A/N: Thank you guys for sticking with this story, I'm still surprised so many people like it! This is probably the longest chapter I've written in a long time. Also I've noticed in past chapters I kept switching from past to present tense but this story is PAST tense so that's how I'm definitely going to write it from this chapter on. Lastly please review if you can they really give me the muse to write another chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Thank you for reading!

-Lain :)

14. Her mixed emotions and his protection

"Um…How's your stomach doing?" I pushed myself to ask as I watched Nathaniel slip on one of his boots. He sat at the edge of the bed with a messy bedhead but wearing a clean white shirt and black pants. He had woken up before me. A cold chill seemed to sweep through the room from the empty fire place. I pushed the heavy cover off my chest and pulled up from the bed. Some days had passed since I attempted to run away and like he promised he started treating me somewhat better.

"I'll live," he smirked and pulled his pants over the boots. "Would you like to see?" He lifted his shirt revealing a white cloth wrapped around his pale torso. I slowly shook my head. "It'll take more than that too kill me."

"I'm sorry…I…" My voice disappeared.

"Jordan we honestly do not need to go over that again," he said nonchalantly as he slipped on the other boot. "I accepted your apology the first time you told me."

I touched my chest and released a sigh of relief, "good."

"You're fortunate enough to have someone as great and as forgiving as me," he chuckled.

I reached for a pillow and hurled it in his direction. He dodged but it grazed his face.

"Why are you so rough?" He huffed then grinned, "you must be gentler with an injured man."

"And you must learn to stop being such a dork," I said while grasping another pillow. He laughed then braced for another hit. Before throwing I stopped myself.

What's wrong with me?

Why am I acting so friendly with him?

He laughed, "what the hell is a dork?"

"It's nothing," I muttered lowly.

He inched toward me. I noticed his shirt still hadn't been buttoned all the way so I caught a glimpse of his chest, as usual toned and defined. I quickly looked away feeling my body warming.

"Tell me what it means," he asked softly, "it's from your world, isn't it."

"Would you stop with that," I grumbled.

"Fine...I'll stop pestering you, for now," he sighed. "Jordan later I'm going to town for a few things and you're going to escort me." He stood from the bed and ran his fingers through his golden hair to smooth out the kinks. My eyes became fixated on his body. I remember Nancy saying how good looking he is. He is sort of nice looking I guess. He could probably be mistaken for a model in my time.

"Jordan this is the most you've looked at me since we've met," he suddenly spoke.

"Huh!" my eyes widened. "No I-I…" I didn't even realize it…

Oh my God!

Was I checking him out?

He frowned, "you're going. Everyone in town knows how I am so you don't have to worry about being gossiped about."

"W-why do I have to be your escort, why don't you drag somebody else," I scoffed and crossed my arms. What's happening to me? Why am I starting to think like this about him? He chuckled lowly.

"This may sound silly but I'm worried you'll run again."

"I can't run away," I mumbled, "there's nobody who'd help me."

"I'm not an idiot, as soon as you leave this room Axel will find his way to you," he sneered. "Just the thought of his slimy fingers near you is enough to boil my blood."

I rolled my eyes, "Axel is a good guy."

"He's a little child with nothing to do except whine about his misfortunes," he said and tucked his shirt into his pants. "He's an immature little brat who just needs a good spanking."

"Aren't you guys the same age," I frowned.

"Absolutely not, he's 17." He revealed. I gasped. I thought he was around Nathaniel's age, why am I so shocked?

"He doesn't know how to control himself." He walked to his brown dresser and picked up a gold pocket watch. It had been sitting at the top, he examined it then placed it in his pocket.

"...That trait sounds familiar," I muttered.

"I'm a man he's a weak little boy, vast difference." He grinned.

"Give him a break, there's so much on his shoulders and he is young but I think he's handling things pretty well," I argued. "And you're only 19 so stop acting like you're some old guy with a million years of experience!"

"Are you in love with him?" He blurted with a blank expression. My body stiffened. Why does that question always pop up?

"I like him," I looked away trying not to catch his reaction.

"Good," I heard. I quickly turn back.

