Burn My Paranoia One Last Time

32. Immoral Business

Hayden nearly jumped out of his skin.

"It looks like the power went out," Amber said flatly. At this point, she couldn't care less if it was Rain's doing or the strong gusts of wind outside. The darkness gave her courage. "Don't tell me you're afraid of the dark," Amber teased.

"Of course not," Hayden argued. His tone wasn't very convincing. "Where.. where are you? Is this you? I will actually run if it's not."

Amber suddenly felt his hand land over her breast.

"Huh, your shoulder is surprisingly soft?"

"HAYDEN!" Amber squealed and blushed furiously. Without thinking, she backed up into the bookcase and knocked a few files onto the ground.

Hayden quickly took off his hand. "Shit— I'm sorry!"

"It's ok," Amber said softly. She found his arm in the darkness, and traced her hand down his wrist to pull it back.

"This is my shoulder," she informed him, keeping her hand on his. Even in the absence of light, Amber was aware of the distance closing between them.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" Hayden challenged her in a low voice. He moved his hand away from the safety of her shoulder and rubbed the side of her face.

Amber felt her entire body grow warm. She could hardly stifle the gasp that came out of her mouth when his fingers first grazed her face.

"Of course not," Amber whispered. It was in this instant that she realized: she wanted him badly. She wanted him more badly than anything she'd ever remembered wanting. His caresses were a gentle invitation to desires no one had ever provoked in her before.

Amber slid her hands over his shoulders and pulled him closer until their faces were just inches apart. "I'm afraid of what you're making me feel right now."

Hayden rubbed his thumb over her chin and chuckled. "Never thought I'd hear you say something so cheesy."

"Just shut up and kiss me already," Amber pleaded.

Hayden obeyed. His lips pressed against hers, sending waves of electricity throughout her body. Amber caressed his warm neck and soft hair while kissing him even more passionately. His strong hands rubbed over her shoulders and waist so feverishly that her turtleneck slowly began to untuck from her skirt.

Hayden kissed down her chin before hooking his finger onto the top of her turtleneck and pulling it down to reveal her neck. Amber inhaled sharply when she felt him suck the space just above her collarbone. It was painful, yet sweet.

"You wanna know something?" Hayden murmured, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Hm?" Amber could barely hold back from breathing all rushed.

"Do you remember the first time we bumped into each other on the stairs?"

Amber chuckled. The memory of their first encounter was still fresh. "Of course I do. You almost made me trip over."

"The truth is..." Hayden pulled away a bit and caressed her cheek. "I dropped my calculator on purpose."

"What?"