Page 76 of Riftborne
“I’m fine,” I whispered. My back flattened against the wall; my breath heavy. I could feel the static emanating between our bodies… So close…What would it feel like if he touched me?
“You’re not fine. Do you even understand how irresponsible this is? Coming back here in this state?” His voice took on a desperate tone, and I could smell the whiskey on his breath. I stayed silent.
“It’s different for you. And you know that.” He shook his head, stepping a breath closer.
“I don’t see why. This Compound is no different from the streets I walk every day,” I shot back, my mind twirling from the audacity of his words and the heat of his closeness.
“People on the streets don’t have the same privileges that the members of the Guard do, and you should know that,” he growled. His hand grazed my arm, sending a shiver down my spine.
I stepped forward, our lips nearly touching. The air vibrated around us, and his jaw tensed.
“Don’t act like you actually care,” I whispered, locking my eyes with his.
Suddenly, his hands were at my waist, pushing me against the wall. The movement was quick and desperate. And full of need…
I was full of need.
My body rushed with electricity at the feeling of his grip. The temptation to force him closer was immense, but I fought back with every fiber of my being.
It had to be the liquid euphoria… there was no way I actually wanted this man to…
And suddenly, his body slammed into mine, and I could feel his breath on my cheek. I bit back a whimper.
A delicious feeling seared through me.Yes…
I did want this… I didn’t care if it was real or not. It felt good.
Right.
Explosive.
Ecstasy danced along the surface of my skin. I wanted a release. I needed a release.
Just as I was about to reach up and run my fingers through his hair, I felt his body relax. He leaned his forehead against mine, exhaling slowly.
“You’re impossible, Fia,” he whispered. The touch of his head against my own was going to drive me to madness. My hands were still twitching with the need to grab him…
Please don’t stop.
But then he loosened his grip and backed away. My gaze fell to the ground, as embarrassment overwhelmed me.
Why did I want more?
He clenched his jaw, pacing in the opposite direction. “I’m just trying to keep you alive.” He sighed, nearing the door. His body seemed rigid. As he gripped the handle, he paused. I thought he might say something more, but eventually, he pulled it open and sauntered out, leaving me alone in the dimly lit room. I could have sworn there were two sets of footsteps echoing through the mess hall.
“Drink some fucking water.” I heard from down the corridor.
With my back still pressed against the wall, I sank to the ground.What was wrong with me?I should hate him. Everything about him. My feelings made no sense… I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. Shame crept into my mind, only mildly competing with the need that still clung to my bones.
He was a general in the Guard… I was nothing more than a weapon to him. That had been made crystal clear. He was wildly unavailable and my… desires were inappropriate and completely misguided.
I repeated the sentiments over and over again in my mind, waiting for them to take effect. I hugged my knees and rocked back and forth, trying to quell the ache that had started building in my core. The one I couldn’t allow to permeate me any further.
Sadness soon replaced it.
It was just the liquid Euphoria.
It had to be.
