Burning Love., Emily Zimmerman. [best books for 7th graders txt] 📗

foot was in a cast. I gently grasped his hand, trying to warm it with mine. “They’re both so sweet, Dan they didn’t deserve this.” I whispered.
Dan stroked my arm comfortingly, standing close to my side so I could lean into him. “No one ever does, Babe.”
I hated to admit it, but he was right. No one ever did deserve to end up in this place…but they did anyway. I sighed and walked over to the long, cushioned, backless bench that sat in front of the window that overlooked the parking lot. Dan sat down and pulled me into his lap, cradling me to his chest. “They’ll be alright.” He promised in my ear as I cuddled into him.
“Thank you, Dan.” I whispered, closing my eyes.

Aunt Mabel’s POV.
I struggled awake from the darkness that had pulled me down for so long. I slowly opened my eyes and squinted against the bright, florescent light above me. What was all this pain coming from? I lifted my head and looked down; realizing that my calf was wrapped in gauze and it was burning like crazy. The annoying beeping beside me told me where I was, I was in the hospital.
I remembered the fire, but I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten out. My immediate thought was Jess, where was he? I felt a hand grasp mine and looked over, relief instantly washing away the panic that was threatening to brew. Jess was safe. He smiled slightly at me, and lifted his hand, wincing. His arms were extensively wrapped in gauze. He put a finger to his lips and pointed to the corner of the room.
I looked over to find Sky, but not just Sky; she was in the lap of none other than Daniel Havens. He had his arms wrapped around her thin frame in an almost protective way. Sky was curled up, her head resting on Daniel’s chest, and her hand lying limply on his bicep. They were both sound asleep on the bench, looking like they’d both been through hell and back.
“When did they get here?” I whispered to Jess.
“Probably last night some time. They look right together, don’t you think?” Jess whispered back.
I nodded, they looked perfect together. I knew why Daniel was offering his home to Sky, and it wasn’t for common courtesy. I could see it in the way he looked at her, as if she were the only woman on earth. He cares for her more than they both know. They belonged together, I could feel it. “They look like a couple; all curled up together like that. I’m glad Sky’s finally openin’ up her heart again since that jackass ripped it apart a month back.” Jess muttered.
I gave his hand a light pat to calm him down. “He makes her happy. When she went out with us to look at property, I could see a gleam in her eye that I haven’t seen since her father was alive. I just hope he doesn’t hurt her.” I whispered.
“Yeah…me too.” Jess agreed.
Sky’s POV.
I awoke slowly, aware that I was sitting up. I was extremely comfortable, lying against a sturdy chest, the sensation of arms around me. I listened to Dan’s heart beat and his slow, even breathing, letting it pull me awake. I lifted my head and looked at his face, he looked worn out. I sighed as guilt seeped through, this was all my fault. I hadn’t realized how many times I’d woken up screaming at night, or how many times I’d pressed the eight button on the intercom because I’d woken up with a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I removed his arms from around my waist and quickly silenced my phone as it rang. I glanced at Aunt Mabel and Uncle Jess, they were both still sound asleep. I stepped outside the room and looked at the number and raised an eyebrow, I didn’t recognize it.
“Hello.”
“Hey Baby. Did you miss me?” my blood ran cold and I felt myself stumble into the wall behind me.
“John.” I breathed.
I heard his soft laugh, but there was a hard undertone to it. “I must say, I’m disappointed in you. You’re being a little whore, aren’t you my sweet? Tell me, does your little lover know anything about our little accidents?” he asked me in a sweet voice, but I knew better.
“He knows nothing.” I lied.
“Good. I’d have to kill him if he knew anything, remember?” he laughed darkly this time.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“Ah, ah, ah, I’ll ask the questions, Baby.” He said.
I waited for his question, clenching my hand into a fist and biting my lip. “Gram’s little…love interest, suddenly lost interest in him. After visiting you. Does she know about our little…accidents?” I could hear the threat in his voice.
“Of course not! I didn’t say anything to her about that.” I said, glad my voice didn’t waver.
I looked over as a hand landed on my shoulder. Dan studied the terror in my eyes for a long second before pulling his phone out and making a call.
“Good. We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt, now would we?”
“of course n-not.” I could feel myself losing it, I was about to break down in fear.
“I have to go, I love you Baby.” He said, before disconnecting.
I dropped my phone on the tiled floor and slid down the wall, running my hands through my hair in panic. He had my cell phone number, and he was watching us. Me being as stupid as I was, I’d only thought he was planting these things and leaving…but he was watching us.
I felt my breathing turn to hyperventilation and Dan leaned down in front of me. He put his hands on both sides of my face, staring into my eyes. “Sky, look at me.” Dan said softly, but firmly.
“He was watching us.” I gasped.
