The realisation I sat stark naked, wanting those things snapped me from my haze and my eyes flew open as I looked around. Was that good? Should I want those things? After everything that had been done to me, was it wrong for me to want to be touched that way? I was confused and the need thrumming through me for Matt was all consuming, making my mind whirl faster.
“Olivia? Are you ok?” Matt asked, and when I looked up I found him with his hands pulled clear away from me, assessing me for panic. I did not want to discuss what just went through my mind, so fumbled for a better answer.
“Yeah….I w-was just too relaxed. I almost fell asleep.” I stuttered. “Don’t want to drown.” I laughed awkwardly and Matt looked confused. He wasn’t the only one!
“I wouldn’t let you drown, Chica.” He smiled, but I could see he was worried he had upset me.
“I know you wouldn’t.” I agreed as I sat up. I reached as far as I could towards him, and he caught on and leant in too, quickly taking control of the situation and kissing me until I was back in that lust filled haze once again.
“Livy?” The knocking on the door startled both of us and we pulled apart way more dramatically than we needed to at the sound of Cole’s voice. “You ok in there, Babygirl?”
“I….uh, yeah. I’m good.” I called back, trying to make my confused brain function and focus on something other than the stunning man before me.
“Where’s Matt? I thought he was staying with you?” Cole asked. I could hear the stress in his voice. I had freaked them all out again! I hated it.
“He’s in here with me.” I replied, then realised that sounded bad and hurriedly added, “The bathroom! Not the tub!”
“We’ll be out in a few minutes bro.” Matt added, a chuckle in his words at my panic. Cole was laughing outside the door too, and I couldn’t help but join in.
It was amazing, that no matter what happened, how dark my day had been, my guys could always find a way to make me feel safe, and to put a smile on my face.
Was that the definition of a soul mate? Someone, who even in your darkest hour, could help you find those slivers of light once again? Who could face the horrors of life while standing strong at your side, fighting with you against whatever came, not against you? Was that why some couples survived tragedy while others turned on each other and crumbled? It made sense to me. I knew in the face of fear and danger my guys would be standing firmly at my side, fighting through every second of it. They had already proven that. I also knew once we fought whatever came, we would always be there for one another to find the light once again and to find our happiness. I knew, if such a thing really did exist, the four of them were my soulmates. I loved them, and more than anything I wanted to spend the rest of my life with them. I wanted the good times, the bad times and everything in between.
CHAPTER 19
KYLE
Liv was fast asleep, snoring so delicately in my arms in the middle of her bed. Matt and Cole were both on twin mattresses on the floor, the both of them snoring too. We had all set up camp in her room, and put on a comedy movie to try and keep her mind from what had happened with that guy’s girlfriend earlier in the night.
I was fuming that the girl had dared to seek out Liv, just to blame her for surviving. How dare she? She didn’t know Liv, or about any of the hell she had survived in the eight fucking years she had been trapped with that monster! She hadn’t even stopped to consider that her boyfriend, this ‘Chris’, wanted to get Livy out; that in escaping Livy had likely just done whatever Chris told her to in the midst of the chaos.
No, she had just channeled all of her hurt and anger into our girl, who already spent most days just fighting to keep on going.
I got it, in a way. I knew how angry and destroyed I would be if the person I loved died. Just the thought was enough to make me feel physically ill, so I got her hatred and anger, but that understanding only went so far.
I had called Rob for info that night, and had a name for Chris’s girlfriend, Kara Hines. She was a nursing student at CSU, and lived just outside the city with her mom. When I checked the security cameras set up outside the gates of the house, I had found her lurking around out front that evening, then watched as she jumped in her car and followed Matt’s truck when they headed out on their date. It was how she had found Liv in that bar, she had fucking followed her, and for who knew how long?
I hoped her selfish outburst in the bar would be the last Liv ever had to see of her, but I wasn’t taking any more risks. I was headed to see Kara tomorrow morning, and I would warn her to stay the hell away. No way was I going to sit back and let her tear any more pieces from my girl. Liv was already dealing with far more than any one person should ever have to. Chris’s death was not going to be another weight piled onto her shoulders.
“Ky? How is she?” Kade asked. I looked up, shocked to see him sliding into the room. I hadn’t even heard the door open, which was really not like me.
“Good so far. She’s been asleep for a couple of hours.” I
