Page 93 of Crimson Promises
Behind me, sand muffled Ben’s landing, but grains of sand kicked out and gave him away. I shielded my eyes.
He walked in front of me, his tall physique eclipsing the last few minutes of daylight. “Do you mind?”
“Actually, I do.”
He watched me furtively. “Stop acting like a petulant child. What the demons will do if they capture you will be a worse fate even your worst nightmares can’t conjure.”
I raised my chin. “I think I’ll take my chances, but thanks. Let me guess, you already know what my worst nightmares are because you somehow spied on those, too.”
Ben remained silent. “Not exactly.”
He has got to be shitting me.
I shoved myself to my feet. “Is nothing sacred anymore?” I screamed as I jabbed my chest.
“This is,” Ben growled. His eyes flashed before he crushed my body to his, his lips as wild as a twister. They were demanding and insistent, taking control of the kiss. He pressed me against him, his hands roaming over my body as his lips moved over mine with a sense of urgency.
I could feel myself melting into him, giving in to the intensity of the kiss. His tongue slipped past my lips, exploring my mouth with a fierce hunger. I found myself responding in kind, my own desire rising to match his.
His hands were all over me, running through my hair, down my back, tightening his hold around me. Ben’s heartbeat thrummed against mine, matching the rapid pace of our kiss. Reaching to cup my bum, he guided my legs to wrap around him. I ran my hands through his hair, pulling him closer, needing him closer, as our kiss intensified. Our tongues danced together, exploring each other's mouths with a sense of urgency racing against the darkness as the last few rays of light were swallowed by the night and stars.
For once, I tore my mouth away, breaking the kiss. We were both panting, and my heart was racing. The chemistry between us was undeniable. Ben looked at me fiercely, his eyes dark with a desire that matched mine.
Ben rested his forehead against my temple. “I know everything about today was all kinds of fucked up. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you sooner. There are so many things I would change if I could. None of this,” he gestured between us, “was in the plans. I should walk away from you.”
“But?” I pushed.
“But…I can’t bring myself to be separated from you. Or want to obliterate the thought of anyone else touching you.”
“You lied to me, Ben. Broke what fragile trust that was there between us.”
“No one hates me more at the pain I've inflicted on you today.” His eyes were stricken with guilt.
Broken memories of him at the site of the accident, defending me against the monster, watching movies with me as a kid, making out with me in the car, getting coffee at Perk & Pour. Being around him had always made me want more.
I knew memories, just like people sticking around, were fleeting. But maybe it was worth enjoying the now, at least until my birthday. It was clear Ben had some idea of what could happen to me. Once I turned twenty-one, I would never have to see him again. I deserved a few weeks of happiness, a chance to make my own choices, even if it had an expiration date.
The warnings of Ben being dangerous never evaporated, but there were pieces of him I saw that made him seem infinitely younger and lighter. We were both survivors. Could I look past the pain that he inflicted? I still wasn’t sure.
“I need some time and space to process all of this.” I took a deep breath and unplugged a tiny hole in my armor. “If it was anyone but you, I wouldn’t think twice about never speaking to them again. You were my first friend. I don’t think I could have gotten through my childhood without your steadfast presence. But all of that doesn’t erase the lies.”
Ben nodded solemnly. “I understand. Take whatever time you need.”
“I’m aware time is not something we have in spades, but regardless, it’s what I need.” There was an internal clock ticking down every second until my birthday approached. Marking the moment when I would have to choose between everything I’d ever known for the possibility of belonging, acceptance, and maybe love.
“Of course. Let me at least get you back to your apartment safely. It really isn’t safe to be out alone at night.”
“Okay."
* * *
The entire ride back from the boardwalk to my condo, I kept sneaking glances at Ben. I’d always been the type of person to feel everything with my whole being. And right now, I felt shattered.
Ben had said he thought the true extent of my abilities remained static until I reached the age of maturity. From what he had heard aboutdimidiums, there was an inciting incident that usually helped awaken the dormant powers. We both agreed it had been the death of Charles.
“We’re here,” Ben stated in a low voice.
“Okay. What do we owe you?” I leaned forward in my seat to ask the driver.
