Page 188 of Red Zone
She pauses at her bedroom door, her hand resting on the frame, and for a second, she doesn’t look back.
But then she does—just over her shoulder, her hair falling loose, her eyes soft but heavy with something she doesn’t have to say.
I don’t move right away.
Not until she nods once, barely more than a breath.
And then I’m on my feet.
I follow her, my pulse pounding, my fingers flexing as I take the few steps to the doorway.
She’s already inside, standing at the foot of the bed now, her arms hugging herself like she’s not sure if this is the right choice.
But when she glances up at me again, all I see is her.
The girl who’s been in my head since the first night she let me close enough to touch her.
The girl who’s been mine in ways she’ll never admit out loud.
And I swear to myself that if this is actually the last time…I’ll make damn sure she never forgets it.
I step inside, closing the door behind me.
And even though neither of us says another word…
We both already know what comes next.
Her back is to me when the door clicks shut behind me.
For a second, I just stand there, watching her in the dim light of her bedroom.
She’s still hugging herself, like she’s bracing for impact.
And something deep in my chest cracks at the sight of her—so strong, so careful, and yet…standing there like she’s waiting to fall apart.
I cross the room slowly, closing the distance between us.
When I reach her, I slide my hands over her arms, gently peeling them away from where they’re crossed over her chest. She doesn’t resist.
I turn her to face me, and her eyes flick up, glassy, her lips parting slightly like she wants to say something but can’t.
So, I shake my head, just barely, and whisper, “Don’t. Not right now.”
Her throat bobs as she swallows, and I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers.
For a long beat, we just breathe.
Then I kiss her.
It starts soft, almost hesitant, like even now we’re still afraid to break each other.
But it doesn’t stay that way.
Her fingers find the hem of my hoodie, pushing it up and over my head. I tug at her blouse, letting it fall to the floor, memorizing every inch of skin I uncover like it’s the last thing I’ll ever see.
And maybe it is.
When I lay her back on the bed, the way she looks up at me almost undoes me completely. I can’t help but stare at just how perfect she is as I shed the rest of my clothes, leaving them to pile on the ground.
