Chapter 32

Peering through my semi-closed lashes I watched Wes take the empty bowl of soup away, although I swore not to eat anything he made I couldn't ignore my neglected belly's cries for food. Much to my shame I literally inhaled the soup once Wes was a safe distance away.

Confident that Wes wasn't around I opened my lids and stretched hearing my body cracking in response, I've been in bed all day and I feel like a caged animal. It doesn't help either that my feet are aching from the heels I wore yesterday but I didn't dare utter a word about my discomfort or ask for help. That would mean asking for him for assistance and I am not going down that path especially after our conversation earlier when he asked for a chance.

How can he ask me something so serious and expect an answer right away? This isn't a shirt that he can give back later when he no longer wants it, it's my heart. A part of me I'm terrified to leave vulnerable once again so I responded in by throwing the sheets over my head. A childish response I am aware of that but I needed time to weigh my options and determine if taking a chance on Wes would prove worth it or end with me broken again. I'm confused and speaking with Wes would add on that confusion.

Swinging my feet over the bed I lowered one foot, wincing as I touched the floor. It felt like hundreds of needles were bring pushed into my foot. Sucking in a deep breath I jumped off the bed hoping I'd adjust to the uncomfortable feeling but boy was I wrong. The stabbing sensation grew intense now that my full body weight was on them, gritting my teeth I tried taking a step but the hurt worse than standing. A soft whimper passed my lips as I fell backwards back on the bed regretting my foolish decision to try standing.

"What happened?" Wes asked as he barged into the room his eyes scanning the room for any danger

He fixes his gaze on my new position before he started forward, his shoulders losing some of the tension. My heart leapt in my chest as he sat on the bed eyeing my slightly red feet "How long have they been like this?"

"A w-while." I shrugged hoping it covered my small stutter

The corners of his mouth dipped into a frown, clearly displeased by my answer "Does it hurt?" he asked as he pulled my legs back over the bed

Gulping nervously I watched him set my feet on his lap as my imagination ran wild causing my common sense to take the backseat. I need a clear mind, stay focused!

"A little." I finally answered in a firm voice that neither trembled or broke

His large hands lifted one foot up as his long, tanned fingers started to rub the soft center of my foot and I melted. The gentle strokes of his fingers against the sore area had my body relaxing and a moan bubbling in my throat. That felt so good. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip I barely contained the sounds of pleasure that threatened to explode out of me as his long fingers stroked up the pad of my big toe.

The mix of his calloused hands and soft, careful strokes were a match made in panty ripping heaven. Where did he learn to give massages like this?

"How does this feel?" he asked

"Gooood." I moaned unable to keep from stretching the o's

The smile tugging at his lips irked me but I was too wrapped up in the movement of his fingers to give a care.

"What did you do to them anyway?"

"Heels."

His smile widened at my one word answer and the sight took my breath away. It seems like forever since I've seen Wes smile -a genuine smile, not his infamous smirks. Now before me I have the pleasure of the dazzling, pearly smile that shows the other -kinder- side of Wes I didn't know till after this deal.

The happy mood seemed to fizzle down at the reminder of our deal, my lips dropped into a frown recalling that as of now Wes has no obligations to me. There was no reason for us to go to the others apartment or speak or even visit the other, right? Unless we could be friends?

My feelings are unclear at the moment but what I do know is I'd miss Wes's presence. It's a refreshing change to what I've come accustomed to in my life, he's different in his own way and well -he's just Wes. Would he agree to being friends? Did i want to be friends only with him? I haven't had as much relationships is most people or even successful ones but I know what I feel when I'm around Wes is special. He makes me feel as if I'm the prettiest woman in the world and he speaks to me with a sense of respect I only receive from colleagues and how could I forget the way he sets my body in flames, something no one has been able to do before.

'Take a chance.' A voice whispered.

Could I though? Could I actually jump into this with both feet prepared for the consequences of my actions? Glancing up through my lashes I found his stormy pale blue eyes trained on me.

"You were thinking about it."

He spoke it as a statement rather than a question and I nodded noticing that he had started on my other foot "I'm confused." I admitted softly

"About us?"

I shook my head "About me." I answered watching his brows dip downwards "I don't know what I want." I clarified

His forehead smoothed of the worried lines "Do you like me?"

"Yes." I answered immediately

"Are you attracted to me?" he asked gently taking in my every reaction

"Yes."

"Do you want me physically?"

My cheeks grew warm at the blunt question but still I responded rather timidly "Yes."

His fingers stilled on my foot, the sudden intensity in the depths of the pale blue orbs frightening me.

