Just Rose

Chapter 28

As sleep was not on the table anymore she got up and reluctantly washed her body in a bubble bath. It seemed so wrong to wash his smell from her skin, his touch and lingering kisses. It almost felt like sacrilege, but it was the only thing she could do to relax again, instead of obsessing over what he was doing right about now.

When she got out she began cleaning up the cottage, one room at a time, aware of the sun beginning to move higher, brightening the world outside as dawn approached. Songs of birds becoming louder as they awoke and started their day. The world seeming so quiet and empty. She figured doing something to keep her busy and tire her out was a better option than staring at her ceiling and torturing herself by over thinking.

Wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe she soon had the place neat and prim. Cleaning a little more thoroughly than necessary, considering she was not really an untidy person generally. She polished and even hoovered before finally coming to sit on the couch to try the morning TV programs. It was almost five am, time dragging so slowly.

He had been gone only a couple of hours and it felt like days.

Could it really be?

It felt like it should have at least been several hours and again, despite herself, she wondered what was happening at the house, tempted to reply text Abby and see if she offered any information in a roundabout way. Abby was normally up at the crack of dawn for college and would be up soon.

No!

She knew for now she had to keep Abby out of this. The girl was too open and honest, she carried everything in that readable face, one look or wink suggesting a relationship between Rob and Rose and it would cause an uproar. Rob had not elaborated on the finer details of Morag’s issues or what was going on in her life, but she was sure he wouldn’t lie to her, that he wouldn’t over dramatize or use her. He had mentioned suicide attempts; therefore, it wasn’t hard to assume Morag had mental health issues, she had seen for herself how the woman could change with a drink. From cool cold temple to slurring mess, she could bet that behind the scenes there was a whole lot more going on and she had only grazed the surface.

She grabbed a hot chocolate and plate of biscuits from the kitchen before settling down to watch some old cheesy romance on the TV. The great thing about sky tv was movies on demand, heaven sent for the restless and awake at stupid o’clock; a distraction. A way to occupy her mind and hopefully she would fall asleep here and not be a train wreck of exhaustion tomorrow, god knows she hadn’t slept much when Rob was in her bed either.

Just after six am her phone lit up, vibrating across the coffee table and breaking her from her semi dozing state.

‘Are you awake? Xxx’

Rob’s name illuminated above the text, sending her heart into a little flurry of fluttering’s. She hesitated then grabbed it to reply.

‘I am, been watching an old movie on the couch. Couldn’t sleep. X’ She sighed as she cradled the phone towards her, only too aware how deep she was into this relationship already and it was unnerving.

‘I’m sorry I had to leave. I’m in bed and all I can think about is you there alone.’

She smiled to herself, running her thumb across his reply as she bit on her lip, her heart swelling somewhat.

‘It’s ok. I understand. Is everything ok now?’ She missed him so badly already, it was crazy to contemplate the instant dependency on him.

‘Yes. She finally passed out and I put her in the guest room, sent Abby to bed. It got ugly, but she won’t remember it when she wakes up. She can rant on a bit when she’s that drunk.’

Rose held down the urge to throw her phone, her love-sick mood suddenly turned on its head abruptly. She knew she was being unreasonable, but the thought of him pandering to her, taking care of her, carrying her the way he had carried Rose and putting her in bed. Running to deal with his ex-girlfriend and letting her control things this way. She could not control the spikes of emotion and anger that scraped to the surface.

‘Ok. I guess I will see you when I see you then?’ Did it sound bitchy?

She regretted sending it, but then changed her mind and let it go. She was upset, he had to understand that. Had to understand her disappointment at least. It would take some time to get used to this; it’s not like she had anything to fall back on in her own dating experience. This was a complicated start to a new relationship and she had never dealt with anything like it.

There were a long few minutes of no reply and Rose started to regret the message fiercely.

Was this officially their first lover’s tiff? Was he ignoring her?

