed so much.”

I was surprised when Mitch wrapped his arms around me and I placed my face to his bare chest, he placed a kiss to my forehead. “Do you miss him?”

“No, I do wish we were friends but he doesn’t want that. I never loved him…my sister did. Hester never said anything, every time she smiled and swallowed the hurt and love she felt for him. While I had him and didn’t love him. I was, am, selfish.” I sighed.

“We are all entitled to a little selfishness. And I’m sure your sister would want you to be happy.”

“Why are you so reasonable all of the sudden?” I pulled away and looked at his face.

“We have a lot to know about each other.”

“Yes we do.”

We started to lean in for a kiss when Melissa interrupted us. “I want to introduce you guys to Rick, my friend.”

It was the guy from the gas station. Slowly I smiled. “Hello, Rick.”

“You never called.” he winked. Melissa shot him a death glare.

“That’s because she didn’t need help.” Mitch grabbed my hand. Rick noticed and nodded in understanding.

Awkward moment again.

Suddenly Mitch got fully inside the pool and tugged at my hand, I slipped inside.

“Doesn’t your leg hurt?” I asked a bit worried.

“No, the water makes it lighter. I don’t have a hard time standing in one leg.”

Someone moaned and we both turned and saw Melissa in a heated make out session, she opened her eyes and looked straight at Mitch.

“I think she’s trying to make you jealous.” I stated, suppressing the jealousy, but Mitch’s disgusted face seethed them.

“She’s some clingy chick, I don’t even know why I even liked her.” he shuddered.

“I say we give her a taste of her own medicine.”

Mitch frowned and stared curiously at me, I winked and took off my basketball short, staying only on my panties. Then I took off the tank top and that left me with my bra. I blushed when I saw Mitch staring intently at me.

And so was Melissa.

I let my clothes in the water and wrapped my arms around Mitch. “Want to really piss her off?” I kissed along his jaw, then bit his earlobe.

His hands went to my hips and he leaned to the pool’s wall to support himself. “As long as you don’t stop I’ll piss anyone off.” he said and hungrily took over my lips.

Nibbling on my lips and brushing his tongue against mine. Why did he had to be an amazing kisser?

I’m glad his hands didn’t move from my hips but the not so good part of my brain wanted him to touch me everywhere. His mouth was so hot and wild that it drove me crazy.

I bit his lower lip and pulled, making him gasp a little. Then captured his tongue and sucked the tip earning a really throaty moan that gave me the chills.

God why hadn’t I kissed him like this before? I don’t think I’ll be able to stop now.

His lips traveled to my neck and I gasped for air while he worked his way to find my soft spot. Only seconds later he was biting and kissing right under my ear making me whimper.

“Ugh! I hate you both so much!”

We broke apart at the sudden revelation and saw Melissa going inside the house, wet and crying.

Rick was standing by the pool looking confused. “I should go.” Without waiting for an answer he left.

“Mission accomplished.” Mitch said and gave me a peck on the lips.

Chapter 2
4

“Why? Why him of all men?!” Melissa asked me furiously.

I sighed and placed my shirt on the suitcase. “How do you expect me to answer that? You can’t choose who you like.”

She stomped her foot like a little girl and crossed her arms. “You had Alan, why did you have to take Mitch too?”

After placing the last of my belongings on the suitcase I closed it and looked at Melissa again. This chick is a strange one. “Alan and I were just experimenting something new. We are friends now, and friends only. Mitch and I…” I groaned. “Look, I don’t have to explain myself or my actions to the likes of you but Mitch and I just happened. I didn’t plan an evil plot against you to make you suffer and loose Mitch.”

“Stop treating my like a little girl!”

“Stop acting like one.”

Hurt was visible in her eyes. I didn’t mean to be harsh on her, or even mean but her actions call for drastic measures.

“I want Mitch!” she sat down on the bed with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“He is not an object. If he wanted you he’ll be dating you not me. Give it time to sink in and stop seeing what is not there and grow up a little.”

With those words I went out the door with my suitcase, backpack and purse, walked downstairs and out of the cabin where the Gaynor’s were putting everything in the trunk of the car.

“Ah there you are, was afraid you would’ve ran away.” Emma joked.

Richard took my bags and looked at the trunk, frowned. “Is it me or we have much less space than before?”

“Well if that’s the case I’m afraid you’ll have to walk.” Emma laughed at her husbands reaction and then they went back to flirting.

I took out Ambrose’s camera and began taking pictures of them together.

“I don’t know why but you remind me of that little Samantha girl.” Mitch came to stand beside me.

“I wont get mad at you because I don’t have time. Ambrose is going to skin me for not taking enough pictures.” I said while taking some shots of the cabin and the car. “Hey don’t move.”

“What? No.”

“I said don’t move!” I took like three pictures of Mitch, he looked really awkward.

“Keller, give me the camera I’ll take some of you two.” Emma reached for the camera and I happily gave it to her.