Page 99 of Withered

I place my hand on his cheek, rub my thumb against his jaw, and feel his pulse throbbing in his throat. I press my lips against him, and he responds immediately.

Not wanting to waste any time, I pepper kisses against his jaw; his skin is hot, and I sure as hell am on fire.

I stop above his collarbone, repeating what he did to me. I bite him, eliciting a grunt from him, and his fingers tightly grip my thigh. I finish my work, blowing a breath on it, then swipe my tongue over it.

“All done,” I say, admiring my work.

He opens his eyes and looks in the mirror at the mark. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“That bad?” I ask.

“That’s pretty good,” he says it, and I blush.

“Yeah, I learned from the best.” I laugh and get up from his lap.

He unlocks the door lock, and I take my bag. “Bye, Jakey.” I chuckle at the nickname.

He shakes his head and drives away. Getting inside the house, I change, eat, and relax on my bed. At that moment, I realize how things had changed.

I’m no longer the quiet, shy, and innocent girl. I’m no longer worried about others’ opinions. I was doing perfectly fine before Jake. But now that he’s here, I am living.

Even today, I talked back to Olivia. I simply would have walked away in the past. I was making it through the ideal life I was given. But then this one boy had to walk in and shake things up like a tornado. Sure, we have friends, but you never know what your life could be like with that one person.

When we first met, I had a deep hatred for Jake. Because he made a bad first impression. And also because he was difficult, arrogant, and annoying. But now I feel as though I’m seeing a different person. You never know what someone is going through until they let you in and tell you. Jake is that person.

Whenever he is close to me, I have this physical attraction towards him. When our bodies come into contact, each touch drives me crazy. If it were for any other boy, I would have kept my distance, but Jake makes me want to try new things.

Even without a bottle, I’m drunk with him. I’m high for no reason. I am getting to know him one step at a time. Every time we talk, it’s something new. New things about him, or maybe just something new physically. Every single word has its moment with him.

This is a change. I’m thrilled and scared all at the same time. I know it’s forward-looking, but it’s true. I won’t lie; I want it. Every time he gets close, I have to convince myself that I don’t want it, even if I do. It’s a risk I am willing to take.

“Thinking about me, Evans.” Jake’s voice cuts through the window into my room.

I turn on my bed with a smile on my face, lifting myself on my elbow. “Maybe.”

“I’ll take it. So, what are you doing?” He asks while sitting on the edge of his window.

“Nothing as of now.” I shift, leaning against the headboard.

“Move that chair.” He points to the white chair near the window.

I get up, confused, but move it aside.

Jake stands by his window, and in the blink of an eye, he jumps into my room before I can stop him.

“What the hell? Are you crazy?” I yell.

“Loosen up, Evans. That was quite easy,” he says that as if it’s no big issue.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

He flops down on my bed, his hands stretched back, supporting his body weight. “Mum wants me to go meet my dad.”

I stand silently listening to him, not moving, just looking at him and urging him to continue.

He sits straight. “Can you come with me?”

“Why me? I mean, I don’t mind, but you should go alone,” I say.

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