Morgan closed her eyes, as the cool wind chilled her, and she hugged him even tighter. He was an instant remedy for her affliction. She secretly wondered if she had caused all this just to get this type of attention from Messiah. Her tears were silent, unforced. They just kept coming, sliding down her face, wetting the back of his leather jacket, causing her skin to stick to it slightly. Everything flew by them in a blur. The speed and the water in her eyes made this feel like a bad dream. She just wanted to start the day over and erase the stupid decisions she had made that had led to such a disastrous night. Morgan placed her hands under his jacket, so that her skin was touching his. Her hands laid flat on his chest. The beat of his heart was so intense that she breathed to its rhythm and it soothed her. She hugged him tighter. God, why couldn’t this man be hers? Why couldn’t he see past his relationship with Ethic, past her age, past her hearing, past this night? He would never admit it, but she was sure her differences scared him. She wanted to be mad at him for that, but she had dealt with it her entire life. People judging her, thinking she was stupid, or lacking because she couldn’t hear. It was frustrating; especially so with Messiah, because she had never wanted something so badly. He steered the bike with one hand, as he placed a hand over hers, reassuringly. He intertwined his fingers with hers, making a joint fist over his heart and Morgan sucked in a baited breath. Such a simple gesture made her turn to mush inside. He cares. He can’t do stuff like that and not care, she thought. Just as quickly as he did it, he took his hand away, refocusing on the powerful machine they rode. Messiah was selfish with his love in that way, only giving her crumbs that made her want to taste it all. He was holding back, and trying to bait him into jealousy had ended dangerously for her. On the back of his bike she felt safe, she felt owned, as if she was an object to possess. As if she was his most prized, and wished it could stay that way.

When they pulled into the driveway of a large home, she frowned. This wasn’t the house he had taken her to before. It was beautiful. A large, family home, with a manicured lawn, made completely of brick.

He cut the engine and they climbed off, removing their helmets. She motioned toward the house, with an inquisitive look.

“This is my crib. Nobody knows about this place. I don’t bring anybody here. Ever. That’s the only way I get to sleep with both eyes closed,” he said.

Morgan smiled, slightly, because he trusted her.