Breaking the Grid

Surprise

The second I shut the door behind us, I didn't give Kyra the chance to move away.

I reached for the collar of her hoodie, gripping it tightly and pulling her back toward me. She barely had time to react before our lips crashed together, raw and urgent, like a spark finally igniting after being held back for too long.

I stepped back, my legs hitting the bed, and without breaking the kiss, I sat down—pulling her with me. She followed without hesitation, settling onto my lap, her knees pressing into the mattress on either side of me.

The kiss quickly became something more, something desperate. My hands roamed up her back, gripping at the fabric of her hoodie, tugging her impossibly closer, but somehow—somehow—it still wasn't close enough.

It made no sense.

It had only been a week. Just a week since I had last touched her, since I had last felt the warmth of her body against mine. And yet, this moment, this feeling—it was overwhelming, like I had been starving for it longer than I realized.

Our mouths moved together in perfect sync, neither of us willing to break apart. Her fingers dug into my shoulders, holding onto me just as tightly, her breath mixing with mine, her heart pounding against my chest.

Then, finally—finally—she pulled back, her breathing uneven as she ran a hand up to my face.

Gently, she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, her fingers lingering near my jaw. I looked at her, barely ten centimeters away, her face still flushed, her lips slightly swollen from kissing me.

She was breathtaking.

I whispered it, barely realizing I had spoken aloud. "You're so beautiful..."

Kyra rolled her eyes, letting out a short laugh before shaking her head. "What's gotten into you since this morning?"

I just smirked, leaning forward to press a quick kiss to her cheek. "What are you talking about?"

She didn't smile this time.

Instead, her expression shifted—her eyes searching mine, something serious settling in them. "Blair."

My smirk faltered slightly.

"Don't play," she murmured, her voice softer now. "And besides... we could just keep kissing, right? Good idea, no?" I tried, my hands finding her waist again, attempting to pull her back toward me.

But this time, she didn't let me.

She pulled away, her gaze darker, heavier, more intense than before. "No."

I frowned, my hands dropping from her waist as I looked up at her, confused.

Kyra exhaled, bringing her hand up again, her thumb brushing over my lips gently, almost painfully slow.

"We need to talk about today."

I swallowed, my jaw clenching slightly. I didn't say anything.

She sighed, tilting her head slightly as her thumb still lingered against my skin.

"Why are you acting like this?" she asked, her voice quieter, more careful. "You won't even talk to me."

I looked at her, my throat tightening.

I exhaled slowly, my hands finding their way to her ribs, my fingers pressing lightly against the fabric of her hoodie. My head dipped for a second, my forehead nearly touching her collarbone before I finally spoke, my voice quieter than before.

"Because I don't like how people talk about our relationship," I admitted, my thumbs brushing gently over her sides. "About you. About its effect on my career."