city below. But inside, the silence felt heavier. Denser.

ly across my chest, trying to convince myself I still had

flick of a lighter. The hiss of flame m

ned s

ke weaving around his sharp profile like silk. The soft glow of the e

gh the haze. Calm.

I said, my voice t

when I need to think. Or

h footfall felt like thunder in my bones. His presence was overpowe

t, don't yo

he control you think i

show teeth. Then he extend

e d

don't

Good girl. I don't l

b brushing the corner of my lip. The int

l," he said. "But you

ing mine-not kissing. Te

d I'll stop,"

d not

dn't

Not tender. Not soft. But deep and consuming. Like h

my waist and pulled me closer. He didn't just kiss-he conquered. Hi

y nerve, inch by inch. The world disappeared. There was only h

old glass window. His hands slid under my shir

pau

u want

I br

ed. "Lie

w, the other sliding under my thigh, lifting me. I wrapped my legs around hi

e down like something sacred-and the

r every inch of my face, my body, like

shaking,

e the

r thigh, slow and agonizing

wn you?" he as

ldn't

Not yet. B

this time. He moved with confident precision, pulling a moan f

d still, he didn't kiss me aga

pered. "Give it to

just once. I

didn't

it. Beg

d at his shirt until the buttons scattered. His skin was warm,

er with every stoke. My body welcome

ak.... Just l

mov

eep. Da

pace between us. I clung to him, legs wrappe

t to m

ke you were

back as he went deepe

name," h

av

ude

av

der, deeper.

n't d

that mome

ng back a scream, my entire b

teeth at my shoulder-I felt the w

-

tangled, breat

from my face, eyes sof

ges nothin

ed. "It chang

, then tossed his cigarette i

You'll n

there. Sore. Sha

ing tha

was supposed to

th

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