"What?" I say.

"You don't love him, obviously, I can tell," he smiled, "I'm relieved." How can he tell, how?

"I'm not in love with anybody…why does everything have to be about love maybe I don't need to love him, maybe I just need him to talk to me, or kiss me, or touch me."

"Don't be silly," he interjected, "it would feel better with love, I suppose. Though it can feel quite good without it, would you like me to show you?"

"Ew, gross!" I wrapped my hand around my throat and stuck my tongue out, "don't make me vomit!"

"Don't make such a face," he exclaimed. "A beautiful girl shouldn't make such faces."

"What?" I blushed, "s-shut up, I'll do what I want!" He called me beautiful…

"I often forget that you're very young, you don't know much. You're inexperienced. I'm sure you realize what happens between a man and women." I could feel my face flush with heat. "Lust is often mistaken for love."

"And," I murmured.

"I believe Axel is in lust with you not love."

"He hasn't tried to touch me once," I quickly replied, "unlike you." Wait, that's a lie, Axel has sort of.

"I'm sorry, for the umpteenth time." He frowned. "My mind was going against me those days…"

"I was so scared …" I brought up, "It's going to take more than you apologizing for me to forgive you."

"Why?" He growled, "must you be so difficult with every goddamn thing! I forgave you for nearly killing me didn't I, this should be an eye for an eye. You stabbed me all I did was kiss you! I'll forget what you did and you forget what I did!"

"Whatever." I look away. But he's right, he has forgiven me, so easily. How does he know I won't do it again, how can he trust me so easily?

I almost killed him.

"Axel could never care for you the way I can," his voice softened. "He won't trust the real you like I have."

"The real me?" I questioned.

"The side that you won't reveal to me," his placed his hands on the bed and leaned until his nose almost brushed mine. "I promise if you told Axel your secret he won't accept it." His cunning green eyes remain locked on my face. He deeply exhaled pushing his warm breath against my lips as if he were doing it on purpose. I clenched my fists feeling an unwanted sensation filling my body.

"T-there's...There's n-nothing to trust or learn," I fought to say, "Why can't you get that?" What the hell is wrong with me...

"I'm not an idiot," he smirked. "How long will it take for you to realize that?"

"Yes you are," I mumbled.

"I am not!" He retorted.

"You are," I smiled meanly.

"Fine, I'm the biggest idiot that has ever graced these lands, are you satisfied!" He yelled jumping away from the bed and placing his hand on the bronze doorknob. I nodded happily.

"I totally am." His eyebrows rose as he gave me a bewildered look than he released a loud laugh. It sounded unlike anything I heard from him; carefree even child-like maybe. Is this just a visage or is he really changing?

"Hurry up and get ready," he softly said before disappearing through the door. The sound of his boots hitting the floor echoed into the room. I placed my hand onto my chest feeling quick beats.

What's wrong with me? Why am I feeling like this?

"Jordan, I got a question for ya," Nancy suddenly spoke after nearly an hour of silence. Nathaniel had allowed me back to the slave quarters only to have Nancy fix my hair for the trip into town. I sat on a wooden stool in her cabin as she raked a wide comb through my hair.

"Yeah, what is it?" I smiled.

"Ain't you 'fraid of bearin the young massa's chile?" She bluntly asked.

"What!" I whipped my head around and knocked the comb from her fingers. "Ew, I wouldn't let him touch me! I'm not pregnant, that's impossible!"

"Gurl, calm down," she laughed while picking up the comb.

"I know that we sleep in the same room and in the same bed but he doesn't touch me, well he touches me, but lately he hasn't, and we've never had sex. We never will, I'm a virgin, ok!" I quickly blurted. "I can't even imagine-"

"Jordan," she erupted in loud laughter, "I ask 'cause one of da other slave girls is with child, sorry ta scare ya." She continued to run the comb through my hair. Getting pregnant has never crossed my mind, in this time period there isn't birth control so what if Nathaniel does force himself on me. My worst nightmare would be to get pregnant. A surge of chilling goosebumps formed on my skin.

