SYNERGY

Synchrony 20.

I wasn't sure where Kip was taking me. I recognized the main building and when we walked by the front desk I gave Loretta a little wave, Loretta grimaced in response and I swore I heard Kip chuckle. We kept going and eventually reached a corridor. The further down the hall we went the plaster walls began to turn to stone and at the end of the corridor there was a spiral staircase.

"Is this where you're going to murder me," I joked.

"I'm not allowed to murder you yet," he responded.

I wasn't sure if he was joking or not. However, out of the corner of my eyes I saw him grin. When we got to the top of the stairs there was a wooden door.

Swinging it open he announced, "welcome to my room."

Kip's room was in a circular tower. The entire thing was made of wood floors and paneling. It reminded me of the room Cinderella's evil stepmother kept her in. I giggled to myself wondering if he had little mice friends. The place was spotless with a four-post bed in the middle, that was covered in a dark blue duvet. His dresser was across from his bed and topped with nick knacks. On one end of the room there was a window with a wooden desk underneath that was stacked with books. On the other was a mirror that looked like it had been punched, with a single chair in front of it and two portraits on the wall, I walked over to them.

"Are these your parents?" I inquired, but he didn't respond, just looked uncomfortable.

"You look like your mom."

"So, I've heard," he mumbled. He was fighting a string that was attached to his sweater.

He wasn't dressed up like he usually was. He had on a navy sweater, black jeans and brown leather boots. His hair was hanging down in a messy tousle and he was starting to get dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were a lot darker than when I first met him like looking into two bottomless wells. My favorite time to observe him, when he didn't seem to notice.

He stopped fidgeting and matched my stare.

It felt so awkward and I needed to break the silence. "Sooo, I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier."

He walked over and wrapped his arms around me closing the distance between us. The gesture making my breath hitch. Blood rushed to my face as I looked up at him. He had a faint smell of fabric softener, sunshine and smoke.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into my ear making me shudder. "I know you don't trust me, but I've never felt like this before. I pushed all my emotions outside of myself today because I thought I could train you better. I'm realizing now that I pushed you too far and what I did wasn't right."

He squeezed me tighter almost as if to keep himself from breaking. "I don't know what I'm feeling because I haven't felt in a really long time," he paused trying to find the words glancing over at his books then the portrait of his parents before his eyes found mine again.

"This one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall. I want this, not only do you make me want to be alive, but to live." His honeyed voice grew softer, deeper as he looked down at me. "I want to run my hands through your hair," he slid his hands into my hair tipping my head back. Leaning in he kissed the base of my throat. My mouth parting in surprise a small sound escaping my lips. I slipped my hands into the back of his shirt and ran my hands up his muscled back in response. He laid kisses on me, then slowly started biting down my jaw line. I let out a whimper and he groaned kissing me. The thought of stopping crossed my mind, but I was letting our energy flow together making my whole-body tingle. I felt his hands run down my thighs, and in one solid motion he picked me up wrapping my legs around him. He kissed my lips slow and soft savoring my mouth before placing me down on the bed. Drawing his sweater off, he tossed it to the side. I couldn't help myself I reached up touching his hard smooth stomach causing him to shiver, slowly he leaned down and kissed me again deepening the kiss. I opened my mouth for him sliding my tongue into his mouth tasting hot lust and teeth. He devoured me wholly grinding himself into my wetness between my legs I found feel his hard length pressing into me through his pants.

What am I doing? I thought reluctantly and froze.

"Kip."

"Yes," he said against my lips.

"We should stop."

He drew back.

"I'm sorry," he breathed.

I looked at him. "I just don't want things to get out of hand."

Nodding he rolled onto his side resting his head against his hand and closed his eyes. He looked so peaceful, his dark lashes feathering against his cheeks.

He grinned, "you're staring at me."

"I want you to keep training me like you did today."

One eye popped open, "what?"

"After today I know you've been holding back on me, and I don't want to do that anymore. Because you're right I need to be able to use my powers, and before today I couldn't."

He stared at me for a long moment before nodding in agreement."Okay I won't hold back on you," he grinned and leaned forward to kiss me again.

I jolted upward looking at the clock on the wall. "I've got to get going I'm sure Violet and Foster are worried about me and I'm not trying to get in trouble again after last time."

When I mentioned fosters name, he grimaced.

"Hey," I frowned punching him in the arm. "What's your problem with him anyways?"

He sat up staring out the window. "He has not so much a brain as earwax."

I raised an eyebrow at him, but he didn't say anything else, so I took that as my que to leave.

"Astrid?" he called.

"Yes?"

"Don't you want to know about my ability?"

I paused. "I think it's like you said it's better if people don't know, you'll tell me your story soon enough."

He nodded, still staring out the window some of the darkness returning to his eyes.

"But I'm glad you showed me." I thought about kissing him goodbye, but I knew if I did that my willpower wouldn't last. Instead I opted for a soft kiss on his check then walked out the door. I left going back down the stairwell. My heart raced and in between my legs throbbed. I lifted my fingers to my lips they were hot and still tingling from his kiss.