Deal?

Warm breath fanning over my neck brought me out of my deep sleep.

It was the first time I haven't woken up in the middle of the night, in a cold sweat, screaming. With visions of my tours in Afghanistan flashing through my mind. I was one of the lucky few who were only haunted in their dreams. I was diagnosed with Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when I came back from my second tour. Sadly it's the reality most veterans face. It's not something I share, I don't want pity. I knew the possible consequences of war and now i'm paying the price. But at least I still have my life, all my limbs, family and friends. That's a hell of a lot more than most soldiers can say they have.

I wonder why I didn't have my usual nightmares last night. It must have been one of my good nights.

My pillow was firm but comforting. I was nice and toasty, I never want to leave this bed. I swear I just felt my pillow moving. Pillows don't move, I must still be in dreamland. Ah marshmallows and unicorns.

My thoughts were cut short by my bladder. I really had to pee. I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. The curtains were closed. I tried to wiggle out of the bed but something was restricting my movements. I was never good with being caged up. So I tried to move again. Nothing. It was then I noticed I was face to face with not a pillow but a chest. I was looking directly at an arm but it didn't stop when it hit the bed. So I followed it and realised that arms where what were stopping me from moving. They were holding my waist. I was still hazy, so I followed the arms again until I saw a chest and I hesitantly looked up. It was none other than Mr sexy jerkface himself.

Last night I tried to escape. Last night I went downstairs. Last night I fell asleep on the couch and now i'm here.

I started wriggling again but was once again cut off but it wasn't my thoughts this time.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you princess."

I thought his voice was husky before, his morning voice would reduce any girl to a moaning mess. I froze in my spot. I then got what he meant by I shouldn't do that. I let out a squeal as I felt just how happy he was.

"I eh I n-need to uh use the bathroom"

I've never been in this position before, i've never been this close to a guy before.

"no just stay here and go to sleep"

"so first you kidnap me, then make me share a bed with your huge elephant ass and now denying me my right to use the bathroom. Just fucking fantastic"

He let out a groan and untangled his hands from my waist. I took this opportunity to make a run for the bathroom.

I came out and found myself staring at a tanned, toned, musclier back covered in tattoo's and scars. I always had a thing for guys with tattoo's. They just turned me on. I felt the need to run my fingers across the tribal ink on his back but I knew I couldn't. I would lose my pride and I would never live it down.

"Take a picture it will last longer."

I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of trying to come up with a comeback I simply pulled on my jeans and top, Which I had found earlier. And awkwardly wriggled out of the nightdress.

We walked into the kitchen and everyone stopped talking. By everyone I mean Zac, Aaron and a pretty girl. She was just smaller than me, had bright red hair, hazel eyes and freckles. Aaron had a protective arm around her waist. Oh so she must be Bonnie, the one who changed me.

We were all just awkwardly staring at each other. Then I heard a meow. My attention snapped towards the door. I saw the cutest cat ever. He was pitch black, but had one distinctive feature. He had one green eye and one blue eye. I am more of a dog person but I love cats as well.

So I walked over and the cat wrapped it's tail around my legs and rubbed his head off me. I bent down and picked him up. I held him like you would a baby and rubbed his belly. You could almost hear the crickets. I looked up and everyone was staring at me.

The cat was purring as I whispered "what?" They all sat there with huge eyes and mouths wide open.

"How? How? That devil beast ! How did you tame him?" That was Zach blabbering more to himself.

"What do you mean? He's an adorable kitty cat. He couldn't hurt a fly. Stop being such a wuss"

"I have wounds from that demonic cat look" he rolled up his sleeve and showed me the scratches that covered his forearm.

"Well don't show fear and grow a pair" Zach just glared at me as I put the cat down. Aaron sniggered and Zach slapped him upside the head.

"Hi we haven't met i'm Bonnie, Aaron's mat-Girlfriend, the one that kind of eh changed you" I put my hand out for her to shake but she caught me in a hug instead. I stumbled backwards but a hand on my lower back steadied me. The tingles told me it was Luke. "Bonnie be careful."

"Oh i'm so sorry, sometimes I forget. Are you ok? I will never forgive myself if I hurt you. Do you want to sit down. Oh My God please don't hate me."

I couldn't help but laugh. I place my hands on her shoulders.

