A Pinch of Cinnamon

Nick’s POV

I gaze down at the sleeping woman in my arms. She is simply amazing, and I can’t quite understand how lucky I am to have her. We haven’t talked about it, but after that kiss we shared, she’s definitely mine now.

It broke my heart seeing her so depressed. She seemed to think she did something wrong, but everyone has their bad days. I just wish she would take care of herself more.

I spent the time she was asleep updating my mom. She seemed to know a little about the situation but said Spencer needed to be the one to tell me. Hopefully, that will be soon. For now, she told me to take care of her and she would watch Jay and to not worry about him.

Spencer began to stir in my arms until her beautiful eyes blinked open. Seeing me staring at her, she blushes but smiles and maintains eye contact. She’s getting better. I tilt her head up and place a kiss on the lips I am becoming addicted to. Soft, velvety but also areas that were cracked and dry from working outdoors. I knew I would be a lost cause as soon as I tasted her. I could never have enough. The dazed look in her eyes tells me she feels the same as well as the beautiful color painting her skin.

I pull her closer. “Do you feel any better?”

“A little. Thank you for being here.” She whispers as she lays her head on my chest.

“I’ll always be here for you. Always.” I kiss the top of her head and begin running my fingers through her hair. We stay in a comfortable silence before Spencer seems to decide to break it.

“Today’s the anniversary.” I look down at her curiously but don’t comment. “My parents’ death.” Automatically, my arms tighten around her.

Shit. She’s gone through the fucking wringer.

"It’s how I got that scar. Robbery gone wrong.” She takes a deep, shuddering sigh. I was wondering about that. My eyes were drawn there immediately; her beautiful skin marked like that. It makes her all the more beautiful, but it angers me that she went through it. My mind instantly begins throwing scenarios out to me. The worst possible ones I can imagine even though she is in my arms, breathing and living. I can feel her tremble as my arms tighten around her.

“It’s ok. You don’t have to continue if you don’t want to.” I try to ease her but really, what can I say in this situation? I can feel her shake her head.

“It helps to talk about it. Even if it hurts.... I was 18. My parents were out to a late movie, so I was alone just watching television.” She paused, seeming to gather courage to speak. “He broke in and realized I was there. I tried to run but he caught me, threw me to the ground and... straddled me.” She took another deep breath, swallowing hard. It was almost like she was trying to keep herself from being sick. My own body was rigid, and my blood was boiling in anger.

“He um... tried to undress me.” I inhaled sharply. I glanced down at her and saw her already gazing at me, tears filling her eyes. I sat up father, bringing her with me.

No. Don’t tell me she had to go through that.

I squeeze my eyes shut for a second.

“Did he......” my words caught in my throat. I don’t want to know. But I must know.

“I fought him off as best I could.”

That’s my girl.

“He got sick of me squirming and kicking so he got up and dragged me to the kitchen where he got a knife. He cut my pants off me, slicing down my leg in the process.” I’m trembling with anger. Spencer’s small hand comes up to gently rub my chest, knowing how hard I was trying to keep it together.

“He didn’t get far. My parents came home. As soon as he heard them open the door, laughing, He got off me and crouched behind the counter. I still remember my mom’s look of horror when she saw me. Half-naked and bleeding in the floor. She came rushing to me, but he jumped out and..... a-and stabbed her.” Spencer broke down sobbing after reliving her mother’s death. I held on to her for dear life. Not sure what else I could do. I rubbed her back as sobs shook her body.

“M-my dad started f-fighting him. I was able to call 9-1-1 before I passed out. I never saw my dad die. From w-what the police told me; he was able to fatally wound the robber but not before getting wounded himself. He died on the way to the h-hospital.”

Well, if he hadn’t killed the bastard, I certainly would have hunted him down and done it. I wish I could have known her parents or had the opportunity of thanking her dad. Because of him, I have a chance at happiness with the beautiful goddess in my arms.

I held her quivering form while I shifted us so were laying on our sides facing each other.

I cupped her cheeks, rubbing her tears away with the pad of my thumb. “You are so brave. To go through all that, plus everything with Jay...I could never be as strong as you. You are simply amazing.”

She shook her head. I know what she’s going to say before she even utters a word. She opens her mouth to speak but I quickly cut her off with a kiss. I keep her lips pressed against mine for a good minute, knowing that when I kiss her, she’s usually at a loss for words. Pulling back, I gaze into her eyes.

“You are strong. I know you think its weakness to be depressed and in bed. But it shows strength that you’re even managing to keep going. You push yourself and lock your emotions away, so they were bound to come out eventually. I’m sorry you had to go through all this. I wish I could’ve met you earlier and been here to help.” I nuzzle into her neck as I hug her tightly.

“You’re here now.” I chuckle.

“I am. And you are never getting rid of me. You’re mine now.” She pulls back with a look of surprise.

“Yours?”

“Mmhm. And I’m never letting you go.” I kiss the tip of her nose, causing her to wrinkle it at me.

And I mean it. I’m never fucking letting her go.

I lean in, capturing her addicting lips with mine, softly tasting her as I silence any argument she might have.

She’s mine.

A/N

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