XOXOXOXOXOXO
Chapter 31
Sofia
I opened my eyes to find myself alone, and the bedroom flooded with light.
"James?" I called, stretching my arms above my head and reaching for my phone, "SHIT!"
It was eleven-thirty, and I scrambled out of bed to get dressed.
Did James go to school and leave me home to sleep?
Damnit!
I told him I wanted to go back!
"Hey, baby," James leaned against the doorframe, smirking at my frazzled state.
Don't act all innocent!
At least he's still here.
He can take me to school.
"Why did you let me sleep so long?!" I huffed, running past him to the bathroom.
"You were sleeping so peacefully, I couldn't wake you," he shrugged, positioning himself in the bathroom doorway.
That is not an excuse to make me miss my classes.
I've already missed so much.
I'm going to fall behind.
I'm not going to graduate.
I'll end up on the Dean's list instead of the Chancellor's list, and I REFUSE to let that happen!
I've worked too damn hard for this!
"Can you drive me to the college?" I frowned, ripping the brush through my unruly hair.
Where are the FUCKING SCISSORS?!
"Nope," he smiled, sliding the brush out of my hand and taking over.
James Talbert.
I'm not in the mood, sir.
"I can't stay home again," I huffed, crossing my arms as he brushed my hair.
"We aren't going to stay home, baby," he chuckled, tenderly brushing out my tangles.
I love it when he brushes my hair...
Don't let him win, Sofia.
Make him take you to school.
"I have to go to school, James Talbert," I glared at him in the mirror.
"We will, on Monday," he kissed my shoulder, "Mom arranged everything for us to have the rest of the week off,"
The rest of the week?!
I'm FINE!
"You guys can't keep me in a bubble," I mumbled, "It's not necessary,"
"I will always keep you in a bubble," he stated sternly, "Our bubble, and I'll do whatever I have to to keep you happy,"
He just cares about me.
Maybe I'm being too harsh...
Let him love you.
"Ugh," I sighed, "Fine. What are we going to do then?"
"You'll see," he chuckled, grabbing my straightener and plugging it in, "We'll leave at one,"
Is he planning on straightening my hair?
Aww, it's cute you think it will only take a couple of hours.
"You're going to straighten my hair?" I giggled, "We won't get out of here until four,"
"I've always wanted to know what it would look like straight," he shrugged, "You have a straightener, but you never use it,"
"Sasha gave it to me last year; she straightened it once, but I'm afraid to do it myself," I admitted, frowning.
I wouldn't even let Sasha finish...
"I promise I won't burn you," he smiled understandingly and wrapped his arms around my waist, "I'll never hurt you, princess,"
He's so understanding.
"I know you won't," I leaned my head against his chest and looked up into his eyes, "I love you, James,"
"I love you too, Sofia," he leaned down and kissed me, "Are you hungry?"
I nodded, and he ran out of the room, coming back with a protein bar and a bottle of water.
I sat cross-legged on the counter, eating my bar and letting him straighten my hair as we listened to music for an hour and a half.
"Done," he smiled and pulled me off the counter.
That was quick.
It's crazy how good he is at doing my hair.
My hair cascaded down to the middle of my thighs, and I groaned.
My hair is so curly, I had no idea I've let it get this long...
Take that Miranda.
Maybe I should get it cut.
I've made my point, I guess.
I'm sure James would cut it for me if I asked him to.
He grabbed a hair tie and pulled it up into a ponytail on top of my head.
"You are so beautiful, baby," he breathed, pulling me to his chest and kissing down my neck.
I closed my eyes as he gently sucked on the skin above my collarbone, trying my best not to dig my nails into his arms.
"You like that?" he whispered, trailing his lips up under my ear and resuming the motion.
I nodded, slightly rolling my head to the side and moaning.
James picked me up and placed me back on the counter, wrapping my legs around his waist as he began biting and sucking harder.
