Page 13 of Dusk & Desire

“No one wants to think about your balls, doofus,” Noa voices my thoughts out loud, and I can’t help but giggle despite my exhaustion.

Something tickles my palm and I look down to see Noa’s fingers grazing against the skin. It’s almost like she’s asking for permission to hold my hand. An ember lights in my chest and it feels a lot like happiness. How can I possibly feel happiness when the world around us is going down the drain? I don’t know, but I go with it. I splay my hand until our palms overlap and our fingers intertwine. Feeling almost as shy as when she had that same hand between my legs, I look up at her from underneath my lashes. One corner of her lips is up and her flashing silver eyes are on my face. When she notices me peeking at her, she squeezes my hand once. For a moment, I worry whether my palm feels as swampy as the greenery around us, but the doubts are quickly forgotten when she continues displaying that smug smirk. Is she actually proud to be holding my hand? A lump forms in my throat at the thought. I don’t think anyone’s ever been proud of me, except for my parents and grandparents.

Axel looks back and rolls his eyes when he sees us holding hands. “You two are going to get eaten by an alligator together.”

“I’m more worried about the cottonmouths,” Noa mutters, andI freeze, tugging on her arm as inertia keeps her going forward.

“S–snakes?” I ask with a shaky voice.

Axel clicks his tongue. “Now you’ve done it, you broke Winnie.”

I look around in a panic. Every dense patch of foliage looks like the ideal hiding place for a nope-rope. Noa grabs my other hand and steps close, giving me no choice but to look at her.

“We’re sticking to cleared trails, sweetheart. And we’ll find somewhere elevated to sleep,” she says, the endearment momentarily distracting me from worrying about reptilians.

“Right, there’s a campground nearby,” Axel says with a forcefully cheerful voice.

Noa gives him the side-eye. “How do you know that?”

Axel scratches the back of his head, looking away with pursed lips. “Well, I used to bring Jenny here for some privacy.”

Noa sighs dramatically. “I knew you were banging that floozy,” she accuses her brother.

“Hey, throw no stones, Sis, you’re the one who pined over a straight girl for almost three years.” With that, he starts walking again.

I look at Noa and expect to see some chagrin. Instead, she winks at me and says, “Guilty.” I feel my face ignite with… satisfaction?

As we start following Axel, I war with asking her a question that’s been bugging me for a while. In the end, my curiosity wins. “You liked me for that long?”

Noa hums and gives my hand a squeeze. “Yup.”

“And, umm…”

“And, what?” she encourages.

“And… have you been with anyone else during this time?” I finally ask.

Surprisingly, her cheeks start glowing in the late evening light. “A few times. When I’d see you around with a boy.”

Why do I suddenly feel guilty? Until a couple of days ago, I didn’t even know I liked her. Still, I start defending myself. “Oh, well, that must not have happened often. I’ve been busy and the guys here… well, they never know what they want, always want to keep their options open.”

Noa smirks again and flicks her tongue out to lick her lower lip. The glinting barbell draws my gaze. “Well, their loss is my win.” Her voice turns low and husky. “I knowexactlywhat I want, beautiful.”

My heart skips a beat, the pulse instead going right to my clit. How many times did I fantasize about a boy telling me I’m it for them? That they’re sure about me and want no one else? That I felt safe in a relationship…

“And, just so you know.” Noa’s words jolt me out of my daze. She slows to a stop and, still connected with her by our hands, I follow. When my eyes catch hers, she gives me a languid smile. “I was thinking about you every single time.”

My jaw unhinges at her implication. “I…” I don’t know how to feel about that. Sorry for the girls because her head was with me and not them? A bit worried about the stalker vibes Noa’s been giving off here? If I’m honest with myself, I’m still just feeling… smug. “Thanks,” I whisper, making her smile turn beaming.

“Come oooon, ladies!” Axel calls from ahead. “We’re almost at the camp, gaze into each other’s eyes lovingly there.”

With a grin, Noa pulls me after her brother once again. True to Axel’s word, we reach the campground in under an hour, just as the evening light starts dimming.

“What’s that sound?” Noa asks quietly.

I strain my ears and catch murmuring sounds in several different cadences. I gasp. “Sounds like people!” Leaving Noa behind, I pick up the pace and head deeper into the campground.

“Linda, wait!” Axel hisses when I overtake him.

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