Eclipse

Chapter 20

★Dayton★

The walk back to the barracks is excruciating. The thoughts of his lips on my own constantly replaying. The feel of my fingers on his hips. It made me shiver. I had never kissed anyone before him. After the kiss, I freaked out and left after what I said. I couldn't believe I admitted it to him. The only other person that knew was Elio. The way he looked at me... It was unimaginable. It was so hard to walk away. I wanted to kiss him until neither of us had the strength to stop. But I didn't. It was too dangerous.

The path in front of me leads to the barracks. I pull my hood farther down, my heart beating with want and need. I want him. I want to feel his arms wrapped around my neck again. I take in a shaky breath as I slip back into the tent. I have a few hours before the wake-up call. I walk to my bed as I begin to slip my cloak off.

"Where were you?" I gasp, whipping around to look at Elio now sitting up on his bed. He has his arms crossed and a suspicious look on his face. His golden eyes glint in the darkness as if glowing. Considering his undeniable power, I wouldn't be surprised if they actually were. He stares at me a few more seconds before the corners of his lips twist into a smirk.

He stands up, walking closer to me. He lowers his voice so only I can hear him in the possible occasion that one of the others woke up. He leans in so his mouth is next to my ear. "You were with him, weren't you? You're still blushing."

I take a deep breath. The memory coming back to me once again. His lips desprately pressing against mine. I close my eyes, inhaling, not even realizing that I had breathed out yet. I place my hands on Elio's chest and push him back. His eyes meet mine again. This time, he's smiling, something akin to pride.

I finally let out a breath of relief, knowing he's not disappointed in me. I nod, looking down, letting a smile come to my lips. "Yeah," I say, my voice barely even a whisper. "I kissed him. Or he kissed me? I don't know. I..." I trail off before continuing. "I initiated it, I guess."

I look back at Elio when he puts his hand on my shoulder. His smile is wide now. "I'm proud of you, Dayton. I'm proud of you for finding someone that can genuinely reciprocate your feelings."

There's something in his eyes when he says that. Regret? Shame? He feels bad that he can't feel the same way I did about him. I shake my head slightly, smiling now. "It's okay, Elio. I was never upset that you didn't like me back. I know you like women." I think saying it now, it's more true than ever. Part of me is... glad he never accepted my feelings.

Elio stands there for a moment before pulling me into a tight hug. I hesitate for a moment before hugging back, a warm smile on my lips. I'm glad that I have someone that I can talk to. Someone that won't judge me for who I am.

★★★

Massimo stays in my thoughts as I march past the same spot I kissed him last night. Heat rises to my face. I wonder if he's thinking about it at this very moment. The rest of the soldiers talk idly to each other, but I refuse to indulge as well. As I've made clear before, I don't like talking to the others. Only Elio. But part of me wants to talk to Massimo. It's a bad thought, but one I can't stop thinking of.

I take in a shaky breath as I think of my hands on his hips, my lips on his. I shake my head, focusing again on the town in front of me. We're supposed to be doing something.

"Hey, Ciya Beclo, what'chu thinkin' about? You got a new girl or something?" Ciyto Wixx asks me, nudging me with his elbow.

I look at him, surprise etched on my face. "What? Of course not," I answer, only feeling my blush grow. But either way, I can't let anyone know that I kissed a guy last night, much less a wanted criminal.