Maneater

by Aleya Michelle

  I creep back into bed. Dan is still asleep. He wakes as I cuddle into him.

  “Good morning,” he whispers, and I smile. I hold the red envelope so he can see I’ve opened it.

  “You couldn’t wait one more day?” he questions, smirking at me. I shake my head.

  “Yes, I’ve had a beautiful weekend,” I tell him. “You make me happy, Daniel James Westbrook,” I announce as I lean in for a soft, passionate kiss. “I’ve never had these feelings before. The whole strings and relationship thing is totally new to me, so can you just be patient with me? I can’t guarantee I’m not going to make mistakes along the way,” I confess, feeling like a weight has lifted. “I'm going to fuck up, Dan, but I'm only human. I'm learning. I know that I'll be selfish and stubborn, but I'll also be loving and caring. I'm tough, but inside, I'm gooey. You might see me cry, see me at my worst in the mornings, but well, that's just me. Have I turned you off wanting to be with me yet?” I question, joking.

  “That is impossible.”

  Chapter 26

  Dan

  How deep is your love?

  Being with Jemma is like being on the scariest roller coaster in the world; it’s up, it’s down, it’s the biggest rush of adrenaline, and then it’s like being in a tornado.

  I wouldn’t change any of it. I’ve decided that’s it’s time I said the L-word. I’m in love with her, and I can’t deny it any longer. I’m freaking out about her reaction, but she has come a long way from the woman who didn’t do relationships.

  Tonight, is the night …

  I have Chinese food and a bottle of wine, and I’m heading to her place for dinner and a movie.

  “Hi, there,” she says, opening the door and kissing me softly.

  “Hi, yourself,” I reply, removing my jacket. The rain is bucketing down outside; it’s perfect weather to be inside.

  “I have dinner and wine,” I announce, and she smiles.

  “You are a good man, Mr Westbrook,” she replies.

  “You are a good woman,” I tell her as she busies herself getting plates and sorting out the different meals I chose for us.

  We enjoy the food and small talk, and when I pour our second glass of wine, I declare a toast. “A toast to us, Jemma. My princess, my vixen, and the woman I love.”

  I risk looking in her direction. She looks a little pale as she gulps down her glass of wine. Oh no … that is not a good sign.

  “God, Jemma, please don’t freak out. I need you to know how much I love you! I love everything about you! Neither of us are perfect. Together we have issues, we have a past, but we have each other.”

  She takes another large drink. I can see her taking deep breaths, but I need to finish this.

  “Honestly, Jemma, you scare the hell outta me! That's how I know you are the one. You have that spark in your eye. Well, sure, you’re moody, high maintenance, independent, and stubborn as hell, but I love all those things because they make you, you. These pieces define you. You make my jagged puzzle complete.”

  Jemma

  I can’t breathe. Did he say he loved me? No, no, no.

  He spoiled it. Why have you spoiled it?

  What does he know about love, anyway?

  He thinks he loves me.

  What could he possibly love about me?

  “Dan, why are you wrecking it? Everything has been so good, you didn’t need to bring love into it. I did the strings and a relationship, for God’s sake, but love is intense, it’s forever, it’s concrete,” I almost shout at him, feeling frustrated.

  “I wanted to be honest with you. I want you to know how deep my feelings run. Our relationship can be stronger.”

  “It didn’t need any icing on top. We were simple, still having fun. Now you are making it serious, and it’s a whole new level of commitment,” I state, and I feel I might hyperventilate. It’s hot in my apartment. I need to get outside, get air. “I need some air,” I say frantically, without thinking about the rain. I storm out, and it’s pouring torrentially, but the sound is welcome. Nothing but the rain in my ears, the refreshing drops hitting my face.

  I couldn’t care less about my hair or make-up. The tears stream down my face, and I’m not a crier, not really, not ever.

  My tears and the streaming drops of rain are meshed together as I cry more; the rain increases, and I’m matching the drops to tears. It’s monsoonal.

  But oh, God, a much-needed release. Who would have thought crying could be almost as beneficial as an orgasm?

  I never realised.

  Now, I know.

  I can’t admit it to Dan, but I’m in love with him too. For the first time in my life, I’m head over heels in love, and it both feels amazing and painful. This is what I’ve been avoiding all these years.

  Avoiding the heartache and possibility of failure.

  I keep running, and the tears keep falling. I am grateful for the rain, as my blotchy face will, I’m sure, resemble that of a panda, and maybe a fight club victim.

  I reach the sand of the beach, rip my shoes off, and continue running.

  Running for the release, adrenaline, and the distraction. I sprint faster as my heartbeat increases like it might explode out of my chest. This is why people run?

  I’m puffing; my chest is rising and falling heavily, and I’m sucking in each breath. My knees start to feel like jelly, and I realise I’m going to have to stop or risk falling and doing some serious damage.

  I stop and collapse onto the sand, physically and mentally spent and drained. I am now covered in sand, the rain aiding it to stick grossly to my body.

  Fuck, I hate wet sand.

  This is enough to make me burst into laughter.

