Take Me Home Aimee: 6

Take Me Home Aimee:  6

Heath swallowed when she heard Aimee mutter his name.  "What happened to him?"
“Him?” Aimee said in a low voice, using both hands to grip his shirt now.  “His name is…was Wes.  Wes Carver.  I had owners before him but he was my first owner when I was eighteen.  He was seventeen at the time when his family adopted me and brought me into their home.
I was supposed to be a gift to him before he graduated from high school since he was moving across the country to attend college.  I…I had been living with a child before that so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I was so scared of him but he…” she trailed off, smiling at the memory.  “He was so patient with me.  He was my protector, my friend, and eventually…” she winced, knowing this was the part he would never believe.
Eventually he told me he was in love with me,” she whispered.  “Not as a doll.  Not as a pet and not even as just some equal.  He loved me like a man loves a woman.  I couldn’t believe it.  I didn’t know it could be possible but we soon discovered we weren’t the only ones trying to make this kind of relationship work.”  She swallowed deeply.
“We were together for several years…I went to college with him and he actually stayed with me.  Can you believe that?  A human and a giant…were dating.”  She shook her head.  “It probably turns your stomach but that’s how it was.  There wasn’t anything that we didn’t do together.  Everything was going so well…until…well…” she sucked in a sob.
Heath remained silent, too nervous to press her.  She would tell this story at her own pace and he would never rush her.
After a few moments of tense silence, Aimee continued.  “One…of his friends took me away from him as a joke.  He was in a complete panic.  He didn’t think it was funny and he was looking for me like crazy.  But his friends were laughing about the whole thing.”
Aimee’s frown grew deeper as she remembered the memory.
The laughing.  How Wes’s friends thought the whole thing was a joke.
“He was driving on a rainy night, Heath.  He was still so young…he only had his license for a few months.  He was in a complete panic when one of his friends apparently texted him to say that I was okay and that he could come home.  But it was storming that night and he wasn’t looking at the road.”  She didn’t go into the gory details.  “He…a truck hit him.  Killed instantly.  I was only twenty at the time.  My whole world had come and gone in two years.  His parents felt no reason to keep me…I brought back too many memories, apparently.”
His grip loosened on her as she spoke, considering pulling her in front of him. But when her tiny hands fisted his shirt, he fell still, effectively stunned into silence by her tragic past.
"What a nightmare," he finally uttered. "I'm... I’m so sorry... I know what it's like to lose someone who's like family to you."
Gently, gradually, Heath pried her from his front and held her before him. His bright blue eyes were ablaze with genuine sorrow, compassion, wistfulness. He sat there in reverent silent for several moments, allowing her story to sink in. Something else was nagging at his mind. Something she had continued to believe about him.
"I need to clarify something, though…" he straightened up a bit, steeling his nerves. “I honestly don't know where you're getting the idea that humans turn me off. I already told you how I feel about it. You've never been a doll or anything like that. It's just...hard wired into me to see you as a person." He looked at her hand resting along his palm. "I mean… Look at us. The only difference is size."
Aimee couldn’t help but snort at this response.  Hard wired into him?  Well things about giants were hard wired into her too, and other than Wes, there hadn’t been a single one that she trusted.  They couldn’t be trusted and that was a fact.  Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she looked away from him and acted as though everything in the room was the most fascinating thing she had ever seen.
“You can’t expect me to change how I feel just because you say so,” she muttered at last.  “You say that you don’t see humans as pets and that you’re all for equality and what have you.  But do you honestly think that you see me as an equal?  Could you imagine taking me to a dinner with your friends?  Can you imagine me sitting next to that Britney girl by her elbow while I eat dinner?”  She gave a laugh that sounded more like a choke.
He made a face at the notion. "I wouldn't be taking that whore out in the first place—" he interjected.
She was trying to put her walls up now, but he had his foot in the door, and he wasn't going to let that go. "Look. I’m not your babysitter, I’m not your…master or owner or whatever... Honestly? I'd rather just have dinner the two of us. You know, as friends or… something."
“You really don’t see yourself that way?  Not a master…not an owner?  Do you really believe that?” she asked, still looking away from him.
"No, I really don't.  And I do believe that I would never look at you as a pet or something as degrading as that."
He could tell that she was testing him.  Checking for any signs of regret as he repeated them back to her.
In Aimee’s mind he thought that surely he couldn’t actually mean what he was saying.  He didn’t consider himself her better?  Her master?  Once against she rolled her eyes.
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think if you say these things?” she muttered.
Heath held her out a foot from his face, trying to lessen the distance she had to look up at him. The words came out in a verbal heap. He wasn't being delicate about his wording anymore; he was just letting it out.
"I can't change what other people think about you. But how I see you isn't going to change – and I need you to understand that. Please."
To hear Heath stutter and spill out the words the way that he did, she had to think for a second that perhaps he was genuine.  Even in the short time she had known him, Heath had a very calculated way of speaking.  Each word was methodically and carefully chosen.  But now, his words were rushed, spilling from his soft pink lips and he didn’t seem to be able to censor himself.  There was a certain power in that, but she was still overcome with bringing up Wes again, that she couldn’t help but feel a little defensive.