"Hi Bonnie i'm Alex, now Hun look at me, ok, breath in and out. I'm fine. I'm not hurt and i'm not pregnant. Now relax." She smiled and hugged me again

"thank you, thank you, thank you." At this point we all laughed at her and her cheeks tinted pink as Aaron enveloped her in a hug.

"Don't let this one go Luke, she's special." Here we go again.

I DO NOT BELONG TO HIM.

Luke simply nodded and I detected a hint of a smile.

I offered to make breakfast seeing as no one else was going to do it. 4 full english breakfasts and a plate of pancakes for Bonnie later. We're all sitting around the kitchen counter with empty plates in front of us.

"So Alex where are you from, with an accent like that you're definitely not from around here" I think this was Bonnie's attempt at making conversation.

"Uh i'm from London"

"AS IN LONDON, ENGLAND LONDON?"

"Sir yes sir.....I mean yes" I quickly corrected myself as I noticed the weird looks I was getting. I heard Zach mutter

"of course he get's a hot Londoner."

I guess he's talking about Luke. Luke doesn't get me. He took me. Luke obviously heard him as well because he stepped closer to me and I stood my ground.

Bonnie was talking to me about London. I haven't yet mentioned that I didn't get the opportunity to experience it. I'm not going to tell them that i'm a Marine. I wonder if Bonnie noticed my dog tags when she changed me.

Luke tensing behind me brought me out of the daze I was in. I looked up at him to see what happened. Zach, Bonnie and Aaron all had the same rigid stance as Luke. All with their eyes clouded over. I think i'm missing something here.

Fast enough they all came back to reality.

"Alex we have to go, something has come up. You can't leave this house. It's too dangerous for you to go outside by yourself."

"So i'll be here in this big house all by myself?"

This is perfect, I can escape.

"Not exactly, we all know as soon as we go out that door you won't be far behind. So Bonnie is going to stay with you"

Looking Bonnie up and down, I could take her. Maybe my chances aren't completely ruined.

Bonnie decided to join in on the conversation

"Actually I was planning on going to the mall. We could go together?"

"Ya that's a great idea and we'll pick you up there when we're done."

She squealed and lopped her arm with mine.

"We're going to have so much fun shopping. I haven't had a girl to shop with in ages and guys just aren't the same. No offence Aaron. We'll get you a whole new wardrobe and out of these clothes."

They were making plans as if I wasn't there.

"Do I get a say in this?"

The boys talked over my head as if I wasn't there and Bonnie wouldn't make eye contact. I can not spend another second like this.

"No"

They stopped talking and looked at me.

"No. I have gone through too much shit in my life to be kidnapped in a foreign country with kidnappers who act like nothing is happening. So you will have to lock me up in the basement because I. Will. Fight."

"Uh we'll wait outside" with that they left.

Leaving Luke and I alone in the house. For the first time Luke stepped away from me. He is nervously running his fingers over his knuckles. I have known him for less than two days but I already know that this is unusual behaviour.

His eyes shifting around the rooms as if the walls will give him a prompt. The black and purple under his left eye makes the blue of his iris pop. I think I made an improvement on his now perfect face.

"Look at you"

He paused for dramatic effect but it just gave me time to swing another right hook. If his aim was to insult me, he has succeeded. My fist did not make contact with his face this time, instead he caught my hand and gave me a disapproving look. Lifting my foot I gave him a sharp kick in the shin as payback.

"I mean, you've lost all colour in your cheeks. Every time you stand up, you nearly collapse. I can see you once had a lot of fire in you but the flame is burning out. You are struggling and since you have not once asked for your phone, I guess you're too proud to seek help or else you have no one to turn to. When we found you we noticed you were living out of your car. I know you think we kidnapped you but can't you see we're just trying to help you. I know you're apprehensive as any person would be. You don't know us but we know you. You have to trust us. If we wanted to hurt you we would have by now. So please, I am begging you. Let us help you get back on your feet, you obviously have a story. After that if you want, you can"

Luke struggled greatly with finishing his last sentence.

"You can leave."

He sounded broken and defeated. I'm used to making quick decisions, my life used to depend on it. I might regret this. If anyone knew what I was doing they'd tell me i'm crazy but Luke does have a good point. They have done nothing but help me get better. Did I fall down the rabbit hole or what. Destiny has some sick sense of humour.

Making eye contact for the first time I sighed.

"I have a few ground rules"

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Author's Note :

Will Alex regret this decision?

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