“Sky, calm down. He won’t hurt you. I won’t let him.” He told me.
I couldn’t calm myself down, he was watching! He saw me out with my mother, he saw…oh God…he saw what happened in the foyer between Dan and I!
Dan stared into my panicked eyes for a few seconds before his eyes turned determined. He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, almost instantly wiping my mind of what happened. I felt hands involuntarily snake around his waist, he moved his hands down to my waist and pulled me up so I was standing, pressing me back against the wall. He pulled away and I opened my eyes to meet his molten chocolate ones. “He won’t hurt you.” He said, determination and strength strong in his voice.
I could only nod, my mind was muddled with thoughts of him and I, doing some very dirty things that would make my father turn over in his grave. “I called Blake, he’s going to start searching for him.” He told me softly.
I oddly felt relief at his words. I’d thought telling the police would bring panic and feelings of insecurity, but I finally felt like this was going to end it, someone finally knew of my ex-husbands’ true nature.
“Daniel Havens, what a surprise.” At this voice, Dan immediately pulled away from me.
I looked at him in confusion, he stood in front of me in an almost protective pose. I looked around him at who the voice belonged to. “Hello Michaels, what brings you here?” Dan’s voice was almost a growl.
“My nephew’s wife is having a baby.”
“Ah, how nice for you. Shouldn’t you be with them now?” It was clear what Daniel was insinuating, he was practically telling him to leave his presence.
“I saw you come in with this girl last night and I thought I’d…drop in.” The dark undertone in his voice reminded me of John, who was this man? He seemed older, with only slightly greying black hair, and his grey-blue eyes were cold and emotionless, it brought shivers running down my spine.
“Skylar, go check on your Aunt and Uncle.” Dan told me, never taking his eyes off of the man.
“Daniel-“
“Go, Skylar, now.” He ordered.
I furrowed my eyebrows, but obeyed, I could tell by the desperate undertone that this man was no one to be trifled with. I stepped into the room and noticed that Aunt Mabel was awake. I quickly changed my expression so she wouldn’t see the worry there. “Hi Aunt Mabel, how are you feeling this morning?” I asked her softly as I approached.
“I’m fine. It’s your Uncle I’m worried about, look at his arms! And what happened to his foot?” she asked, looking at the cast.
“I don’t know Mabel, I think he broke it somehow in all the panic.” I informed.
She squeezed my hand and pat it. “so…are you and Damian…together?” she asked me suddenly.
I raised my eyebrows and quickly shook my head. “No, of course not! I…he’s just-“
“Oh, don’t give me that bull that he is just being kind. He’s fond of you. I saw the way you two were cuddled up together on the couch, I may be getting older, but I’m not dead! I see the way he looks at you, and I definitely see the way you look at him. Take my advice, snatch him up while he’s still available.” She told me.
She was right, of course. And she wasn’t getting old, she was forty seven and healthy as a horse. Her light, wavy blonde hair had only a few greys in it, and her dark brown eyes were still full of life.
“It’s more complicated than that, Mabel. I-I can’t explain why now but I will as soon as things calm down. I’m going to move out soon anyway, I’ll get a job and a new apartment…it just won’t be in Sabadell.” I sighed.
“What? Why would you move?”
Before I could answer, a voice I knew all too well cut through the calm air like a knife. “What?”
I closed my eyes for a second, gathering my courage, before looking at Dan. “Uh-oh.” Mabel whispered beside me.
“Let’s talk outside.” I murmured.
He nodded once, his eyes cold, face devoid of emotion. It scared me, I didn’t know this Daniel. I walked out to the hallway and took a deep breath before turning around, only to lose the breath as I came face to face with Daniel. He gripped my shoulders tightly. “You won’t leave me.” He said, his voice almost an order.
I felt tears brim in my eyes, and my heart constrict, leaving was the only option. “I have to. I need to get away before John gets any bolder.” I insisted.
He shook my shoulders lightly as he spoke, “I don’t care about John. John’s game is child’s play compared to what I’ve seen. He’s nothing.” Dan insisted.
I closed my eyes and felt a single tear run down my cheek. “I can’t stay, Daniel. I won’t.” I whispered.
He growled and pushed me up against the wall, smashing his lips to mine in a demanding kiss. I could feel myself melting into him, feel my body heat up as it molded to his. I shouldn’t let it happen…but I couldn’t stop myself. I opened my mouth with a sigh and he thrust his tongue in, meeting mine with a growl of pleasure from him.
He pulled away and stared into my eyes for a long moment. “I won’t let you leave me.” He whispered.
I felt the tears I’d been holding back brim over and I pushed his hands from my arms. “I can’t…I just can’t.” I said, and I walked away.
It was the hardest thing I’d ever done. I left him standing in the middle of the hall, memories of the