A light In Her Darkness

Chapter Five - Becoming Closer

Ava's P.O.V

It was 4 am, Dylan and I were still walking around. I was more relaxed now, deciding tonight I wasn't going to be the broken girl, tonight I was going to enjoy Dylan and his company. Yes, I was still nervous every time he got close, but I never pulled away, well not all the time anyway. He had me in fits of laughter with his stupid impressions and wacky sense of humour. I have not laughed like this in a long time, actually don't think I have ever laughed as much as I was laughing tonight. The laughs for once were real laughs. He never asked too many questions…never pushed me. He let me ask him anything I wanted also. I wanted to get to know him, know his life…his passions, his hates. I wanted to know everything about him, and he happily told me.

"Follow me," He said, reaching his hand out to me.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Follow me and find out." He laughed.

I c****d my brow at him, making him chuckle before reaching for his hand he was offering me. I had no clue where we were going. I soon found out when I looked in front of us, the ocean in front of me.

"Come on, let's go for a paddle." He smiled widely.

I was glad the streets of Miami were well lit, or we would be in trouble.

"The water will be freezing you, silly man." I giggled.

"It won't be that bad. Come on." He encouraged.

I laughed, shaking my head before agreeing to go with him. Dylan slipped his shoes and socks off; I soon followed. You ever tried walking on sand with heels on? It doesn't work; it's a disaster. I sighed when I felt the hot sand between my toes. I always loved the beach; it was my escape. I could walk along it forever. Dylan never let go of my hand, kept his fingers linked with mine as we headed down to the water. Dylan stepped right into it, I, however, was a little more cautious and just as well cause as soon as his feet touched the water he squealed like a girl. I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing.

"I told you." I giggled, bending over holding my stomach, it hurt a little with all the laughing tonight.

"I don't know what you mean; the water is perfectly fine." He said in his most manly voice.

"Is that why you squealed like a girl?" I laughed.

"Did not." He pouted.

"Did too," I replied smirking.

"You are mean." He laughed.

After a moment, the coldness never seemed to bother him. I decided to join him. I made sure to do it slowly. It was cold, cold enough to send a shiver down my spine, the feeling only lasted a moment. Dylan kept me close as we walked along the waterfront, the waves falling over our feet. I was enjoying the sound of the waves crashing together in the dead of night. It was relaxing. I stopped on the spot, closing my eyes over and taking in the beach air, sighing in content. I felt Dylan stay with me.

"You OK?" He asked.

"Yes. I just love the sound of the waves, the beach air." I whispered out, opening my eyes after a moment.

When I did, I found Dylan in front of me, watching me, his beautiful smile on his face. I found myself smiling at him in return. There was a part of me that wanted to reach in, kiss him but I know I couldn't do that. Plus I don't know if he even sees me that way, I don't know if everything he has done and said to me tonight was from a friendly place or more than that. Then again, as I mentioned to Alannah, guys like him don't go for girls like me. He stood searching my face, trying to work out what I was thinking about. I was hoping he couldn't read me. He stepped in closer to me, his body and mine just an inch or two apart. He reached up, his hand landing on my face again, his other falling on my hip.

"You are beautiful Ava." He whispered.

I swallowed hard, shaking my head and closing my eyes over. The small space was soon closed between us; my body was pressed gently against his. I could feel his eyes were on me, and I was too scared to open my own cause I knew the look he would have on his face. I swallowed hard.

"Yes, you are. Every single inch of you, even these." He said, lifting my arm.

I knew he was referring to my scars on my arms. I felt the tears build up in the corner of my eyes, shaking my head again. His lips soon landed on the skin where my scars were, kissing them softly. My full body shook, a loud whimper escaping my lips. I was becoming weak; he was making me weak to my knees. I felt like my legs would give way at any second. I let a few tears slide down my cheek as his warm lips traced my scars. I could feel my heartbeat get faster.

"Ava, look at me," He said softly.

"No." I whimpered.

"Yes." He replied.

"I can't." I breathed ou.t

"Yes, you can. Ava, look at me please." He begged.

I took a deep breath before opening my eyes to look at him. He was looking straight at me, and with that, I let out a sob. He reached down, resting his forehead against mine, cupping my face between his hands. His fingers were soon wiping away my stray tears. I could feel his hot breath tickle my cheek. A silence fell between us as we looked at each other, both of us trying to search what the other was thinking.

Dylan reached in closer, his lips falling just at the corner of my lips. I whimpered loudly; the feel of his lips on me was driving me crazy. I turned my face, making his lips now touch mine. A throaty growl escaped from him as his lips came in contact with mine. I shifted myself, wrapping my arms around his neck, his now landing on my hips, holding me steady against him. I pressed my lips harder against his, a moan escaping my lips. The kiss was slow and gentle, but it was making both my heart and pulse race, it was giving me butterflies right in the pit of my stomach. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have let them close enough to kiss me. I wrapped my fingers in his hair, deepening the kiss. I never wanted to pull away from his lips, but I needed to catch my breath. His kiss had left me weak and a little breathless. As we pulled apart, we both whimpered at the loss of contact. We never moved from our position we were in.

"Ava let me take care of you." He whispered, stroking my cheek.

"I…I…don't know. Dylan, I can't give you what you want." I whispered out.

"What is it exactly you think I want Ava?" He asked softly.

"What every man wants…I can't be that, not right now. Only men that have ever touched me used and abused me." I said quietly.

"Ava is that what you think I want you for…sex?" He asked, and I nodded.

"I want you, Ava, not sex." He replied.

"You say that now but you are male, you have needs." I whimpered.

"Yes I do, but that doesn't mean I expect them from you. I want to be with you, look after you, and protect you. s*x is the last thing on my mind." He replied.

I studied him carefully, working out if he was truthful and something tells me he was honest.

"Dylan, I am hard work. I have more bad days than good. I hurt myself in more ways than one. Are you sure that is something you want to get involved with?" I asked.

"Yes if it means I can be with you." He replied.

"Why? I don't get it." I said, shaking my head.

I couldn't work out why he wanted me; he can do much better.

"I don't know; it is hard to explain. Ava all I know is I want to be with you. Both my head and heart agree with me." He said in complete honesty.

"You need to be patient with me, especially when it comes to the physical side of things. The thought of someone touching and kissing me in that way terrifies me." I replied vulnerably.

"As long as it takes…as long as you need. Please, Ava, I promise we can take it slow, take it at your pace. Even if I tried, I don't think I could stay away from you; something is pulling me into you. Please give it a chance. We can even just be friends at first, see where it goes from there…no pressure, I promise." He said.

"Friends? Can we try that? Just for right now?" I said.

"Of course, anything you like." He smiled.

I can do that, start at friends, see where it progresses from there.

"Thank You," I said, hugging him.

"Anything for you." He whispered in my ear, hugging me back.

I was hoping this wouldn't end in utter heartbreak; I don't think I would survive another one. Dylan pulled away, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side.

"We should probably head back. It is like 5 am." He laughed.

"Yeah, maybe we should." I giggled in return.

Here is to hoping all doesn't end in disaster.