  If Roxy could see me now, she would piss herself laughing at the mess her best friend has become. Fucking men, emotions, and growing up.

  It would seem I am finally becoming an adult—with all the baggage, responsibilities, and morals that come with it.

  ***

  I met Dan when I thought I didn’t need a man in my life.

  I still don’t need a man in my life, but maybe, just maybe, I’m actually ready for one. Instead of feeling weighed down or controlled, what I feel is that I can be myself around him, and he loves every part of me. He is supportive and caring, and I know enough about the world to realise every day is a gift, and we never know what the hell is around the corner.

  One thing that stands out for me is love. I have fallen in love, and I feel amazing. Sure, it’s scary and unknown, but why the hell am I going to throw that away just because I’m scared.

  Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.

  I don’t want to regret throwing this chance away; horror movies are scary, car crashes are scary, and death is scary. Taking a chance is daunting, but it’s sure as hell worth the risk. If I can have even a few more days, weeks, or months feeling euphoric, then I will take it. I hate to say it, but I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, then I would be twenty-five, never been in love, in a serious relationship, or really lived. I’ve decided not to be that person.

  I’m Jemma Donovan, and I am in love. I will finally change my Facebook status to in a relationship and show the world, well, at least my friends, that I’m giving it a shot. What is the worst that can happen? Heartbreak?

  I know it hurts like a bitch. But the heart is an organ, and it’s designed to heal. Shit, people get cancer, suffer through months of chemo and radiation, and I’ve been scared of a little heartbreak.

  Time to grow up and shape up. I guess maturity might finally be kicking in.

  Chapter 27

  Dan

  What's that saying?

  People fall in love in mysterious ways ...

  Well, isn't that the fucking truth.

  After months of pursuing Jemma and almost giving up, my perseverance finally paid off. I like to think she always knew I was the one.

  She fought her feelings.

  I think back to the night when I met Jemma, the amazing love of my life, the
beautiful blonde with balls of steel, feisty as hell. I can't believe how my luck has changed.

  Never in a million years did I think I would be in her league.

  As it turned out, the two of us have always been in a league of our own. A league together, unique and kindred spirits who totally and utterly fit each other's moulds to perfection.

  I love you, Jemma, now and forever. As long as you are in my life, my woman, I'm the happiest man on the planet.

  Sharing you is not something I ever want. I want all of you—your mind, body, and soul.

  Jemma

  “Okay, it’s time for brutal honesty. Yes, Dan, I've totally fallen in love with you. You are the most unexpected person, at the most unexpected time.”

  “I never knew I missed having you in my life until now I can't imagine living without you.”

  “Giving someone a chance was never something I was willing to do until you came along.”

  “You wanted me when I was at my worst, and when I gave up on finding someone special, you proved me wrong,” I declare with all my heart. I couldn’t be more vulnerable if I tried.

  “I feel safe in your arms. I want to be the one to make your bad days better, the one to make you smile and bring out the sunshine in the rain. I want to have you by my side every morning and make you breakfast in bed,” I confess.

  “Do you want to know how I knew I loved you?” I question him, and he nods.

  “You were the last thing on my mind before sleep, and the first thing I thought of when I woke. My heart told me,” I tell him, and he kisses me deeply. The connection is real and raw and nothing I have ever had before in my entire life.

  This is bliss.

  Epilogue

  Six months later, we enjoy a beautiful dinner at the Waterfront Seafood Restaurant, and I’m showing off a huge, sparkling diamond.

  Dan proposed, and I said yes.

  The charismatic and romantic man who he is put the ring in my champagne, just like in the movies. I didn’t run or freak out. I cried, laughed, and then accepted as he got down on one knee and asked the million-dollar question. Six months ago, I freaked out when he told me he loved me, but now I’m one hundred percent devoted to this amazing man, wearing his ring is something I will do with pride.

  “My gorgeous and sensational, Jemma, I love you so much. I want you in my life forever. Will you please do me the honour of becoming my wife?” he asks me, wiping the sweat from his brow. Poor guy, I guess I can be a little high maintenance and unpredictable. Maybe he thinks I will say no.

  I have been preparing myself for this next step. Why shouldn’t I have? It’s been an amazing six months, and I couldn’t imagine my life with anyone else, so it’s logical.

  I tell Roxy as I am over the moon.

  We decided on a twelve-month engagement, not too long and not too short.

  Roxy is now back with Kade, and their love is awe-inspiring. I see the way they look at each other, the sparks when they touch; it’s a fairy tale come true.

  I know they won’t be getting engaged too far behind us; they lost each other once, so now being back in each other’s arms, they won’t want to let go in a hurry.

  I no longer chew men up and spit them out. I have settled for one man; he is the perfect package, a little jagged like me, a touch wacky, but at the end of the day, we are both head over heels happy in each other’s arms.

  Love comes in all shapes and forms. It’s magical, rewarding, and challenging. I couldn’t have picked a better guy to challenge me, pleasure me, and engulf me with his amazing love than he does. He is a dream come true, and I can honestly say I look forward to being in his arms forever.

  The End