James
“Hi.” I run my knuckles over her cheekbone.
I woke up curled into her.
I’ve never slept so soundly in my life. Not since before I attended basic training. I resigned myself to having nightmares most nights. It’s why I prefer to sleep in my office at the restaurant.
The couch is too small for me. So, I never sleep long enough to dream.
Normally, after a nightmare like the one I had last night, I’d go running or work out in the gym downstairs. I’ve never fallen asleep after one of them.
“You stayed.” I cup her cheek.
“Of course I did.” She looks taken aback. “Why would I leave?”
I don’t know anyone else who would have stayed with me, especially after I woke up with my fingers around their throat.
I was horrified when I saw that I’d marked her. Yet a thrill of possession ran through me.
I hate myself even more for that.
Self-loathing fills me. I run my fingers gently over the light bruise on her throat. Remorse churns my guts. I bend and kiss the reddened skin.
“I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t hurt me.” Something sparks behind her eyes.
She urges me to wrap my fingers around her throat and places her fingers over mine.
“You’d never hurt me.” She juts out her chin, a stubborn expression on her face.
Her confidence fills me with a strange warmth.
“You’re so sure?” I squeeze gently.
She shudders. Her pupils dilate.
“More than you are of yourself, it would seem.” She licks her lips.
I can’t take my gaze off her mouth.
That cupid’s bow of her upper lip beckons to me, invites me to trace its outline with my tongue.
I increase the pressure on her throat. Her chest rises and falls. Her pulse sends up a clamor. Something inside me responds to it. Need for her slams through me.
I lower my head.
She raises her chin.
Our breaths mingle. Her sweet scent of vanilla and coconut dissolves every logical thought in my head.
My lips touch hers. And my phone buzzes a reminder.
My heart jumps in my chest. My blood pressure shoots through the roof. What the hell am I doing?
I release my hold on her throat and roll off her onto my back. “Fuck.”
She jumps out of bed, takes one look at me, and blushes deeply.
