Page 34 of Withered

“Rose, you’re tired; you should sleep. It’ll make you feel better.”

I ignore him and pat the space beside me. Without asking any questions, he sits beside me, facing me.

“I like your hair, body, and most of all, your eyes. They are so green.” I stare into his dark green forest eyes.

I trace the clock tattoo, which makes him flinch at first, but he relaxes under my touch. I keep tracing the outline when he catches my wrist and tugs me towards him.

We’re so close that I can feel his minty breath fanning my face and the tips of our noses touching.

He’s looking me in the eyes, but they dip down to my lips. His gaze keeps shifting. Unsure of what to do with my hands, I put one on his cheek and run the other through his soft hair.

He starts leaning in closer, and I copy his movements. Just a little more, and our lips would finally touch. But I pull back a little and whisper, “I’ve never been kissed before.”

He stares at me, his eyes smoldering as he replies, shocked. “What?”

I pull back, embarrassed and hurt, but his grip tightens and holds me in place. “Is it bad?”

“Nope. Not at all,” he speaks and asks, “Are the boys in your school deaf, dumb, or blind?”

I giggle, “You go to the same school, and no.”

He’s silent for a few seconds before the fire is back in his eyes. “Want me to teach you?”

My breath gets caught in my throat at his words. His pupils are dilated, and the heat from his body makes it hard for me to keep track of what’s going on. So I manage a simple nod.

“Just follow my lead.” He starts leaning in close.

Seconds later, his lips touch mine, and I close my eyes. I suck in a sharp breath, earning a groan from him that vibrates through my body. His lips trace mine in a soft, tender kiss, and I do the same.

My body is on fire. I can’t think of anything else but the feel of his lips on mine. He traces my bottom lip with his tongue, playfully biting on it, forcing me to part my lips. He takes full advantage and kisses me by gliding his tongue inside.

I do the same as he does. His warm tongue dances with mine, and my body, which was hot, is nowignited.

We keep kissing each other, our tongues fighting for dominance. I let him win, but it’s me who wins. His tongue explores every corner of my mouth, and after a few seconds, both of us are out of breath.

“Fuck, Rose,” he says, out of breath, and before I can blink, I slam my mouth against his. Going in again. I can’t think. The pleasure has taken over me.

I pull at his hair, which makes him groan. The erotic voice travels through my body and wets my core. We’re kissing each other senselessly, neither of us ready to stop. If I could do one thing for the rest of my life, it has to be this. We break apart and rest our foreheads against each other.

“Did you like it?” He asks.

“I loved it,” I say, equally out of breath.

“You should sleep.” He tucks my hair behind my ears.

I nod and flop down on his bed, laughing as I bounce a little. He shakes his head in amusement.

“Let’s go; I’ll walk you home,” he offers, but I’m focused on my toes. They’re so small.

“No. I’ll sleep here.” I grab the comforter and get under it. “My house is so far.”

I’m not sure what he says because I fell asleep thinking about a certain green-eyed boy.

I stir in my sleep when I feel something strong around my waist. I open my eyes but immediately close them because my head hammers. The light in the room is adding to my discomfort. Why does my head hurt so much?

I massage my temple to soothe the pain, but my eyes land on the unfamiliar comforter on me. Confused, I shake the comforter off me, but it won’t budge.

My gaze lands on a warm arm wrapped around my waist. The air is knocked off my lungs when I see that the person next to me is none other than Jake. He’s sleeping with his arm around me and his body so close that I’m sure I feel hot right now because of him.

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