“I know you can’t change the way people think about you…” she said lowly, trying to suck away her tears.  She was tired of this…she was going to learn to accept that this was the life she was being handed and that the best way to deal with things was to make the best of it.
Heath patiently waited, listened, watched. It seemed that he was recovering the brunt of a lifetime of pent-up anger, frustration, and heartbreak... But while it was annoying and disheartening to be constantly doubted, he knew she had every right to do so after what she'd been through.
“I don’t expect you to do that, but I can tell that you’re the type of man who worries what people think of him—”
"Oh, stop acting like you know me—”
“And I also understand my place in the world, and I think you do as well…but…” she trailed off, trying to think of what to do or say next that could level the tension in the air.
“What are they gonna do to me, huh?" Write a tabloid about his weird beliefs? Big deal. "I don't know if you've noticed, but rules don't really apply to me."
“I guess… I guess that they really couldn’t do anything,” she said carefully, still smiling a bit.  “You’re…you’re freaking rich.  And did you…did you really just say that you actually you wanted to have dinner with me?  Just the two of us?  Are you sure your mean that?”
"Well, we've already had breakfast, so I don’t think dinner is too much of a stretch." He glanced down at her, smirking as he stood and started back towards the bedroom at a leisurely stride.
He was done trying to explain his philosophy with her right now. Trying to redeem himself for sins that he hadn’t committed. She would just have to find out for herself.
Finally, she seemed to process his words.
A small smile crept up on Aimee’s features…unable to hold it in.  She supposed it was true.  She had heard that Heath was a little strange, but she had assumed that he was just going to be odd – not that he wouldn’t care about what people thought about his stance was on humans.  Heath was right…in his position of power, what did he really have to care about people writing about him?  The man was a millionaire and he didn’t answer to anyone.  The thought gave her a sense of comfort which couldn’t be described.
As she glanced up at him, she realized that he had another point.  They had had breakfast together and it wasn’t even a big deal.  The whole experience had actually been quite pleasant.  Maybe she was putting too much pressure on him.  Aimee noticed that Heath seemed a lot more at ease since had had said some things which were obviously weighing heavily on his mind.
He wasn’t her owner.
She wasn’t his pet or doll.
And as hard as it was to accept, maybe he did really see her as an equal.
The thought brought butterflies to her stomach as Heath walked back to his bedroom.  Maybe this could actually work.
“So…what do you want to do now, Heath?” she asked, smiling up at him.  A genuine smile crossed her features for the first time since the night before when she had dared to touch his face.
He glanced down at her amicable tone, and then looked down again to make sure he wasn’t imagining that content glow on her face. Her smile took him off-guard.
But pleasantly so.
It meant he had done something right.
When Heath looked down at her, it was a puzzling sight.  Perhaps she was smiling a bit too much?  Aimee desperately hoped that he wasn’t taking it the wrong way, but the way he reacted; it was like another weight had been lifted from his broad shoulders.  The man looked positively content.  It was nice to see.  There was something about this man that reminded her so much of Wes, but she still wanted to be cautious with her feelings.
"Well, we've got your bed set up... I already had the toiletries and plumbing in the bathroom taken care of…" He stood by the window, pursing his lips and furrowing his brow in thought.
Smiling still, but much more softly, she leaned over in Heath’s hand as he went to the window.  After a few moments of surprisingly comfortable silence, she looked up to see that he was deep in thought.  So many things must have been going through his mind at all times.  She couldn’t imagine the responsibilities he must have.  She wondered why on top of everything else he had brought a human into his life.  He said that he had specifically picked her for her eyes, but he had stammered over that explanation so much that she couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it.
She tilted her head to the side, watching as the large beautiful man continued to think.  He really was amazing to look at.  The stubble around his square jaw and the muscles which throbbed under his thick neck.  She though she caught a hole where a piercing might have been in his ear cartilage once-upon-a-time but she assumed that those days were long over.  Her eyes softened.  He was incredible.
“Are you okay?” she asked him softly, looking up at him as a frown appeared.
As he continued to stand there, so lost in thought that he couldn’t hear her, she punched on his palm.  “Heath?  Heath!” she called out, waiting for him to look down at her.  When their eyes met she couldn’t help but feel a little bashful.
"Sorry. Wasn't trying to tune you out…"
“I…uh…was thinking.  It must be a pain to hold me in your hand all the time.  Maybe you could just put me on your shoulder while you’re thinking?”
Heath lifted her swiftly to his shoulder without complaint. He fought to hold still as tiny hands and feet pressed into his skin; she crawled from his hand to his shoulder.  "I …don't mind holding you for the record," he added quietly.
Aimee smiled.  Sitting on a giant’s shoulder was actually something she was used to.  During her two years with Wes, she had found an amazing balance to stay on his shoulder without stumbling.  Still though…she felt self-conscious about touching Heath.
He was so close now!  Yes, she definitely enjoyed being up higher and not always forced to look him the eye…but he was seriously…everywhere now.  His scent…his stubble, and the miniscule movements that were probably imperceptible to him.  She saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed nervously and crossed the room.
