chapter 12

All day long the four drove to the hotel they where staying at. Leah and Jeff had spent all day in each other’s arms, apologizing to each other for letting each other get hurt. Matt and Amy had a match on Raw but Jeff didn’t and he had no need to go to the arena so he stayed with Leah at the hotel.

Jeff sat on one bed, as Leah was in the bathroom changing form her clothes in to a more comfortable shirt and short black skirt. She knew as she was around Jeff she didn’t have to hide the marks. But if she was going to show anything of she knew it was he legs as most of the marks had almost gone.

"Jeff", Chloe called as she entered the living room. "Oh Jeff!” she cried when she saw Jeff sitting on the couch, his eyes closed, a small trail of dried blood caked on his face.

Leah rushed to his side and sat beside him. "Jeff, I’m so sorry", she said earnestly, holding his hand.

"Don’t worry hon. its not your fault", Jeff said and tried to smile, his right eye flinching.

As he turned his head to face her, Leah noticed the area near his right eye a little red from hit Simon gave him.

"Oh Jeff, your eye's getting swollen", Leah exclaimed, fully concerned." Here, let me get some ice for you.” She offered. He nodded and she went to the small bar that sat in the corner of the room and took the lid of the ice bucket. She grabbed a cloth and put several pieces of ice in it before wrapping it up and walking back to Jeff. She sat down beside him and softly placed the ice on his forehead. His hand came up in reaction to the coldness. His hand rested on hers. “I’m so sorry Jeff” She said whole heartedly.

“But it is my fault. I should have never come to you. I should have stayed away. I knew he would hurt you in someway.”

“Leah please.” Jeff said removing her hand and the ice pack. He looked into her eyes. “It’s not your fault I swear to you. I got this because I went for him. You couldn’t have stopped me. I wanted to hurt him and I did. And if me getting a hit on the head is what it cost then so be it.”

“No. Listen to me. He’s not coming anywhere near you any more I promise. I’m never going to let him hurt you. Never.” He said speaking from the heart.

“Thank you Jeff.” Leah said as she leant forward and placed a kiss on Jeff’s cheek. “You’re the only person who cares that he beats me. My family don’t. They just brush it of as one of those things.”

“I know that and I’m so grateful to them and to you.” She said as Jeff reached out to her and pulled her closer to him.

“I won’t I promise.” She said leaning against him. Her head lay on his shoulder and he placed a soft slow kiss on her forehead. His lips hovered over her soft skin as he placed a hand on her side and made her lift her head and turn and face him.

“Good.” He said softly as he ran his fingers lightly over her cheek. “Good.” He repeated as one of Leah’s hands came up to Jeff’s face and cupped her hand around the side of his face and her thumb rubbing his cheek.

They both sat in silence as their hands caressed each other’s faces. Jeff’s fingers slowly moved down to Leah’s cheek and hovered over her lips, gently massaging them under his touch. Leah looked deep into Jeff’s eyes. Jeff’s other hand came up Leah’s sore side and around her neck. He slowly pulled Leah towards him, his finger still on her lips. His own lips where now brushing against the back of his finger and he slowly removed his fingers. His lips almost touching Leah’s. They both closed their eyes and let the mouths take over. Jeff moved his lips lightly over Leah’s and she responded by doing the same. For a minute their lips touched but never in a kiss.

Finally Jeff plucked up the courage to press his lips against Leah. Leah pressed her back against his, letting Jeff slowly part her lips and his tongue slid into her mouth. Leah let Jeff hold her. She was kissing him back and she knew it. She didn’t want to be. It wasn’t right.