Slowly, I stalked her, pausing when she did, stepping behind trees when she looked around. I was enjoying her panicked state. I imagined her racing pulse, the sweat on her brow, the exhaustion in her thighs. I was going to follow her until she gave up. I had way more stamina than she did.
Finally, she collapsed against a tree. She closed her eyes and started to breathe in and out deeply.
She was so pretty, scared and alone. Swayze called her his little doll because of how fragile her heart seemed to be. For me, she was making me see this place for what it truly was, a monstrosity. I hadn’t realized how much I needed someone like her to show me the life I could have out of this place. Even though I’d yet to even kiss her.
She was a blessing in disguise.
Her dad was right.
Blessing, was a better name for her.
I stepped into view.
"Domino?"
She bolted up, then slumped again, too tired to fight off her stalker.
"What are you doing in these woods? You're pretty deep."
"I-I don't know. I just needed to get away from—" She waved her arms erratically. "Everything. It's been a long day. How did you know I was here?"
She hadn't even mentioned the man in the mask. Had I frightened her at all?
"Swayze asked me to come find you." I stepped over to her. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. Thank you. I'll be okay. I just… I'm dealing with a lot of things. I needed to be alone." Her torturous state made me uneasy.
"Did someone hurt you? Swayze?" I found myself only a foot away from her. I stepped closer, bridging the gap. She stumbled back, only enough to hit a tree. I put my arm up, caging her in. "If Swayze hurt you, then you need to tell me."
"He didn't hurt me!" she exclaimed. "He just… He kissed me."
Kissed?
"Did you not want him to?"
"No, I mean, yes. I mean, I don't know. I've never?—"
"Never kissed anyone?" I laughed. "You just get straight to the good stuff? I respect that."
She shook her head, and I touched her shoulder.
"No, you don't get it. I've never done anything."
I blinked. Anything as in anything?
"Don't tell anyone. Please, I need time to figure out my feelings."
"What does that even mean? Tell me, Blessing." I bowed my head and whispered, "Are you struggling with your feelings because you liked Swayze's lips on yours, or because you want mine instead?"
She looked up in surprise, and I brought my lips down onto hers. Was it my nickname or the other part that had her eyes so wide? I kissed her firmly and waited for her reaction. Would she slap me? Would she cry or run away? I counted each second, preparing for her to do something that would gut me. I partedmy lips, and then suddenly, so did she. She kissed me back, tongue and all.
"I don't know what I want," she gasped in between kisses.
"That's okay," I said, trailing my hand over her shirt. "You don't have to decide anything right now. Let's just have a little fun first."
"Are you going to tell Swayze?" she asked.
I grinned.