Once she was seated, he went to put the box away. But after only two steps, he stopped short.
"Okay, can you grab onto my collar or something? I feel like you're gonna fall."
“I’m really fine…” she said to him after he let her know how careful he was.  “I’ve actually done this before.”  She frowned, relieved that he couldn’t see it.
"Humor me," he insisted, glancing out of the corner of his eyes to make sure she actually was holding into some part of him for stability.
“If you’re actually nervous…there,” she said, reaching out to grab the collar of his polo and taking a seat on his shoulder.  Smiling carefully, she reached for his collar as requested though she did find it funny how nervous he seemed to get when she wasn’t using him for support.
“That better for you, Heath?” she said, giggling a bit.  She wasn’t sure why, but she felt much more comfortable like this.  More on his level.  If she closed her eyes and spoke to him, she could actually pretend that they were eye-to-eye or maybe she was standing next to him, and pressing her cheek against his shoulder and chest—
Stop.
She shook her head quickly.
That was never going to happen.
Despite the closeness, the long and short of it was that she was on this man’s shoulder.  That was all.  She tried to play it off.  “Heh…would you really be upset if I fell?” she chuckled.  “At least then you wouldn’t have some human crushin on—” she cut herself short, growing bright red.  “I mean crushing your shoulder!” she quickly corrected, trying to calm down.
She could have died…just died at her humiliation for the verbal slip!  Did she really just admit that she was crushing on him?  Was she trying to get herself thrown out from his home?  As she stumbled to find her words, she looked for any indication that he was upset with her, but it seemed as though he was frozen in place to keep his reaction a secret.  She tried to get a good look at his face, but all she could see was his profile, his long lashes blinking over his cold…yet somehow soft blue eyes.
“Say…have you checked the weather?  If it’s nice out…you…and I could go outside for a bit.  I’ve always been a fan of the outdoors.”  She resisted the urge to smack her forehead.  Really?  The weather?  So lame.  But…she wasn’t lying about going outside…she liked it there.  She hoped that Heath wasn’t one of those richies who only liked to sit around and counting their money.
He paused for a split second when she made her verbal slip. He tried not to make it too obvious; he knew for certain any physical indication on his part would be amplified to Aimee. He couldn't help but smile quietly at the floor as she fumbled to cover up.
"Trust me," he said, closing the box back in the closet for now. He turned off the bedroom light. "I'd much rather have a human crushing my shoulder."
To his response, she tilted her head.
Much rather a human crushing his shoulder?  What did that mean?
Did he mean he didn’t mind?
Or did…she swallowed…did he actually know what she was saying and was saying he rather her crush his shoulder than be crushing on him?  She didn’t have the courage to ask.  Deep down, she was pretty sure what he must have meant.  Surely the idea of her having a crush on him made him sick.
Equality, yes.
Relationship?  That would be a heck to the no.
She frowned as this realization but didn’t dwell too much on it because as Heath moved again, she steadied herself to see where he was going.
Heath had expected her to be flushed or maybe giggle or…Something that would indicate she heard him correctly. Had he been too cryptic? How else was he supposed to say that-yes, he had definitely been checking her out, too?
With a sky glance toward Aimee, even though he couldn't quite see her in her current perch, Heath opened the French doors leading to a nicely landscaped backyard, with a pool dominating most if the space. It seemed to go on forever due to its proximity to the lake not too far in the distance. A breeze welcomed them as he roomy he first few steps around, feeling like he was poking at the place for the first time.
At least for her.
"I could go for a walk. I'm getting hay fever as it is…" he mused carefully.
“You have a pool,” she whispered as her eyes fell on the glistening water below.  She smiled; relieved that she had chosen a bathing suit from the massive pile of clothing Heath had presented her.  She remembered Britney’s body for a moment before looking down at her own.  Nothing special there.  “I mean…that’s really cool.”
She let her eyes drift to the part of the yard which wasn’t covered in an in ground pool bur rather professionally kept lawn.
“We could just sit in the grass…” she whispered, hoping that she wasn’t too close to his neck.  The last thing he probably wanted was her warm breath brushing against his neck.  She squirmed a bit so she wasn’t so close to his skin.  “We could just relax, you know?  Enjoy the sun?”
As she said this, she stole a glance overhead, noting a few clouds rolling in.  She hoped it wouldn’t be much.  Being with Heath during a storm was something she was certainly not prepared for.
He lit up like the sun itself for the brief moment her breathless tone of wonder pricked his ear.
"It'll be the perfect temperature in a couple weeks," he added. Tilting his head up toward at the sky, he was slightly dubious of the practicality of sitting in the grass. But until she got more comfortable with him, he planned to treat her more like a guest.
"Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts," he agreed.
Heath lowered himself in a spot a good distance from the house. "You still good where you are? It's kinda weird... Talking to you and not seeing you." He turned his head a bit towards Aimee, a humorous smile creasing his face.
“Oh…yeah, I guess you’re right…” she said, sounding a little put off but pulled slightly away from his neck.  Before she could stop herself from stumbling though, she slipped away from his shoulder and fell down towards his lap and stomach, her face bright red as she landed on his thigh with a gentle OOF, and looked up at him.