Page 27 of Cloud Storm

Lancelot Hills is kissing me.

World, stop spinning. The Suit is kissing this girl.

His lips are soft and insistent. They force me to open mine to receive his tongue, which seeks mine to duel. Without thinking twice I throw my arms around his neck and press myself against him.

He pulls his mouth from mine and I groan in frustration, however, I forget everything when he looks at me with eyes the color of jade. They’re so intense I can feel myself melting into the pier we’re standing on.

With his forehead resting on mine and his hands tangled in the mauve strands of my hair, I realize it’s the perfect moment to use the tingling lips he caused and return the favor.

He gently bites my lower lip and feeling naughty, I return the bite. I could do this all day long.

Exhaling slowly, reality washing over me, I remember that we’re still in a public place. We do need to restrain ourselves. However, his eyes darken, seized by desire.

“Ariel…” he murmurs roughly, my name on his lips like a blessing. “I have to take you home.”

And there it is.

It’s like he knew what my body was asking for.

I nod slowly, my face still in his hands and it feels like everything is right in the world.

“There is something you should know…” he murmurs and in response I nod again, followed by another briefer kiss.

“Ariel…”

A pause, a feeling.

A knowing ache.

“Forgive me, Ariel, but…”

“Lancelot, what’s up?” I whisper. “It can’t be so serious.”

“Ariel, I’m sorry, the truth is that there is another woman…”

And just like that, the spell is broken.

The people and all the noises around us return so fast I find myself dizzy.

Nothing this easy can be good. Nothing.

Why did I give him the power to tear the walls down that uphold me?

Fuck you, Suit.

From: Arthur

To: California Girl

Date: September 27, 2019 22:40

Subject: Confession

I need to see you, you don’t understand how much. I want to touch you, this consumes me day after day and for reasons I can’t reveal yet.

In a strange way I feel like you have me. You’ve made me yours in the same way that you have become mine.

Completely.

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