"If ya did yo baby goin come out lookin jus like the young massa…and Billy," she continued to speak. "Real nice lookin."

"Nancy…you think Billy is cute?" I asked hoping to steer away from the terrifying baby talk.

"He well...he jus so…when I'm round him my heart be goin crazy and I can barely talk." She revealed.

"Sounds like you do like him," I say.

"Oh lord, I think I do," she squeaked loudly. "I wouldn't mind havin his chile."

"Nancy, ew!" I squealed. Why does it seem like everyone in this time period is so…sexual. "He seems ok but he's always super mean to me." She ran the comb through the back of my head.

"He jealous of you and da young massa," She pointed out. I turned and gave her a bewildered look.

"Why would he be jealous, Nathaniel is his brother." She gently hits my shoulder.

"Not like dat I mean he jealous Nathaniel don't pay him no mind," she explained. "He don't treat him like a brother, he treat the horses betta den he treat Billy."

"Oh...that makes a lot of sense, " I say remembering the first time I had met Billy and how cold Nathaniel acted towards him. "But at the same time Nathaniel treats everybody like that."

"He treat you like yous some of diamond or somethin," she smirked. I frowned.

"He does not."

She hummed, "you jus 'friad to admit it."

"Can we please talk about something other than boys, please!" I begged.

"Ok ok let me hurry...and get you all pretty fo da massa," she giggled.

"Nancy!" I groaned then smiled.

"I see Nancy fixed you up well," Nathaniel observed me as I came around the house from the slave quarters. The ground and trees were dusted in a sheet of snow and every so often the wind would pick up. A grey tint covered the sky which didn't have much signs of animal life.

"All she did was comb my hair," I murmured.

Nathaniel had given me a somewhat new dress; it was dark blue with sleeves and very long so it brushed the ground. It also felt heavy due to the thick material.

His green eyes looked me up and down, "maybe that's all that needs to be done." I hugged myself fighting the urge to react too his complement. He was standing next to a brown horse with a wooden carriage strapped to it's back. He pressed his fingers against the top of it's head and gently caressed it. He wore an elaborate red coat which appeared to have gold buttons going down the front.

"I want to cut it, it's really annoying," I smartly replied.

He exhaled but continued to caress the horse, "can we have one conversation without a disagreement."

I frowned, "whatever."

"Not that I particularly mind, sometimes it can be amusing arguing with you." He gave me a half smile.

"Liar," I rolled my eyes and marched to the carriage.

"What's my reasoning to lie?" He released the horse and followed behind me. "If I grew tired of it you wouldn't be with me." I reached for the handle and pulled myself onto the hard seat.

"Be with you?" I snapped, "you're not my boyfriend!" He climbed in next too me and gave me a confused look.

"There you go again with your strange words." I quickly covered my mouth.

"No, I made that up!"

"Liar," he mimicked. I held back the urge to laugh. He reached forward and grabbed some black ropes connected to the horse, the carriage begun to move. After we left the front lawn of the plantation and reached the path the intensify of the wind picked up.

"Are you cold?" He suddenly asked. I slowly glanced in his direction, he kept his eyes on the road.

I'm making myself get closer to him, what's wrong with me.

"Yeah," I answer. He pulled on the ropes and the carriage slowed then stopped. He unbuttoned the coat, took if off, and set it on my lap.

"You can wear it until we get back home," he tells me. I gazed at the heavy coat feeling my emotions rising before slowly slipping it around my shoulders.

"...Thanks," I almost whispered.

"See I can be a gentleman," he beamed, "when I want to be."

"But everybody in town, they'll obviously know this is your coat," I clued. "Should I take it off when we get there?"

He shook his head, "no, they're opinions do not bother me."

"But won't that effect your dad, since he's the mayor?" I chimed.

He shrugged, "my father is a respected man, everyone knows he and I are nothing a like."

"Maybe if you weren't so mean to everybody they would respect you too," I suggested.

He groaned, "I can't control myself."

"You can be scary when you're mad," I say.

"That was when we first met," he affirmed. "I had never come into contact with a slave...a person like you. I didn't know how to react you were very different." That's because I'm not from this time period.