He's going to leave a mark, but I don't care.
It feels too damn good.
He finally released his lips from my neck and trailed kisses to my mouth, running his tongue across my bottom lip.
I parted my lips enough to give him access to mine, and I could feel him smile against my mouth as he deeply penetrated my mouth with his tongue.
JAMES!
I blushed and pulled away, hiding my face in his chest.
I looked up sheepishly to find him smiling brightly down at me, and he pulled my chin back up to him, kissing the side of my mouth tenderly.
"Let's go pack, gorgeous," he whispered, picking me up and carrying me to our room.
"How long will we be gone?" I asked, tossing clothes on the bed.
"Three days," he stated, laying the suitcase on the bed, "Bring your bathing suit,"
Well, we're going swimming.
Maybe camping again?
Just the two of us...
I love spending time alone with him.
I nodded and tossed my bikini in the bag along with my other outfits.
He tossed the suitcase and our backpacks in the bed of the truck and held my door open for me.
I hooked my phone up to the Bluetooth and snuggled close to James as we began driving.
We passed the Indiana state sign, and I pulled my phone out.
Indiana, huh?
Maybe he's taking me to a concert?!
Who's playing here?
"Don't you dare try to guess where we're going," he laughed, stealing my phone and putting it in his pocket, "I thought you liked surprises,"
"I love surprises, baby," I grinned, "I'm just curious as to where you're taking me,"
"I knew I should have opted for the blindfold," he rolled his eyes playfully, "You'll see, princess,"
I playfully shoved his shoulder and excitedly waited to see what he had planned.
We entered Indianapolis at three-fifteen, and James parked in front of a hotel.
"I'll be right back," he smiled, jumping out of the truck and running into the lobby.
I couldn't wait to find out what he had planned; he was trying so hard to make me happy.
As much as I wish I was at school, I can't deny the fact that spending time with him has become an essential part of my life.
In less than a month, he has become the center of my universe, and I know I am the center of his.
I am undeniably addicted to how he looks at me, takes care of me, and touches me.
James has put himself in inexplicable danger to keep me by his side.
He was so worried about me when I left; he flew across the country to get me back.
The memory of his face when he ran to me after catching Sam flooded my mind.
James would do anything for me.
Why do I keep forgetting that he is my knight?
I need to stop fighting him.
I need to let him take control.
In every way.
"Okay, baby, are you ready?" James smiled, extending his hand to help me out of the truck.
"Yeah," I nodded, taking his hand quickly and letting him lead me to our room.
"Happy one-month anniversary, baby," he grinned, opening the door.
I walked in and gasped.
Holy.
Fucking.
WHAT!?
The room was huge.
There was a living room with an oversized plush couch against the wall opposite a large flatscreen TV, a kitchen with a dining table. The master bedroom was behind two giant french doors, and a jacuzzi sat in the corner beside two more french doors that led to a balcony.
"James," I breathed, unable to move, "This is amazing,"
"You're amazing," he wrapped his arms around my waist, staring into my eyes, "I wanted to do something special for you,"
I wonder if mom and dad know about this.
This is extravagant.
Why does he keep going overboard on me?
I would have been fine sleeping outside.
"Everything you do for me is special," I blushed, "But this is too much,"
"Never," he shook his head, "There is no such thing as too much for my girl," He rubbed his nose on mine and pulled me from the room, "Let's go before we get too comfortable; we have plans, baby!"
I laughed as he picked me up over his shoulder and ran back out to the truck.
We had lunch at Bazbeau pizza, and he told me to close my eyes when we got back in the truck.
"No peeking," he chuckled, tickling me as he drove.
"I won't!" I giggled, pushing his hand away.
The truck stopped, and he grabbed my hand, "Keep them closed,"
I nodded, trusting him not to let me fall as we walked.
Loud music, the sound of glass breaking, and people yelling engulfed my eardrums, but I did my best not to open my eyes.
