CONFINEMENT

CHAPTER TEN

   Castania smiled to herself as she felt Harrisons skin against hers. She had woken when the floorboards had creaked under his weight, but had acted like she was still asleep. She briefly wondered if she was being stupid and naïve again, for letting him come near her when she knew he would regret it and scream at her tomorrow, but for the time being she didn't care. It was too easy to get consumed by his warmth and safety. It was nice being liked by someone. She told herself that she deserved a moment of piece after what she had gone through in the zoo, and maybe she was delusional for hoping he wouldn't regret this, but she was too tired to fight it.

   Still acting like she was sleeping, she turned around to face his chest and she felt his grip around her tighten a bit, and a long kiss planted on her forehead. Their close proximity sent surges through her body and into her pelvis, and she couldn't help but crane her neck and plant a kiss on his lips. She felt his lips turn into a smile in the beginning, but then he kissed her back and snaked his arm into her hair, lightly gripping her wild curls. Their legs tangled together in another effort to get closer to each other and their kisses became hastier, but then he slowly pulled out of their kiss, before it would get any rougher. I have to be careful, he thought, or I'll accidentally break her.

   Castania shifted a little further up her pillow so she could look him in his eyes, and she gave him a weak smile.

   "I knew you were awake," He chuckled tiredly as he stroked away a stray curl from her face. She closed her eyes at his touch. "And you still came?"

   Harrison sighed. It wasn't on purpose that he had just admitted to that, but he saw no point in fighting the truth.

   "I did." was the only response he could master, without planting a new seed of doubt in his mind. A part of him got annoyed at her for commenting on it, when she knew his pride was taking a big hit just by being here, but he forgot about it as soon as he felt her lean into his frame.

   She rested her head against his collarbone, making him able to rest his head on hers. He caught the faint scent of her vanilla hair again, and another twitch tingled in his groin.

   "We don't have to define this yet." She sighed into his frame, and he began stroking her hair. "Deal?"

   "Deal." He didn't even have to think about that twice. They both knew it was wrong, but it felt so right, so for the time being it was okay.

   Harrison begged the Lords that he wouldn't wake her, as he sneaked out of the bedroom. The sun was beginning to rise, and it engulfed the apartment in that golden light he knew Castania was so fond of, and he briefly considered waking her to watch the sunrise together, but the shameful pit in his stomach told him not to. He had literally forced himself to leave her bed before she woke. It had been so nice to actually get some sleep and the warmth of her body combined with her scent felt almost arousing, but he knew that waking up together would be a death sentence. It would be way too personal, way too serious.

   Instead, he started another of his assignments that needed to be done. He found that his head felt less cloudy this morning, and he could properly concentrate for the first time in a while. He still had a couple of hours before he had to be at the Academy, and there was nothing else to do, so it was the perfect time to catch up, especially if he hadn't aced the exam from yesterday because of his lack of studying.

   He still felt a little stupid for succumbing to his lust and arousal, and the fact that he had actually gotten some sleep made it feel even more shameful. Their little agreement had helped with the shame but it didn't change the fact that he felt like his body craved her, like he was starved of affection. Of course he was attracted to her, but it wasn't just about having a quick fuck for the hell of it, like it had been so many other times. And that was maybe the worst thing; no matter how much he tried to convince himself it was just for a quickie, he knew it was more than that.