"Do you want me?"

"I already told you yes." I replied confusingly

He shook his head causing an ebony lock to fall across this forehead and the urge to brush it back was strong but I withheld myself. "You answered if you wanted me physically."

"That's the same thing."

"No it isn't. This question means do you want me in all my flaws, both physical and emotional as much as I want you. I want a relationship with you that goes beyond the bedroom, the question is do you?"

Yes.

No.

The two words tore me apart as I struggled to come up with an answer for him. I want Wes in a way I haven't wanted any other man but he's different, so much from myself and my usual type. What if it didn't work out? If he grew bored of me or just couldn't help but continue skirt chasing? The 'what if's' circled my mind like a carousel, spinning my fears and hopes around me beckoning me to choose. Am I in and risking my most valued treasure or am I out, taking the coward's way. Each path seemed tempting in it's own way.

I could walk into the unknown with a smile never knowing if I'd come out in one piece or walk down a path I'm accustomed to just as miserable and alone as before.

"I don't know." I spoke the words out loud

"It's easy, if you want me then it's a yes if you don't-" he trailed off allowing me to piece the rest myself

But it wasn't that easy! Nothing about my relationship with Wes is easy. Nothing about my feelings for him are easy! It's all a jumbled up mess I've been hoping to avoid for as long as possible and now here I am trying to untangle the mess.

"I don't know." I repeated with a shake of my head

"It's simple-"

"No it isn't, not for me anyway." I snapped

He remained silent for a few seconds as if mulling over what I said. "You're worried I'd hurt you?" he finally spoke

My body slumped against the headboard in exhaustion "Yes."

Dropping my gaze to my foot cradled in the a pair of large, tanned hands that were longer than my feet themselves.

"I'm scared to give this a chance because it never ends well for me. You have been nothing but nice to me most of the time but so have the other guys I've dated, it's all pretty and romantic at first then life drops down on me. I like you although I'm unsure of the extent I know that for sure and I'm scared to follow these feelings. Scared to allow another man in after barely putting myself together."

I jumped up startled by the fingers brushing the stray tears I hadn't noticed away and before I could suck in a breath Wes slid forward edging himself between my legs his eyes glimmering with determination so bright it frightened me.

"I wouldn't hurt you." he whispered

The gentle brush of his fingers sent my skin ablaze "But you did already."

"For that I am sorry, baby." he said softly and kissed the tip of my nose "I can't change the past but I can promise a better future."

I dropped my gaze from his unable to stare into his eyes and see that vulnerability in them, to see the silent pleading shining back at me. His fingers brushed my cheekbone, the butterfly graze sending a warm tingle that ran down to the core of my heart and jolted the almost forgotten organ awake.

I know he's waiting for my response and to be honest I don't have one yet.

"Wes I don't-" I began when I was interrupted by a ringing

It was as if the heavens heard my silent plea and the timing couldn't have been better. Wes fished out his phone obviously irritated by the interruption whilst I was beaming.

"Hey." he greeted

There was a long response that I didn't understand but judging by Wes's expression it wasn't good. His brows pulled together as his sister continued on her voice cracking with every second that she spoke.

"Relax Marbella he needs time to calm down. Give him his pills with his dinner and he should be out like a night light without any memory again."

Again the response was in Italian and it seemed to anger Wes further. His hand fell from my face as his sister continued to speak. Curious as to what was happening I sat up watching Wes sigh in frustration "I can't right now Marbella, give him his medicine and keep the kids clear of him for a while. I'm busy tonight."

Her shouted response was clear as day and in English "With the rich bitch!"

To say I was offended by her insult was an understatement, I've never met the woman yet she thinks she can insult me as if she knew me.

"Don't start Marbella." Wes growled "I'll drop by tomorrow to check on him, goodnight." he spoke in a cold tone and hung up with his sister shouting for him to listen to her

Tossing his phone aside Wes released a gust of air and stood up "I'll make you a cup of tea." he said with meeting my gaze

As he walked away I couldn't help but glimpse at his expression, the stone cold look vaguely familiar. Racking my brain for when I saw him like that I sank back into the bed as the light banging sounds in the kitchen indicating he began making the tea. I didn't bother mentioning that I don't hate tea but I'd much rather preferred coffee, it's enough that he willingly went to make. It's something nobody ever did for me.

When I was younger and I got sick my mother would keep one of the maids at my bedside to tend to any requests I should have, my mother would stay clear until whatever I caught was completely gone. For days I wouldn't see any of my family or anyone for that matter except for the one maid who would glower at me for the duration of my ill state. This treatment is definitely better than what I am use to and he hasn't asked for anything in return.

