Page 109 of The First Time
Chapter Eighteen
Kit
Outside the cab, the city whizzes by.
Inside, Piper rests her head on my shoulder. She wipes her tears on my sleeve.
I try to keep my hands to myself, but my right hand finds hers.
We're holding hands.
It's like high school.
Except this isn't a high school crush.
My nerves have nothing to do with her being a pretty girl.
They have nothing to do with how adorable her innocence is.
I care about her. Deeply.
I hate that she's hurting. That I have anything to do with her hurting.
She squeezes my hand. Her breath is steady now. It's not strained. She's comfortable in my arms.
Comfortable with this silence.
It's different.
Good different.
I hold her for the entire twenty minute drive.
Piper stays calm as we get out of the cab and step into my building.
I slide my arm around her waist to lead her into the elevator.
She wraps her arms around me and buries her head in my chest. "Promise me something."
"Yeah?" I run my hand through her hair.
She lets out a soft purr as she tilts her head back. Her voice is low, needy. "You can't run off again."
I drag my fingers through her long hair. "I promise."
The elevator's ding announces our arrival.
My hands are trained enough, they're steady. I lead her to the apartment then lock the door behind us.
The high ceilings feel low tonight.
The big, open room feels small.
There isn't enough space in here for how badly I want her.
For how deeply I care about her.
I break our touch to move into the kitchen. "You must be hungry."