"Okay, baby," he whispered, and I snapped my eyes open.
A rage room?!
I've always wanted to try one of these!
"Oh hell yes!" I exclaimed, looking around the rage room.
"I thought you'd be happy!" he yelled, laughing as he handed the man at the counter two pieces of paper.
"Have you two ever been to a rage room before!?" The man yelled over the loud crashes around us.
We both shook our heads, and he pointed to the rule sign that read - WEAR SAFETY EQUIPMENT and DON'T HIT OTHER PEOPLE.
"That's all you need to know!" he yelled, handing us forms to fill out, "Fill these out and come back to get your gear!"
I grabbed a pen and happily filled out the liability forms.
"This is going to be fucking awesome!" James smiled, taking my papers back to the man.
We geared up and were led to a wall of weapons that ranged from baseball bats to swords.
Hmm...
What would I like to slam through a TV screen...
A mace?
Ooh, a nail board, perhaps?
No.
This.
I picked up a double-edged ax and tossed it between my hands as James picked up a sledgehammer.
"LET'S FUCKING DO THIS!" I yelled, walking into the room of TV monitors, computers, glass bottles, and wooden boxes while Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Five finger Death Punch blared over the speakers.
James swept his hand in the air to give me the first go, and I slammed my ax into a TV screen, immediately feeling the adrenalin rush.
IT FEELS SO GOOD!
FUCK MIRANDA!
I slammed it repetitively into the top of a computer, tossing the ax down and throwing it into the wall.
I picked up the keyboard and slammed it against a box, watching the keys explode from their base.
FUCK SAM!
I picked the Ax back up and slammed it into a box, splintering it to pieces and jumping on top of it to kick the boards loose.
fuck my family!
I swung the ax into another TV, pulverizing it.
Fuck everyone that has ever fucking touched me or called me 'Sofreaka'.
I tossed the ax down again, breathing heavily, and found James leaning against the wall in the corner, staring at me happily.
"You good?" he called, walking over to me.
"So good, baby!" I beamed, "God, that's fun!"
He pointed to the wall, and I took his place, watching him easily smash the other TVs and computers.
We both need this.
I don't have to imagine the thoughts going through his head because I am sure they are very close to mine.
James held his finger up and jogged out of the room, returning with a nail board.
He pointed to the bottles lined up along the wall, and I giggled, knowing what he wanted.
Let's play, baby.
I stood away from him and tossed the bottles in his direction, letting him hit them like baseballs.
The glass fell like snow around us, and we both laughed every time he shattered them.
James wrapped his arm around me, tapping his helmet to mine.
"I LOVE YOU!" he yelled, grinning widely.
"I LOVE YOU TOO!" I yelled back, squeezing his arm.
I love you too, James.
God, I love you too.
"We're going to have to do that again!" James laughed as we left the building.
"Yes, please!" I agreed, nodding excitedly, "I can see why people use this as a way to destress,"
"You feel good?" he asked, grabbing my shoulders firmly and staring into my eyes.
"I feel amazing," I smiled, "Thank you, baby,"
"We'll come back anytime you want," he kissed me, "I mean it,"
We got back in the truck, and he pulled me close to him.
"Now that we're relaxed," he laughed, wrapping his arm around me, "Do you want to go to the art museum?"
"Really?!" I squealed, kissing his cheek, "Yes!"
We got to the museum and wandered through the exhibits.
"Are you sure this isn't boring you?" I asked, linking my arm with James's.
I don't want to leave, but I know he'd probably rather do something more exciting.
I could stay here for days.
I can't wait to work in an art gallery.
"Not at all," he shook his head, gripping my arm tighter, "You want to work in the art field, and I'd like to learn more about it,"
I looked up at the sincere expression on his face and felt my chest tighten.
There Isn't a word good enough to describe my James.
He is an anomaly.
He is pure perfection.
He is far too good for me, but it's crystal clear that he doesn't think so.