Guilt gnawed at my insides as I tried finding a way to ease my guilty conscious but I couldn't. Wes never complained when I refused to acknowledge his presence throughout the day or when I hid beneath the covers when he asked me if I wanted him. Nor did he complain about being my nurse all day and cooking while I sneezed in bed hiding from him every time he came to check up on me. Wes has no true obligation to me especially after I ended our deal, he could have just went home last night and not even glanced back in my direction but he didn't. He could have left after his sister called and judging by the urgency in her tone he should have. Yet here he remains.

Chewing on my lip I sat up thinking back to our conversation earlier, pondering on what he said and wondering if anything he said held any truth. Shaking my head of any doubt I knew the answer before I even thought the question. Yes. One thing Wes hasn't been during our time together is a liar and a faker. He's been honest in his reactions and responses to what he has seen for both my family and me. That's what made him different, his ability to stay true to who he was.

Honesty. A trait neither of my past boyfriends had and a trait rarely found in the circle of people I'm constantly surrounded by.

Then why not give him a shot, a voice asked.

I wanted to have a response for that but the longer I thought the longer I came up blank. Any doubts I had before seemed to have disappeared and I found myself trying to find any reason to put off any thoughts of getting together. Would it actually be so bad to give a decent guy who genuinely seems to care for me a chance?

Drawing my knees to my chest I found myself second guessing my previous decision. My thoughts a mess of pros and cons that canceled each other out each time.

"I found some chamomile in your cupboards and I thought you'd prefer it." Wes said as he entered the room with a teacup cradled in his large hands

He set the cup down on the nightstand and took the seat at the edge of the bed "Thank you."

He graced me with a soft smile that was strained from the corners of his mouth "You should drink that now it'll help you sleep better."

With a nod I lifted the teacup and took a sip loving this brand of tea but still I'd prefer a cup of straight on caffeine, I wouldn't sleep afterwards but at least my body would have that extra boost of energy it thrived. Quickly finishing the cup I yawned feeling the first signs of fatigue seeping into my body. Collecting the empty cup Wes left the room and returned in seconds with a soft smile.

"Wes?" I called out feeling my eyes droop as I crawled beneath the covers

"Hmmm."

"Who were you talking about with your sister?"

His lips fell into a frown and I almost blurted never mind when he answered in a small voice that I barely heard "My dad."

Numerous questions formed in my mind, each one producing three after it as my curiosity peeked at the still mysterious life that was Wes'. Lifting the covers three fourths of the way up Wes placed a chaste kiss on my forehead "See you in the morning."

"Goodnight." I replied

He started to turn away when I reached my hand out and caught his warm, long fingers by the tips. Halting he turned around puzzled as of why I stopped him, even I didn't understand where my courage came from. It was my first instinct to reach for him I'm not quite sure why I didn't want Wes to leave so soon.

"Would you mind-" I trailed off wondering what has gotten into me

Forty eight hours ago I was cursing the day I met him and now I'm asking him into my bed. It just feels like we both need this. I tightened my fingers around his in silent questioning and kept my gaze on his. His eyes boggled in shock as I continued to stare into there depths awaiting his reply.

"Are you sure?" he questioned as he turned towards the bed

Pushing aside the sensible part of me that shouted this was a bad idea and all thoughts against this I nodded "I'm not sure about what I want for us but I do want you." I admitted proudly

The corners of his mouth jerked upwards, slipping his hand away he pulled his tank top over his head as he kicked off his shoes. His fingers paused at the brass button of his jeans, glancing down at me I knew his question before he could ask. With a smile of my own I nodded and watched the denim slid off his muscular legs, if it weren't for the fact that I was sick all day I would have pulled him to me and begged for him to take me.

Restrain yourself!

Eagerly he crawled in behind me, his toned body warm and perfect against my softer one. Immediately his arm slid around my waist causing my butt to fit against his hardened member and I couldn't have been more comfortable. I nuzzled further into the pillow a smile playing on my lips when I felt his nose against the back of my neck inhaling my scent.

"Night." I sighed content with our position

He placed a soft kiss against the side of my neck causing me to squirm uncomfortably "Don't let the bed bugs bite." he said and nipped my neck playfully

**********

What are we thinking of Wes now? Has he made up for his bad behavior yet or does he need to grovel more? Most of you were leaning towards Team we like Wes again in the last chapter so I'm curious to see the numbers now....

Also I'd like to thank everyone who corrects my mistakes nicely, I appreciate it since I miss a few things while editing and also thank those people who rush to defend me. I love you all so please don't fight:)