Healing on her terms

Chapter One

"Kiss me one more time," Ryan says, his voice barely a whisper.

I snuggle next to him on his bed, giggling. And without hesitation, I place another tender kiss on his lips. "You want more?" I tease, letting my tongue tickle the corner of his lips.

He gave a throaty groan pulling me into his comforting embrace. "You do know that I can never get tired of your kisses," he replies, his fingers tracing invisible lines on my bare arm.

It feels so good to be with the one you love. The feeling sometimes distracts me from all the responsibilities I have to deal with. Speaking of responsibilities, I need to pay my brother's tuition fee tomorrow. I sighed softly and rested my head on Ryan's chest.

"When are we going to get married?" Ryan's question suddenly pops up.

He's at it again. All he talks about is marriage. I've told him countless times to wait until I have enough money before we get married, but I don't think he understands.

"My love, I thought I told you when I have enough money, we'll get married?"

"When?" his voice sounded impatient. "It's been three years now since I proposed to you, and we've been dating for five years already. How much do you need before you get married to me?"

I slowly raised my head from his chest, and I sat up with the duvet covering my half-naked body. He followed my position.

My hands sweep my hair to the back, finding the right words to say. "Look, Ryan, I love you, and you know that. But we can't just get married when I have a lot of responsibilities to cater for."

"Responsibilities? Really? Is that why you don't want us to get married to me?" Ryan asks, his voice laced with...anger or sadness, I don't know which.

"C'mon love, what do you want? For me to be a liability when we get married? I can never do that. I want to be financially stable enough to assist you and the kids we'll be having. I just don't want to be a burden, please," I said, softly, reaching for his hand.

He sighs heavily and shakes his head. "I just want you to be mine. I want you here with me every day. I love you too much, Sofi."

I squeeze his hand gently and place a kiss on the back of his hand. "I promise we will get married. Please, just give me a little bit of time."

"What if I take care of your responsibilities, would that change your mind?" Ryan offers.

A smile tugged on my lips, and warmth spread through me. "Ain, 't you the best sweetheart? I'd really love that, but no, I can't accept you taking charge of my responsibilities. Like I said, I don't want to be a burden to you. My brother will soon be out of high school, and by then, the workload will be l, ess. It's ju, st a little bit of time."

He stares at me for a moment, his eyes a hint of sadness and disappointment. "Fine. I guess there's nothing I'll say to change your mind," he mumbles.

I scoot over and hug him. He wraps his arms around me and kisses my head. "Thank you, Ryan, for understanding," I said, tightening my arms around him.

After a moment of comforting silence, I pulled away and glanced around for my clothes.

"You're leglanced," he asks.

I gave a nod, picking up my clothes from the floor. "Yes. I need to be home for dinner with my family."

"I see," he muttered, lying back down on the bed.

I snickered. "I guess you don't want me to leave. Don't worry, we'll have dinner together tomorrow."

"I don't want," he pouted with a frown that got me laughing.

"If you keep your lips that way I'll come kiss you," I joke, and instantly his eyes lit up.

"What stops you?" he wiggles his brows.

I chuckle and walk over to him. I lean in and kiss him passionately. "I just recharged you. Your battery is full until tomorrow," I whisper, smiling sheepishly.

He laughed and pulled me over. Before I knew it, he was hoverinlaughedop of me and I was beneath him. "Well...what do you have in mind, Mr. Ryan Jones?"

"So many things, Sofia Cornell," his lips curl upwards into a smirk.

A goofy grin spreads across my face. "You'll have to wait until tomorrow to carry it out."

Ryan groans and slowly withdraws. "You better get ready then," he said, standing up.

"withdraw what you have in store for me," I reply, leaving the bed with a smug on my face.

Ryan catches me unawares and hugs me from behind as I shuffle to the tablcatchesick up my purse. "I'm going to miss you," he whispers.

My heart fluttered, and I stood still. I wish to stay with him but not to flutter; already told my mom I'll be home. My shoulders slump to my sides weakly. "I'm going to miss you too."

We both stooslumpl for a moment enjoying each other embrace.

"Let me drop you off," Ryan finally said, releasing me from his embrace.

I nod in response. He took my hand and led me out of his house to his car.

When we arrived in front of my apartment, he turned off the car and glanced at me. "Thanks for coming over," Ryan said, takinturnedhand.

"Thanks for foglancedping me off," I reply, smiling warmly at him.

Ryan leans in and kisses my cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

My cheeks flushed crimson as I stared intekisses at him. I gulped and gave a small nod. "See you tomorrow. Drive safelstaredI alighted from the car and watched as he pulled out of the driveway. With a sharp sigh, I approached the door and pushed it open. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a sweet aroma that got my stomach rumbling.

As I stepped into the kitchen, my mom suddenly appeared in front of me, causing me to almost keel over. "Jeez! Mom why..." I trailed off when a pack was held to my face.

I was confused at first, but then I looked into the half-open pack and my mouth flew open. I was confused and found my pack of condoms

"Do you mind explaining'',g to me what this issue asked, her voice chilled, and her gaze peered at me?