Page 11 of Rough Love

They were a crumbled mess on Sage’s bed. Neither had gotten their breathing back to normal as they came down from their high. The room smelled of sex and sweat as they laid crumbled on top of each other, as if they were a deck of cards someone had stacked and then proceeded to blow over. Mia laid her head on Sage’s chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her. They were happily wrapped up in each other and in their own little world again. It was magical and better than anything that had happened recently. Once their breathing went back to normal, they listened to the rain that had started beating against the window. It was calming and relaxing, especially as the cool air made its way through the windows and into the room, cooling them down.

They both stayed silent as they listened to the rain. Mia closed her eyes as she lay peacefully on Sage’s chest. It was all she had wanted and so much more. He had shown her just how much he cared for her. She had felt it in every kiss and every touch. It wasn't just about the sex, it had been so much more than that. It had been about them being close and connecting on an intimate level again. It had been a while since they had been so close to each other. They had shared a bed together but it was moments like that which made their bond that much stronger.

She wouldn't have minded staying there with him for the rest of the day. She could get up if she needed but the feeling of having him next to her was all she needed to calm the storm that had started to rage in her heart and mind. Nothing mattered to her anymore, nothing that had happened recently weighed down on her. As long as she had Sage and they were together, they could get through anything and even though she had known that at the beginning, she had been reassured by him when he had pushed Laura away from him. It was clear to Mia that he had no intention of being with the woman and it was a relief to her. She had tried not to think that he would leave her but she supposed that any woman in her position would've thought the same.

"This is good, you know, this is how I want it to be," Sage said while he traced his fingertips across Mia’s skin, creating patterns and sneakily writing words of love and appreciation onto her skin. Mia sighed at his touch, melting into him.

"I want it to be this way too, just you and me," she replied and her voice was filled with love, Sage could hear it.

"I think we should get out of here and I know the perfect place to go. Clearly staying at home just brings people here," he said. Mia nodded her head in agreement and slowly lifted herself off of Sage so she could shower. Sage got up soon after she walked out of his room so he too could shower. The last thing they needed was to shower together. That would only go one way and just the thought of it turned Sage on once more. He was wildly attracted to Mia and he knew that the attraction he felt toward her would never go away. Just the way she moved turned him on.

After having a steamy shower and once changed into a fresh green polo shirt and a faded pair of blue jeans, Sage made his way to Mia, just wanting to be near her again. He was pleasantly surprised when he saw her. She had changed into a beautiful baby blue dress which only reached mid-thigh, making his mouth water at the sight of her.

"You are too beautiful for your own good," he teased as he glanced over her body, taking in all the curves that were emphasized by the dress. She blushed at the compliment, covering her face slightly with her hands so he couldn't see. It was a tight-fitting dress, hugging at her hips so perfectly. He almost wanted to take her back to his room but stopped himself. He wanted to take her out and away from everything if only for a few hours. As much as the situation was hard for him, he knew it was also hard for Mia and he wanted her to know that she still came first for him and no one could change that.

He had noticed over the last few days that the light in her eyes had started to fade, as if she had started to lose faith in her life and in him. It made him sad that she would feel that way and he wanted more than ever just to make her smile and feel better. It was important to him that she smiled, that her eyes sparkled because then he knew he was doing something right. He wanted to give Mia the life she had always wanted, the life she had always dreamed of. He didn't want to cause her sadness. He knew it wasn't exactly his fault but he had to change how the rest of the situation played out. He couldn't risk doing anything that could potentially make Mia leave him. He needed her just as much as she needed him. He had to be better for her, stronger and kinder. He wanted to treat her better going forward.

He took her hand and led her out to the car he had recently bought. He knew Mia had been looking into it too so he decided to surprise her. He wanted to do something for her that would make her happy and this had been the first step he took in that direction.

"What is this?" she asked as she saw the car. He could see the shock and surprise written all over her face. He was chuffed with himself that he had gotten away with it without her suspecting a thing. It made the surprise that much better.

"It's our car. It’s been a while since either of us has driven anything besides a bike so I thought it would be as a good time as ever to finally get a car, with the help of Fiona, of course," he said. His face beamed with pride as he noticed the shocked look on her face grow even bigger. She had not suspected a thing with all the drama going on, especially since the car had arrived while she was still getting ready. He had picked up that she was tired of riding the bike and that getting a cab all the time was also starting to annoy her. It had also started to annoy him too which is why he decided to get the car. It was something they both needed but he also knew that getting something she had wanted just showed her how much attention he paid to her and her needs.

"That's so thoughtful of you, plus you beat me to it. I had also started planning on getting a car," she said with a small laugh. He had already guessed that when he noticed more car ads popping up on his computer, which meant they were being searched for regularly.

