Forbidden

~Chapter Sixteen~

~Chapter Sixteen~

Arabella climbed through the window, shivering as fat drops of icy water dripped from her limbs. The cool chill of autumn rushed past her wet skin, but she could barely feel it. Despite her fighting, her senses had already begun to heighten and tingle with her natural perceptions. She easily tugged River in after her, blushing profusely when she realized that she was still wearing his shirt.

            She shrugged it off, shyly holding it out. “Here,” she stammered, her voice trembling as she placed it in his grip. “Sorry.”

            “Totally fine,” he reassured her. “You’re alive, I’m alive…everything’s okay now.” His smile penetrated Arabella’s human embarrassment, and the flush faded from her cheeks. She grinned back, suddenly aware of the warm atmosphere radiating between the two.

            Arabella watched as River yanked his shirt over his head, a relieved exhale escaping her lips when the uncomfortable tension of his bared muscles receded. When his head emerged above his collar, their eyes met. They remained like that for what seemed like an eternity, each one contemplating the other.

            “Well,” they began simultaneously. Arabella giggled awkwardly, causing River to chuckle as well.

            “You first,” she conceded, smiling.

            River grinned, clearing his throat. “Well,” he began again, “I still have to find some way to sneak back into the hospital, so…”

            “I could help with that!” Arabella offered hastily. As quickly as the words escaped her mouth, she wished to take them back. They were going to tan her hide for that one.

            “Really?” River’s brows rose skeptically. “I mean, I guess I believe you, but…how?”

            “Just walk back,” Arabella told him tentatively. “Everything will be fine when you enter the building.” His eyes glanced over her physique doubtfully, noticeably gulping while he considered her features. Arabella felt her senses continue their speedy ascent, realizing that River needed to leave so she could concentrate on controlling her body. No matter how thrilling and pleasant the familiar sensations felt, she couldn’t endanger those around her by succumbing to them. “I promise,” she finished, catching River’s gaze with her own. “Trust me.”

            He hesitated a moment longer before responding. “Alright. Don’t let me down!” He turned away and placed one foot gently on the swaying tree branch, foisting the rest of his body out when he was properly balanced on the unsteady limb. Arabella watched the scene, longing to help him safely reach the ground and knowing that she couldn’t.

            “Oh, and River?” Her voice echoed to the window without her realizing she had spoken a word. River turned his head, his hand grasping the window ledge in an effort to stay steady. Arabella looked down at her scuffling feet, unable to meet his eyes. “Thanks,” she whispered. “You know, for…”

            She didn’t need to finish the sentence. “You’re welcome,” River murmured in reply. His head ducked out of sight before quickly resurfacing. “Hey, you’re still tutoring me, right?”

            Arabella laughed at the abrupt change in subject. “Natürlich werde ich, du Spinner,” she said. “After school tomorrow? Your house or mine?”

            “Mine.” River grinned once more, melting her heart, before disappearing from sight.

            Arabella sighed dreamily, dropping down onto her bed. The image of his crystalline blue eyes was seared into her memory: that beautiful gaze that sparkled with kindness, love, and tenacity. On the walk to Bill and Marcia’s, she had scarcely torn her gaze away from his face, tracing every perfect feature over and over again. Her heart-accelerating scrutiny hadn’t been helped by his shirtless state; his fair build seemed to her even more flawless than a chiseled muscle man.