Fragments - Book One of the Missing

Chapter 30 - Rowan

By the time they had arrived back at the city, the tension of driving into the unknown had melted and they were both laughing again. It was completely dark now, but Taniel still drove with the lights off, keeping as low a profile as possible.

In general, this would have scared Rowan, but today it was thrilling. She rolled down the windows and smiled into the wind.

"I know we should check in with Scooter, but do you want to celebrate first?" Taniel asked her.

"Celebrate what?"

"Surviving Hamza's. I didn't think you were going to make it at first."

She wanted to whack him but couldn't help her laugh. It was true, if she was being honest with herself. "How about we head home for tonight? I could use a good night sleep."

"What's that? I don't even know what a good night's sleep is anymore."

They dragged their weary feet up the stairwell to the loft. It was empty.

"Where could Scooter be? It's kind of late, isn't it?" she asked.

Taniel shrugged and plopped on the couch. She sat next to him. They were alone. The thought warmed her cheeks.

"I'm glad you found me, Taniel," she whispered.

He looked at her then. Really looked at her. The connection between them drew her closer. She put a hand on his chest. This light the Stars had given her.

His voice was low, gravely. "Everything's been different with you, Rowan. Stars, I can't even think around you."

A wicked grin spread across her face at that. She ran his hand over his strong shoulders. She yelped in surprise when she found both of his hands on her hips, pulling her onto his lap.

Taniel leaned in, placing his hand on her cheek. His lips found her own, and he kissed her softly and gently at first. Then he wrapped his hand around her neck and she leaned back into him.

He moved away for a quick breath, and she realized how badly she wanted this, how badly she wanted him. The fire on her lips rivaled the satisfaction rippling through her whole body.

Chocolate brown eyes melted into green. He kissed her harder. The kiss was deeper, sweeter than their first two. She could lose herself in him and live like this forever. This soul that had found her had inextricably intertwined with her own. She didn't know where she ended and he began. What was one without the other?

The moment of perfection was over too soon. He slowly pulled away from her. His hands on her shoulders.

"Rowan," he said. Voice still gravely, but his lips screwed to the side. Holding back words he didn't want to say. "We can't."

"You aren't embarrassed, are you?" Her voice caught.

"Of course not! I've wanted to do that for far too long, but there are just things..." He trailed off. "I don't want to take advantage of you. Things are too crazy right now. Too emotional. We shouldn't do anything we could regret."

She nodded, her eyes stinging. She had to get a grip. He was being chivalrous and reasonable. "I'm going to go for a walk."

His eyes followed her all the way out of the loft.

****

She wouldn't let the tears fall. She wouldn't cry over some boy who distracted her from getting her family back. Nothing but a stupid distraction.

Despite the whirlwind of emotions, there was a small satisfaction that she had been able to find the rooftop garden Taniel had brought her to months ago. How much had changed. The bar below her, though, was still just as crowded and just as loud.