Page 6 of Brightness

It’s like every atom in my body fires all at once.

It’s like the air changes, becoming thinner, harder to draw in, but somehow, it tastes and smells sweeter too.

How does any of that make sense?

I swear Void makes me crazy. He’s so fucking hot and cold with me. Even now, he just treated me like absolute crap, yet here I am, drawn in by his mere presence.

As I stare into his electric-blue eyes, I’m captivated by his gaze. That stare covers my body in a warm blanket of comfort, yet he somehow sends the coldest of chills through me.

Hot versus cold.

Cozy and safe one minute, left out in a blizzard to fend for myself the next.

Right now, he’s attempting to make me feel safe. Like even though he knows he fucked up and did the wrong thing, he’s trying to right that wrong.

Void could be bad for me.

But aren’t the bad things in life the things we enjoy the most?

“I wasn’t actively trying to hurt you…” he stops as though pondering his next words, “… or maybe I was, I don’t know. Seeing you with Dash, seeing what I thought I saw, it shocked me. I didn’t think you were—”

“That kind of girl?”

“Not necessarily. I didn’t know you and Dash were there yet.”

My lips turn up in the corners as I grip his hand tighter. “We’re not, Void. Me and Dash… we’re not like that. Romantic, I mean.”

Void’s eyes light up, perhaps in hope, as he lets out a long exhale. “You’re not?”

“No. I haven’t done anything… with anyone. Ever.”

Void swallows hard. “Shit… I fucked up.”

This thing, whatever it is between us, has been strained for a while. I know I need to spend some time with Void, and since I arrived, I’ve wanted more than anything to experience what it’s like to be on the back of Void’s bike. Eva’s been able to ride with Nycto, but I’ve yet to even venture out of the safety of the clubhouse.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I debate whether he will be okay with what I’m about to ask, but I’m going to ask it anyway. “I understand that I was confined to the clubhouse when Andrés was alive for our safety… because he didn’t know Eva and I were here, and finding us was a big deal. Technically, the men who were sent to buy me and Eva are still out there, and that’s an issue for us and the club. But Void, Andrés is gone, and Eva’s been outside these walls. No one else knows we’re here. To make it up to me, I just… take me for a ride on your bike?”

“You… wanna go for a ride?” His eyes widen like he had no idea that was coming.

“Is that so surprising?”

He shrugs. “You’ve never mentioned it before.”

“I just want to get out and see a little of Tampa. I’ve been here for months, but I’ve been restricted to the inside of the clubhouse. Don’t get me wrong, I love this place, but I want to feel the Florida sun on my skin. I want to see palm trees. Hell, I want to go to Trixie’s new café!”

Void’s lips turn up in the most glorious of ways. He’s usually frowning, like his face is in a permanent scowl. But when his face lights up, damn, he’s fucking gorgeous.

“Well, today is your lucky day.”

“It is?” I can’t help but smile.

Void chuckles. Grabbing my hand, he pulls me along. “I just so happen to know Trixie’s making Key lime pie today, and man, does she make a good one.”

Excitement bubbles inside me while my feet struggle to keep up with his rapid pace. “You’re taking me to the café?”

“Yep, and we’re taking the scenic route.”

I can’t help but giggle as we race through the clubhouse toward the exit, passing Nycto on the way.

---