Page 56 of Glass Rose
Gavin attaches one of them to my belt, his fingers lingering. “Stay close to me. Do exactly as I say.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Sofia… You don’t have to do this. I can handle it alone.”
“Like you handled leaving my bed every morning for three weeks?” Shit. That was uncalled for. “I—I’m sorry. But please stop treating me like I’m made of glass.”
John clears his throat. “We head out in five.”
Alex fiddles with his camera, pretending not to listen while Min-Ji gives me a subtle nod from across the room.
“Look,” I lower my voice. “I need to learn this. Not just for me, but?—”
“For what?” Gavin steps closer. “So you can run off on your own?”
“So I don’t have to depend on you to save me every time.” I meet his eyes directly. “So maybe you can stop feeling responsiblefor keeping me alive and actually sleep through the night.”
Something flickers across his face. Surprise, maybe hurt? “Is that what you think this is about?”
“I don’t know. You never stay long enough to tell me.”
John’s voice cuts through. “Time to move out, people!”
Gavin’s hand catches my arm as I turn to go. “We’ll talk.”
“Sure.” I offer a weak smile. “Right after you fuck me properly for once.”
His pupils dilate, but I don’t wait for his answer and walk toward the door where John waits, feeling Gavin’s eyes burning into my back.
I’m too agitated. I should be getting my period soon…
Hormones going crazy. Perfect.
Just what I need.
The forest surrounding the warehouse is beautiful in the afternoon light. Dew sparkling on fallen leaves, birds calling from the canopy above. Hard to believe death lurks between these trees.
Gavin moves through the forest like he was born here, each step silent and purposeful. I crash along behind him, every twig and leaf announcing my presence.
“You’re scaring away every animal in a mile radius.” He doesn’t even look back.
“Sorry.” I step on another branch. Crack. “Fuck.”
He stops abruptly, and I slam into his back. Solid muscle. No give.
“Here.” He turns, gripping my shoulders. “Walk where I walk. Step exactly where I step.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder.” His eyes scan the treeline. “Infected might be mindless, but they still respond to sound.”
I mimic his movements, placing my feet carefully. “Better?”
“Marginally.” His lips curve up. “You’ll live another five minutes.”
The forest thickens as we move deeper, sunlight filtering through leaves in dappled patterns. My heart hammers against my ribs, not from exertion but from the proximity of him. Three weeks of finger-fucking me senseless, and I still can’t breathe normally when he’s this close.
Ease into it.