"Thanks for trying to change for me," I uttered and pulled the coat further against my body. "I know that's probably hard for you to do."

He squeezed the ropes, "I'm determined not to lose you again."

"But why, just because you think I'm interesting," I pointed out.

"It's because I'm in love with you," he frowned. "At first it was interest you fell out of the sky for pete's sake." I stared at the side of his pale face letting his words soak in.

"What if I just disappeared one day?" I suddenly spoke.

He gave me a nervous look then giggled, "I'd be very depressed."

"If you fell in love with somebody else...like Jenny you wouldn't have to be depressed you-"

"I don't want to speak about this anymore," he interrupted.

"...Fine, whatever," I looked away and focused on my side of the carriage. An awkward silence followed.

The path lead inbetween two long stretches of far apart houses with a few more taller structures with multiple windows. We kept passing carriages, horse back riders, and others walking on feet.

"Do you want to go into the general store with me?" Nathaniel suddenly broke the silence. There wasn't a large number of people but the few that were out immediately gave me strange looks. I shook my head.

"No."

"Ignore them," he ordered as the carriage slowed. We stopped in front of a small buliding made out of wooden logs and surrounded by snow dusted trees. Two older men with dusty clothes stood by the entrance and appeared to be deep in conversation. Nathaniel turned to me.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in," he asked again.

"Nathaniel, I don't want to go in," I spoke lowly feeling more eyes looking in our direction.

"Being difficult as always," he sighed. "I'll be out soon, I'll trust you enough not to leave me."

I rolled my eyes, "how would I run away with all of these people gawking at me." His eyebrows raised then he climbed off the carriage. The people surrounding us watched him as he made his way inside the store. I let out a deep sigh, it's getting so weird being with him, I hate feeling like this.

"Mr. Wright we didn't know you'd be arriving so soon!" One of the men who had been standing by the door hollered. In the distance a large black horse carrying a man galloped next to us.

"I do apologize but do you have my items ready." The man hoped off the side of the horse. He was tall maybe an inch or two taller than Nathaniel and he wore extremely refined clothes. A black long waistcoat, white undershirt which seemed to have an interesting design sewn into it, and slick black pants. His clothes reminded me of something a museum would put on display in my time period. His face also matched the refinery of his clothes: with a strong facial structure, tanned skin, extremely blue eyes, and platinum blonde hair which laid into a neat style on top of his head. He looked to be in his late twenties but I had a feeling he was probably older. His eyes shot in my direction and I quickly looked away pretending to observe a disturbance in the sky. I could feel him staring for a few moments longer before he disappeared inside the store along with the other two men. Is it just me or is there a lot of good looking guys in the eighteen century, even though he was kind of old.

After fifteen minutes past I was greatful Nathaniel had given me his coat, it felt like the temperature had dropped. I also got use to the stares from the passersby who recognized Nathaniel's carriage. A few moments later Nathaniel stormed out of the store holding a brown sack.

"Ugh, that bastard!" He hissed.

"Nathaniel, what's wrong?" I asked lowly probably too low for him to hear. The man with the fancy clothing walked out behind him with an amused expression along with the men from earlier.

"Boy are you forgetting I'm right behind you," the fancy man crossed his arms. "Have respect."

"You learn your place boy," One of the men who had a long scar near his right eye screeched. Nathaniel turned and pointed a finger in the fancy man's direction.

"Mr. Wright you don't deserve respect from me," Nathaniel threw the sack near my feet.

"Ahhh, and is this your little slave pet I've been hearing so much about." Mr. Wright snickered as he suddenly made eye contact with me. My body stiffened with a nervousness I hadn't felt since arriving. There was something about this man. I looked down at the sack feeling my muscles tensing.

"Leave her out of this!" Nathaniel grumbled, "she's none of your concern!" I could hear Mr. Wright's boots hitting the rocks as he inched closer.

"Mrs. Maddox told me how you lock her away in your room," Mr. Wright giggled. "Are you afraid someone will spoil her before you can. I can understand, she is quite the pretty one isn't she."

"You shut your damn mouth!" Nathaniel yelled in such a loud tone a crowd of people began to form. I deeply gulped.

