Page 53 of Crave

It’s just he and I, together.

“I really want to kiss you,” he whispers.

All the pain in my body disappears, replaced by a surge of adrenaline.

“Please, Alexei?”

His features soften as he strokes my cheek gently, bringing me towards him.

The second his lips touch mine, sparks fire through me. I let him take charge, he tastes like cherry sweets and sin.

Like everything I've always dreamed of.

He’s gentle, yet full of hunger as his tongue slips in my mouth. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer.

I want to get lost in him, I want him to steal my last breath. I feel like I’m dying anyway, I’d gladly let him have it.

He pulls away, and I can’t hide the smile on my face, even if it really hurts. Alexei has always had a way of making everything better.

He leans forward, brushing his lips against my cheek and I close my eyes, sinking into the feeling. Of pure peace. I bet he was frantically searching for me.

“Can we just stay here for a few minutes?” he whispers. I can hear the pain in his voice.

“Y-yes.” I manage to croak out.

He rests his head on top of mine, his heart hammering in his chest, beating in my ears.

“I need another.” He pulls back and searches my eyes, both hands on my cheeks.

“One more kiss won’t ruin everything, right?” I whisper.

It could destroy our friendship. But I’m taking this moment. I’ll take any piece he’s willing to give me, until he finally realizes what I’ve known this whole time. We were always destined to be more than friends.

“Nothing could ever tear us apart.” He confirms.

A knot forms in my stomach. I really hope he’s right.

CHAPTER 22

ALEXEI

Song, Rescue, Lauren Daigle

As my lipspress against hers, my entire being is set on fire. This was worth the wait. My first kiss had to be with my pchelka.

I never imagined it would consume me this much. I don’t know if I ever want to stop.

And she won’t have a clue what this was to me. That she has been the only woman I have had eyes for.

I saw her first kiss, with Vlad. She was seventeen and I followed him home. I wanted to slit his throat. I didn’t. Only because he made her smile. But then when he made her cry two weeks later, I made him pay and toasted marshmallows as I burned his corpse.

I pick her up into my arms and she rests her head in the crook of my neck.

She’s as light as a mouse.

I need to get her fed and checked by a doctor. I can feel her hip bones protruding out of her skin on my hand.

Fuck. I only have my bike.

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