Page 64 of Heart of a Rebel

He holds my face against the crook of his neck and our breathing is frantic.

This should feel like a mistake because he’s my manager and my friend, and we were never meant to act on this.

But with his dick still throbbing inside me and his arms wrapped around me making me feel safe, all I feel is comfort. Because Adrian is where I’ve always belonged, and I’m tired of denying it.

23

Adrian

Smokeiswhathitsme first, followed by a sinking feeling in my stomach.

I hear explosions, and I think they’re farther away than they are until the ash starts raining down around me.

But I got out of here.

I escaped… didn’t I?

Coughing comes from behind me, and I spin to see her face from a distance. Cerulean eyes transform the moment I look into them. Darkening to a burnt umber as the girl changes from Sam to Eloise.

She shouldn’t be here.

None of us should.

There’s fear in her eyes as they skate over me, and when I look down, I see I’m covered in blood.

Death. Pain. It’s all I bring. And here she stands trusting me to protect her.

I take a step forward, but it’s like the earth stretches with my advance, because the closer I try to get, the further she is. And that’s when I hear it—tires crunching over dirt.

They’re coming for her, just like they did Sam.

“Adrian!” She screams as her face turns.

The fear in her eyes sends my feet running. But I can’t reach her. All I can do is watch as she looks at me once more with hurt in her eyes.

And then she’s nothing.

We’re nothing.

Pieces.

I failed her again.

“Adrian.”

My eyes fly open to find Eloise’s worried face hovering over me in bed. My heart is racing and my fingers are gripping the sheet at my sides because even if it was just a dream, I feel like I’m hanging on for dear life. I swear I can still smell the smoke lingering in my nostrils. A reminder that no matter how much time passes, the battlefield tucked itself under my skin and refuses to release me.

“You all right?” Eloise strokes her hand across my cheek and frowns. “Here I thought I was the only one with nightmares.”

I plant my hand over hers on my face and look up at her. Checking her for wounds that are all in my head. Pushing down the fear I can’t help but feel creeping up in me. Doubt that I’ll fail Eloise in the same way I failed Sam.

It’s irrational, but it doesn’t stop me from harboring the weight as I look into her worried eyes. I can’t help but think about how being with her will cloud my judgment, which is dangerous in our situation.

Eloise blinks and I take a deep breath.

She’s whole.

One.

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