Burned

Chapter Nine

     “You…You…You…”

     “Yeah,” she replied softly, hugging herself tightly as she moved from the door way, shutting it behind her carefully before she sat on my couch. “That was what I though too.”

     “What the Hell?!”

     She laughed. It was a light, shimmering sound that echoed through the entire room and filled me with the strangest sense of peace and joy as she leaned back into the couch. The pale blue dress she’d been wearing in Acheron was draped lazily on her body, spilling over the cushions and shimmering like its own river.

     But it was the girl inside the gown that drew my attention more.

     “I thought that too,” she said with a smile. The smile fell away and she stood, crossing to me and jabbing her finger into my chest. “Look here. You and I have a score to settle. I still have a bone to pick with you about you dragging me from here to kingdom come! Don’t think I’m letting that go.”

     Fire ignited where she touched, encompassing my heart and drawing all thought from my body as I stared down at her. I heard her speak, saw her lips moving, but my brain couldn’t comprehend the fact that she was here.

     She was alive.

     My hands closed around her wrists, fire igniting beneath my palms where our skin touched and I met her gaze fully, unwavering. I heard the slightest of gasps and felt her tug lightly on her wrists but she didn’t try much harder to flee.

     “Jack?” she whispered, her gaze darting from side to side in search of an escape. I’d be damned if I let her go again. “Let me go, you ass! I came here to talk, not to get molested!”

     My lips twitched at the corners, a smile threatening to break through. This was her alright. Whenever she was threatened she would try to come back strong and powerful and pretend that she was above the other person—to prove she wasn’t afraid.

     “I’m not letting go this time,” I whispered, pressing closer until our noses brushed, eyes locked. “Not this time and not any time soon or ever again.”

     My lips met hers and it was an explosion of light and warmth and color. Color splashed out, painting my world in vibrant reds and oranges that circled around us. A fire blazed where we touched, growing hotter and hotter as our lips moved together. Light blinded all avenues of thought as I released her wrists to wrap my arms around her waist and press her closer.

     Clarity’s hands tangled in my hair, pressing my lips firmly to her own as she kissed me desperately. There was no other way to describe how we touched or kissed or simply felt.

     It was everything and too much while being nothing and not enough. It was every contradiction possible before it was turned it on its head. It made the world ignite and spiral like a thousand dazzling lights.

     “Upstairs,” she said thickly, her eyes darkening over as they met my own. “Jack.”

     My name on her lips sent me into over drive as I lifted her. Her legs went around my own automatically and I found myself panting at the close contact as I carried her to my bedroom. I couldn’t think—could barely breathe—as we collapsed on the bed, my body above her own.

     Her soft hands trailed down my front, long fingers slipping beneath the hem before she began pulling it up. Her knuckles brushed my skin every now and then and each touch set the skin aflame to the point that I was trembling by the time the shirt finally hit the floor.

     I slid my hand beneath her dress, cupping her thigh while the other drug her down by her hips so I could kiss her a bit more easily. Her hands around my sides to cup my back and I let out a harsh breath at the feel.

     Aching. Burning. I couldn’t decide if I liked it or not.

     Her fingers tightened against my back, nails digging in as my hand moved from her thigh to her back and pressed her body fully against my own. She let out a soft noise and I smiled up at her as her head fell back a bit, eyes dazed.

     “Jack.”

     “Clarity.”

     I pressed back down into her, hands seeking while they glided over her body as my lips met hers again. Her hands moved to the back of my head, hips arching as our tongues met.

     I was feverish. Every inch of me was on fire and her wetness soaking my hands seemed to be a fire all its own. It was taking everything I had not to dive in a feast on her. It was even harder to not thrust into her right then.

     We were a rush of tangled limbs, fingers slipping and sliding in our haste and desperation. It wasn’t long before I’d discarded her dress completely and the rest of my clothing was joined with hers on the floor.

     I slid an arm around her waist, lifting her close once again. My lips met hers again as my free hand cupped her breast, sliding over her nipple. The bud hardened beneath my touch and trailed my lips down her neck, pausing at her moan when I hit a certain part of her throat.

     My lips fasted on the sensitive spot, tongue digging in slightly as I suckled. She let out a cry, her body squirming and writhing and I held her tighter, releasing her breast to hold her head still as I suckled.

     Her cries grew louder, more impatient at the touch and I broke away finally, leaving a slight red mark in place. Her body fell limp.

     I couldn’t wait any longer. I had waited long enough and she was ready—I could tell. The hunger in her eyes was palpable and the way she licked her lips as her gaze traveled down my body was all consuming. And her kiss…I was drowning.

     Drowning.

     My eyes opened hazily as I broke the kiss. Her lips were parted, a faint blush against her cheeks while her eyes were closed in bliss. Her hands were trembling against my sides. Rather, her body was trembling against my own.

     I smoothed her hair down, offering her a smile when her beautiful violet gaze found my own red one. Her lips lifted a bit in the corners in the faintest of smiles.

     My hands smoothed along her soft skin, the feeling returned to a drowning sensation as my lips brushed hers gently. The touch filled me with utter contentment and I found myself craving to be closer to her—to kiss and touch her more.

     Clarity’s hands brushed against my chest, reaching, and I held her tightly, my heart overfilling with one single emotion. One emotion that I couldn’t deny any longer—wouldn’t deny any longer.

     “I love you.”