I shake my head, growing frantic and more anxious.
“No…” I whisper, ripping my hands out of his hold and clutching my chest. “Air. I need air.”
Heath says something but I can’t hear him above the noise of chaos stirring inside of me. His words are muffled. And no matter how much I try, I can’t focus on his voice.
Voices. There are so many voices.
But the words are the same.
It was a drunk mistake
I wanted to get rid of you
That’s all you are. A mistake.
Get away from me.
Get out of this house
I can’t deal with you.
A cry breaks out of me, desperate and painful, begging to erase those words from my memory that feel like arrows dug deep into my chest that pulling them out would kill me.
Pain intensifies in my chest with every short, little breath I draw in. The weight continues pressing down on me. My body feels light and breakable. I can’t stand it.
In the midst of the storm, I feel my face being cupped by big, warm hands. Fingers that are rough and callused. They caressmy cheeks, softly and slowly, permeating sparks that burn the ropes of anxiety curled around me. Then, his mouth presses against mine. The shape of his lips, the heat of his breaths and the tenderness of his movements wash me over with a wave of familiarity, so intense and strong, I drown in it.
I stay still, as he kisses my lips. His strokes are deliberately long as they infuse life into me.
His thumbs keep moving over my cheeks, bringing warmth to the skin.
Slowly, my lips start to tingle. Suddenly, an intense rush of sensations erupt, sharp and electric, making the butterflies in my stomach to flutter their wings wildly. Just a moment ago, they were swinging around buzzing with nervous energy.
When he pulls back, I gasp, inhaling a lungful of air—that was much needed.
It takes me a while to realize that my head isn’t humming with thoughts and my heart isn’t scratching the walls to come out.
“You are breathing.” Heath gently leans his forehead against mine. “Thank, fuck.” Relief echoes thick in his voice.
I close my eyes and breathe. The whiff of his scent enters me and makes a home inside my lungs. It’s his everyday cologne. One that is rich in tones of sandalwood and fresh mint. It smells heavenly and addicting.
Something taps the windshield pulling my attention away from him. I glance and see raindrops. A few more fall down. Then, the skies crack open with the booming sound of the thunder and bright flash of lightning that slices through the heavy mass of clouds. Soon, it starts raining freely.
“How are you feeling” Heath asks, turning my face in his direction.
I meet his worried gaze. Blue eyes that ache for me. It heals something in me, knowing at least someone cares about me. “I’m okay.”
He tucks a few strands of my hair behind my ear. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
I shiver, as those fingers graze the side of my neck. “No, I’m fine.”
“You really mean that?”
“Yes,” I answer strongly.
He turns on the heat and adjusts the fans in my direction. Warm air hits me that feels oddly comforting.
“You were shivering,” he murmurs as he starts the car and flips on the wipers.