"I know you were so I thought I would beat you to it," he said with a wink. He opened the passenger door for her and gestured for her to climb in. "Your chariot awaits, me lady," he joked. She laughed and climbed in. Sage was happy to see her smile and laugh again. It brought him joy to be the reason she laughed. It would always be music to his ears.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked once Sage closed the door after getting into the driver's seat.

"There is a diner I know of that could be the perfect place for us to be on a day with weather like this," he said with a grin. The rain had picked up slightly but it had stuck to a calm pace. There wasn't any wind but just a gentle breeze.

He pulled the car out of the driveway, making sure to watch the gate close completely before driving away from the house. He was excited to be with Mia, somewhere where no one could find them and they wouldn't be bothered by any drunks. He wanted her all to himself, he wanted to remind her that nothing had changed for him and no one could change how he felt for her. He wanted her to know by not only his actions but also by his words. Of course, he had gotten a tattoo for her but he also wanted to tell her that he was hers and that wouldn't change anytime soon, possibly for as long as they lived. He had always been scared of expressing himself but Mia had brought that out of him and he wanted her to know that his life had changed completely because of her. She was the best thing that had happened to him and he was ready to tell her that.

They drove in silence to the diner. Sage had one hand wrapped around Mia’s hand on her lap as they drove. He felt at peace. He knew the diner would be perfect. There was a screened porch that had a porch swing that they could sit on and watch the rain. It would be exactly what they needed. They arrived at the diner moments later and Sage could see the smile on Mia’s face as she looked at it. He could tell he had made the right choice.

"Don't move," he said as he parked the car and got out of the driver's seat. Mia hadn’t as he walked around the car and proceeded to open her door. He was being a true gentleman. She smiled as he reached a hand toward her and helped her out of the car.

“Oh, you are so amazing," she said as she stood on the pavement outside the diner.

He took her hand and led the way, taking her straight to the porch so they could claim the swing. A waiter came over to them and handed them both a menu.

"We don't need these," he said and he handed them both back to the waiter. "Could we please have two of your homemade doughnuts and two cafes au laits," he said with a grin. The waiter nodded and walked away, leaving them alone.

"You're lucky I like you so much or else I would kill you for ordering for me," Mia said jokingly with a wink. Sage laughed in return.

"You're not that tough when it comes to me, maybe with other people but not with me," he teased as he lifted her hand to his mouth and gently placed a kiss on her palm. She shoved him gently.

"Don't be so cocky," she said.

Sage laughed once more and pulled her into him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders so she could rest her head on him. It was what they needed to relax. Neither of them had realized just how much tension had built up between them while they had been at the house together.

They had been walking on eggshells, neither of them knowing what to say or do around the other. They needed ever so badly to get out of there, they needed to break from it all, even if it was only for a moment. It was peaceful being there. They sat in each other's company blissfully content. They didn't need to talk the whole time. There was no reason for it as just being around each other was enough for them.

They gently pushed the swing, rocking it to and fro as they sat quietly and watched the rain pour down around them. Soon their waiter placed their order on a small table in front of them. They sipped on their drinks and slowly nibbled away at their doughnuts.

"These are so good," Mia said halfway through a mouthful of her doughnut. Sage was glad she liked it. He knew she would but he was grateful she had assured him that he had made a good call.

"God, you're the only one for me, Mia," he said after watching her for a while. He felt overwhelmed by love and the word sat on the tip of his tongue. Mia looked at him, her eyes wide with shock. He knew she hadn't expected him to say that. "I just want you to know that there is no one else for me, only you," he said. He lifted up his hand that had the tattoo on it. He wanted to remind Mia that is wasn't just a tattoo, it was a symbol of just how much she meant to him.

"I don't regret getting this tattoo, not a single bit. It's not just for you but every time you look at it, I want you to remember that you are the one for me," he said.

Mia touched the tattoo and took in the details of it again. It was healing and it looked perfect. It still shocked her how genuine he was. He meant every word he said and she knew it. She leaned in and kissed him. It was a kiss that was filled with passion but nothing too much considering they were out in public. She looked into his eyes, letting him know that she loved him and he could see it.

"No matter what happens, no matter what gets thrown at us, I am here and I am here to stay. I'll always be here for you," she said. They both knew that she meant it because she had proven time and time again that she would not give up on him and she would not give up on their relationship.

Sage’s heart grew bigger in his chest. He knew he could never be away from her and he would never allow anyone to take her from him. He would protect her and look after her for as long as he lived and that would be the greatest thing he could do with his life. She was another gift that had been given to him, a gift to help him see the true meaning behind his life and he could never take that for granted. After a few hours of sitting at the diner, they decided to head home. They couldn't avoid it forever but also because they had talked to each other and opened up a bit more, they both felt good about going home.