Finally, almost ten minutes after she sent it, her phone lit up and gave her a small fright. She had been gazing into space, mulling things over and once again over analysing everything. The vibration through her hand alerted her with a jump.

‘I have a confession!’

Rose felt her heart tighten as she read his reply, especially when it followed immediately with

‘I told you a little white lie’.

Rose took a deep gulp holding back the urge to sob, her frayed emotions and tired mind reacting in the worst conceivable way.

Lied about what? Oh, my god!

She felt instantly sick and couldn’t respond. She was terrified of what he would say.

Was Morag really his girlfriend after all? Was this all a lie to get her into bed? Had he told Morag where he had been and was now breaking it off with Rose?

Her mind was racing frantically, going over every single thing he had said to her in the last few hours. A monsoon of emotion opened and began pouring down her face, tears flowing freely.

He had looked her in the eye and told her he wanted a future with her and only her. She felt so stupid! Rose had been duped by a guy who obviously was a born womaniser, maybe it had all been lies after all.

The knock on her door startled her. It was still early, the sun barely up. She was in no state for guests but Rob’s voice through the door caused her to pause, gulp down her sob and listen. Sure she just imagined it.

‘Rose let me in.’ He sounded normal, husky; close but seemingly normal.

She moved to the door without hesitation, inner fierce mood overtaking; ready to take him on and ask him what the hell he lied about. Tears falling down her face. Ready to confront him! Terrified to confront him!

She hauled open the door to be faced with a sight that made her heart lurch, despite herself. Too beautiful for words and it only pained her more. As soon as he saw her he dragged her into his arms.

‘Baby. What is it? What’s wrong?’ Concern and panic fleeting across his face instantly. All she could do was wave her phone at him, swallowing her tears, flapping his hands away from her and trying not to succumb to his embrace. He caught her phone and tilted it, so he could see, the screen with his text message ‘I told you a little white lie’.

He read it, his face relaxing in relief, changing to a grimace, he sighed and scooped her up

‘I meant I wasn’t home in bed! I lied about that, I was at your door! Well walking up to it. I came across the back fields as soon as I knew you were awake. I just wanted to be back here with you already and surprise you.’ He laughed apologetically, wiping her tears and covering her face with kisses and nibbles, his arms sliding around her fully and hugging the life out of her.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would take it any other way! ... I’m an i***t!’ He found her mouth and hushed her crying. Wrapped back in his arms the tidal wave of emotion began to subside slowly and her crazy thoughts calmed at his touch. His hands cradling her hair and face.

‘I thought you were going to tell me I was just a one-night stand.’ She broke out shakily, smiling back her tears and sniffing once more.

‘I wouldn’t lie to you in that way Rose...I wouldn’t hurt you! You are definitely not a onetime thing, or a casual thing.... I really, really like you, I really want to have a relationship with you.’ it was the way the words tumbled from his mouth. The way his normally manly face suddenly looked like a lost little boy that made her believe, stop and take stock.

He wasn’t lying.

She had never seen him look sincerer as he held her face so their eyes locked. She could only see honesty in the clear greyness of those beautiful depths.

He pulled her down to the couch, stroking back her hair and gently kissing her face until he was sure she believed him. Calming her with his soft words and reassuring her that this was real for him. Finally satisfied that she was calm and happy again he relaxed, sliding off his coat and throwing his keys and phone aside on the low table by the couch.

‘Come on, I’m tired and I want to sleep beside my woman.’ He pulled her to her feet slowly, up to his tall height and gave her another tight embrace; his hands sliding down over her robe suggestively. He let her go, sliding her hand into his and guided her along the hall to the bedroom, stopping to peel off his hooded top and kick his trainers off as soon as he entered her room. A simple motion that sent tingles through her stomach as she watched him.

‘I have not had a second of sleep since I left and I’m pretty knackered.’ He turned, pulling off her robe, his eyes lighting up when he realised she was completely naked beneath it. ‘Maybe not too tired.’ He grinned, scooping her up and taking her back into bed. His one-track mind showing her exactly what he was staying awake for.