boundaries | e.d

N i n e

Riley

I held my breath and strolled over to the couch, being very grateful that he was focused on the screen and not me.

As I sat next to him, his body leaned back into the cushions. "Your brother said we could use some alone time." Ethan whispered, turning on the movie at a low volume.

I looked away shyly with a soft giggle escaping my lips. A subtle smile broke out onto his face as he admired my laugh - only making me blush harder.

"I think he just wanted some alone time with Natasha." I obviously lied, picking at the couch between our bodies.

He chuckled and shifted his body to face mine completely.

"How are you feeling?" His hand reached out to hold mine, looking up at me for any sign of withdrawal.

I played with the tips of his fingers, shrugging as I reflected back to my state of boredom and guilt.

"I'm worried about everyone." I let off my chest with a shake to my head as I stared down at our hands. "I keep thinking about Louie, and everything that's been going on since him-"

"You're not the reason for any of this," He softly reassured me, pulling his hand away to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "You shouldn't blame yourself."

"I just need everyone to be okay." I looked up at him with desperation behind my words. "I'm sick to my stomach knowing you're out there protecting me."

"Riles, of course I'm protecting you." His hand reached out for my thigh, softly rubbing it.

I looked down at his comforting gesture with a smile, sighing to myself. "You're changing me." He hesitated to say.

My eyes shot back up at him widely as I opened my mouth slightly to speak, but no words come out.

"I've been thinking about what you told me that day before you left. You said I don't belong with this shit-"

"You don't." I quickly add. He lazily smiled back, nodding as if he knew I would say those exact words.

"And I finally believe that." He looked back down at his hand holding my thigh as the words left his lips.

"When I kissed you." I began to tell him, waiting for his eyes to meet mine. "I didn't know what was gonna happen to you after I left."

He looked up with interest, waiting to hear what I had to say, "Now that I know you're okay-" My voice was strained from the discomfort in the air.

I was awkward now; unprepared for his emotions towards me - especially now that I'm a walking homicide.

His eyes poured into mine with insecurities about our complicated connection. I felt myself unraveling into his mercy by the seconds. 

"You don't know what to do." He hurtfully pulled his hand away. I knew from the sound of his voice that he was beating himself up inside.

"I know that I'm not what you need Riles-" My heart pounded into my throat as I leaned forward and turned his face to kiss me.

His silence was endearing, as he leaned deeper into me with a dominating force. I suddenly gasped, taken away from the flutters in my chest.

His tongue gently touched the tip of my lips as I parted them to breathe. My mouth opened enough for him to enter, granting him the ability to massage my tongue with his.

I was compelled by the feeling he brought me when his plump lips came to a close against mine. My heart would skip multiple beats when his tongue would caress mine in the most passionately hungry way possible.