Crimson Bonds

Want

When I wake again, the room is still and dim, the air thick with the quiet hum of something unspoken. My body feels heavy but not in a bad way—more like the weight of everything that's happened is settling over me, wrapping around me like a blanket. I'm still in Dante's arms, his warmth grounding me in a way that makes it hard to think about anything else.

I blink, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, but as the fog in my mind lifts, I'm immediately aware of the lingering tension in my body. It's not the kind of tension that comes from fear or exhaustion, though. It's something else. Something deeper.

The memory of Nikolai's kiss flashes in my mind—the softness of it, the unexpected tenderness that came with it. But even more than that, I remember the way I'd felt watching him with Lila and Dante. I had been confused and shocked. I'd been... drawn in. And now, that same heat that had stirred in me before is back, simmering just beneath the surface.

I shift slightly in Dante's arms, my breath catching as I realize just how close I am to him. His hands rest on my waist, his touch light but firm, and I can feel the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath me. The warmth of his body seeps into mine, making it hard to think clearly, and for a moment, all I can focus on is how much I want to close the gap between us.

My heart skips a beat, and I try to push the thought away, but it's no use. The pull toward him is undeniable, and the longer I lie here, the stronger it gets. I want to kiss him. I want to feel that connection again, the one that had sparked when Nikolai kissed me, but this time with Dante. It's more than just desire—it's the bond we've formed, the way our lives have become so intertwined. It's like I can feel everything, the weight of our connection pressing against me, urging me forward.

But it's not just Dante. As my eyes flick toward the other side of the room, I see Lila, still sitting by the window, her posture relaxed but alert. The soft neon light from the outside casts a gentle glow on her face, and there's something about her that draws me in just as much as Dante. Her calm strength, her quiet compassion—it pulls at me, making me want to reach out, to feel that same connection with her.

I take a slow breath, trying to steady myself, but my thoughts are swirling in a way I can't control. The tension between us all is palpable, and I can feel the heat rising in me again, that same unfamiliar warmth that I've been trying to ignore. But it's harder now. It's harder because I don't just want Dante. I want Lila too.

Suddenly, Lila shifts in her seat and glances at me, her expression soft but a little more serious than usual. She stands and walks over to the bed, sitting beside me and resting a gentle hand on my arm. Her gaze is focused, like she's weighing something carefully.

"Olivia," she begins quietly, her voice soft but firm, "there's something you should know... about me."

I blink, momentarily distracted from my racing thoughts, and sit up a little straighter. "What is it?"

Lila hesitates for a moment, then glances at Dante before looking back at me. "I can... read minds," she says, her voice steady but cautious. "It's something I've been able to do for a long time. I don't use it unless I need to, but... I thought it was only fair to tell you now, especially since... well..."

My heart stops. I stare at her, the words taking a moment to fully sink in.

Lila can read minds.

That means... oh, god. That means she knows. She knows exactly what I've been thinking. She knows I want to kiss Dante.

She knows I want to kiss her.

My face flushes hot with embarrassment, and I can feel my pulse quicken as the realization hits me like a wave. My thoughts—every single one of them—have been laid bare for her to see. And the worst part is, she's been so calm, so composed this entire time. I want to disappear into the bed, melt into nothingness, anything to escape this mortifying situation.

"Oh my god," I blurt out, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "You... you've known what I've been thinking this whole time?"

Lila gives me a small, understanding smile, her hand still resting gently on my arm. "Only recently," she says softly. "I don't intrude unless it's necessary, but... your thoughts are pretty loud, Olivia."

I groan, covering my face with my hands. "I can't believe this."

Dante chuckles softly behind me, his arms tightening slightly around my waist. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about," he says gently, his voice laced with amusement but also warmth. "Lila only told you because she didn't want to keep anything from you. She respects your privacy."

I peek through my fingers, my face still burning. "But you... you know what I've been thinking."

Lila nods, her smile softening. "Yes, Olivia. I know."

I shake my head, trying to bury my embarrassment, but it's no use. I feel like I've been completely exposed. My desires, my confusion—everything I've been struggling with is now out in the open, and I don't know how to handle it.

"I'm so sorry," I mumble, my voice muffled by my hands. "I didn't mean to... I mean, I didn't want to make things awkward or... or..."

Lila's fingers gently brush against mine, coaxing me to lower my hands. When I do, I find her smiling at me with a kindness that makes my embarrassment soften just a little. "Olivia, it's okay," she says softly. "I understand how you feel. And there's nothing to be ashamed of. The bond we share, it's not something you can control. It's natural to feel drawn to us. We feel it too."

Her words are a balm to my frazzled nerves, and for the first time since she told me about her ability, I manage to take a steady breath. "You do?"

Dante speaks then, his voice low and soothing. "Of course we do. The connection we share isn't something to be afraid of."

I glance between them, my embarrassment slowly giving way to something warmer, something more comforting. They're not upset. They're not judging me. They understand.

But I still can't shake the nerves swirling inside me, the weight of what I'd been feeling before Lila dropped the mind-reading bombshell. "So... what now?" I ask, my voice still shaky but calmer than before.

Lila's smile deepens, and she squeezes my hand gently. "Now, you can stop worrying so much about what we know. If you want to explore this connection, we're here for you. No pressure. No expectations. Just... trust."

I take a deep breath, glancing at Dante and then back at Lila. The warmth of their presence, the understanding in their eyes—it's enough to melt the last of my fear.

Slowly, tentatively, I lean toward Lila, my heart pounding in my chest. She doesn't move, doesn't push or pull, just lets me come to her at my own pace. And when our lips finally meet, it's soft and gentle, like the beginning of something I've been waiting for, something I didn't know I needed until now.

The kiss lingers for a moment, and when I pull back, my breath is shaky, my pulse racing. Lila smiles softly, her hand still resting on my arm, a quiet reassurance.

I glance at Dante, who's watching us with a look that's both protective and understanding. There's no jealousy, no tension—just an acceptance that fills the space between us.

I lean toward him next, and when our lips meet, it's different. There's a quiet intensity, a deeper connection that's been building from the very start. His hand moves to cup the back of my neck, pulling me closer, and I feel that same spark again, the one that had been simmering inside me all along.

When I finally pull back, I'm breathless, my heart pounding, but I feel lighter, more at peace with the weight of everything. This connection between us—it's real. It's more than just physical attraction. It's the bond we share, the trust we've built, the way our lives have intertwined.

And maybe I'm ready to embrace it.