Crimson Core: Awakened Desire

Chapter 8: A Kiss Between Strangers

My breath hitched as Argento's lips crashed against mine, a shock of surprise quickly igniting into a blaze of heat that consumed me. That first touch was like a spark, setting off something deep within that I couldn't control.

I surrendered to the kiss, my thoughts scattering like ashes in the wind as my hands found their way into his hair, pulling him closer. The urgency in our movements and the way our tongues danced with a fervent intensity left me dizzy with desire.

When Argento's hand pressed against the growing heat low in my abdomen, a wave of pleasure surged through me, pulling a throaty moan from my lips that reverberated between us. Every part of me was focused on the sensations coursing through my body, the connection between us intensifying with each passing second.

I was being pulled toward a sensation, a lust I didn't fully understand, but it was irresistible.

Argento growled into my mouth. It was a low, primal sound that sent a tingling sensation down my spine. His touch, his presence—it all overwhelmed my senses, pulling me toward the brink of something I'd never felt before.

Just as I teetered on the edge of release, he abruptly pulled away, leaving me gasping for breath.

Frustration and confusion clawed at my insides as my eyes fluttered open to meet his. The wildness in his expression was undeniable. His silver eyes were now a bright, unsettling red that matched the flush of his skin.

Without a word, Argento backed away, his gaze a storm of emotion I couldn't decipher. Then, before I could react, he turned and strode onto the balcony, launching himself into the air. His wings unfurled in a powerful sweep, and he disappeared from view, leaving me alone in the quiet apartment.

I sat on the stool, my heart still racing, my lips tingling with the memory of his kiss.

Guilt gnawed at me as the reality of what had just happened sank in. I could still feel the warmth of his touch on my skin, a lingering heat that defied explanation. Rising unsteadily, I walked to the hallway mirror and stared at my reflection. 

There, I saw that the brown of my eyes now seemed tinged with an unsettling red sheen.

"What the hell just happened?"

I whispered to my reflection, my voice trembling with confusion and guilt. The realization that Argento was far from human only compounded my turmoil. My mind raced, filled with panic as I imagined the worst possible scenarios happening to my body, fueled by late-night horror movie binges.

My hands trembled as I placed them on my stomach, my thoughts spiraling into terrifying possibilities.

"What if...?"

Grotesque images flashed through my mind—creatures bursting from someone's abdomen—and I shook my head, trying to dislodge the horrific thoughts.

I shuffled back into the living room, collapsing onto the couch. The events of the past two days spun in my mind, making it impossible to find any semblance of peace. I lay there, hoping that sleep would bring some relief, but despite my exhaustion, it eluded me.

As dawn began to creep across the horizon, casting the first light of morning into the room, I finally rose to face the day.

The open balcony door had let in a chill breeze that had been swirling all night, yet I realized I didn't feel cold. Stepping out into the crisp air, I felt a strange sense of resilience, as if something had changed within me.

The mystery of the night lingered in my thoughts, wrapping around me like a cloak. As the city began to stir awake, I steeled myself for the day ahead, the weight of my encounter with Argento casting a long shadow over my reality.