Silk Skin and Smoke (Age Gap)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Tilly's POV

I closed my eyes, sensing the brush of leaves at my feet, the light breeze on my sweaty neck, the pockets of heat that beamed past the trees. Shit. I'm not wearing sunscreen. Fuck. Stop. Focus.

Water. Water. Water.

Hydrogen, hydrogen, oxygen. So fucking small, they felt smaller than brain cells. No rhythm or reason to their movements. And I needed a lot. Stop. Focus.

Taking a deep breath I calmed. Letting my power do the work. It worked faster and faster. I opened my eyes and stumbled back as my water grew at the speed of light. Faster than any of the other days I've been out here. The hours I've spent working through this ability were paying off. I had at least 5 gallons of water, floating in thin air before me.

Enough to drown a man if I forced it down their throat. Augustus was right. I'm stronger than I think I am. Maybe even more evil too. My first thought is murdering someone when I realize the range in my power.

"Wow." Jakes voice piped from behind me. I smiled and effortlessly moved a handful of water, splashing him with it. He stared down at his wet shirt and chuckled.

"That's all you got?" He taunted with a sly smirk. I chuckled, taking my focus on half the water and thinning its surface area to a sharp blade like point, chucking it straight for the tree. Bark went flying, slicing the tree with extreme precision.

"Show me more." He grinned. I couldn't help but smile as well. It felt good to master my own power. To have something my father didn't.

I showed Jake my ability to create fire, speeding up molecules to the rate of combustion was easier than pulling water. I found myself trying to do the same things Augustus did. To me, he was the pinnacle of true power, if I could master his tricks then I think that'd be enough validation for me.

Jake watched the ball of fire form in my hand, splitting it up between my five fingers before closing my fist and silencing it completely.

"Next time Augustus brings in a traitor you should work on your mind games, or your bending of flesh and bone." He came closer. I shook my head.

"I'd never torture anyone." I quickly let out. He cocked his head at me, analyzing me closely.

"Try me then." He offered.

"You want me to hurt you?"

"No, I want you to force me to do something I don't want to do. Mess with my head." He explained. I laughed.

"I think I seem to do that already, without trying." I teased. He rolled his eyes and closed the distance between us.

"So the big bad wolf wants to kiss you. There's no harm in a kiss Tilly. Change my mind." He whispered. He smirked as he grabbed me, leaning in with slow intention to cover my mouth with his.

I closed my eyes. Sensing the pumping of blood through his veins, the hard bone of his skull, and the tissue that pulsed with neurons, shooting in all directions. I found the ones with a pattern, his mind was ready to kiss me. He wanted to kiss me more than anything. He pictured my lips, my taste, my smell. He wanted it, just for a moment. So I stopped my manipulation. And let him kiss me.

Jake was just as shocked as I was when our lips touched. He was warm, maybe even too warm. But his lips were soft, and melded to mine perfectly. He tilted his head, opening his mouth to mine. I let his heated palm slide to the back of my sweaty neck. He groaned as I opened with him.

"Why aren't you stopping me?" He panted against my lips. I let him pull me flush.

"I'm trying." I responded breathlessly. Truth is I wasn't trying. I felt his desperation as soon as I sunk into his brain. It was like fire inside him, burning every thought. It was just a kiss. And most the fire came from wondering what it felt like. I was glad to put his fire out.