"Girl, your name?" Mr. Wright called me.

"Don't answer!" Nathaniel hollered before I could speak.

"We know you're a disobiedent one," Mr. Wright spoke in a calm tone, "don't let Mr. Maddox give you orders now, your name." .

"Jordan," I answered and finally looked in Mr. Wright's direction. He touched his chin a mischievous smile formed on his thin lips.

"Jordan," he repeats. "You know I've heard a lot about you, I've been told that you're a wild little girl."

"Wild," I muttered.

"Jordan don't listen to this bastard!" Nathaniel stomped in front of Mr. Wright until they were barely a few inches apart.

"Boy, you get away from Mr. Wright!" The scarred man screamed.

"Just because you're the mayor's son don't think we won't beat you down!" The other joined in.

"I am quite curious to know how you've managed to bewitch Mr. Maddox," Mr. Wright ignored Nathaniel and focused on me. "What can a little girl like you possibly do?"

"I said shut your damn mouth!" Nathaniel pushed Mr. Wright in the chest knocking him sideways.

"You uncivilized coon!" The scarred man's fist suddenly collided into Nathaniel's stomach.

"Nathaniel!" I shrieked in fear. Nathaniel hugged his stomach with a pained expression. His wound will get worse if he fights!

Mr. Wright chuckled and brushed off his shoulder, "don't make me take matters into my own hands boy."

"Nathaniel, stop it, can we just go!" I blurted. Mr. Wright gave me a surprised look then smirked.

"What a clear voice you have...I think I'm starting to understand," he stepped away from Nathaniel. "Your little obsession with this girl. Lars, leave them be, we have more important matters to tend too." He flashed a smile in my direction, "Jordan I promise I'll see you again." I watched in horror as they walked back into the store.

What is that supposed to mean?

Nathaniel collasped on the bed after we entered the room, I shut the door and leaned against it. My mind seemed to have a million thoughts going at once, I glanced at the black fireplace.

"Why would you do that," I muttered. "You already have a stab wound, stop being stupid."

He kicked off his boots and exhaled, "Mr. Wright knows how to get me angry." The room seemed to have a dull hue because of the minimal sunlight. I peered at his frame, his blonde hair appeared messier than earlier.

"I really hope you didn't get in that man's face just because he was talking about me," I exclaimed. He closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his head.

"It angered me."

"Who is Mr. Wright anyways?" I asked picturing that neatly dressed man.

"He's apart of the council," he answered still with his eyes closed. "A devious fellow, I believe he wants to be the next mayor."

"Are you okay," I abruptly questioned, "your wound didn't open back up, did it?"

"I don't know, it doesn't feel like it," he spoke extremely softly.

"Nathaniel!" I leaned over the bed, grabbed his shoulders, and shook him, "don't die, stay awake!" He opened his eyes and giggled.

"I'm not dying, I doubt that one hit did me much harm." He placed his fingers around my wrists and squeezed. "I'm pleased you're worried about me."

"Well, duh, if you died I would blame myself because I'm the one that stabbed you!" I say.

He nodded, "right, of course." When he got punched I do think I got a little scared. Could this mean I was worried? He closed his eyes again trying to fall asleep this time. I gazed at his face something I got use to doing; his hair brushed his forehead and his eyelashes flickered every so often. For some reason I became fixated on his lips: pink, full, and slightly perched apart. I could still remember the hot pressure they had put on me the last time he kissed me. Maybe if I kiss him I can figure out why I'm feeling like this, if I'm disgusted then I know I'm just going crazy. But what I like it?

But how can I figure out my feelings by kissing him?

It's crazy!

What am I thinking?

I hate him, don't I?

I tightly shut my eyes and slowly leaned down until I could feel his breath against my face then I hesitated.

What am I doing, this is crazy!

My body hopped at the feeling of his fingers running through the back of my head. I opened my eyes to see his green pupils looking back at me.

"If you're going to kiss me then kiss me," he whispers.

"Nathaniel," I could feel my hands trembling but I close my eyes again and lean down.

To be continued...