Stormy night

Just gonna stand there and watch me hurt

Amy’s POV

“Oh my gosh! Something is wrong!” He looked as if someone had just smacked him right where it counted with a frying pan. I hopped to my feet, scared to death. “Oh, Shadow, are you sick?”

“I…”

I pressed a hand gently to his forehead, placed my other one at his wrist to check his pulse. It was going haywire, but there wasn’t a fever. That was a relief.

“I…”

This was his second time trying to speak. I looked into his dazed eyes, wondering what could possibly be wrong. “You what?”

“I…Move.”

“But--”

“Move!” I dropped my hands, hurt by the sharpness in his voice.

But I recovered quickly. How dare he? I was only trying to help, after all! He didn’t have to shout! “Fine! But I was only trying to help!”

I turned in a huff to leave, but he snagged my arm. “Amy…Wait.”

I glared, prepared to tell him just what he could do with that request. But there was something in his eyes. “What is it?” I murmured.

He stood slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. They were unreadable yet… my heart skipped a beat as my anger was fully replaced with a curious excitement that coursed through me like lightning. Was he going to kiss me again? I shivered in anticipation as his hands rested on my hips, drawing me closer with the slightest encouragement.

Our bodies brushed, our lips a breath apart. I didn’t know what was going through his mind, but he stilled, tensed. As he started to step away, I went with impulse and closed the distance.

For the second time, power rocked through me. The muscles in my legs went to jelly and they buckled. His fingers dug into my waist, pressing me tightly against him. But I didn’t feel their bite, only him.

The heat, that slightly desperate punch that left me with no choice but to give. Whatever he wanted, whatever it was he needed I would find some way to get for him. When I was hiked up to my toes, we were pressed center to center, heat to heat. My gasp was swallowed by him and I could hardly stand all the emotion that poured from him.

My arms tightened around him, bringing him impossible closer. What could this be? The simplicity of a kiss had been thrown into a spiraling chaos of wants, needs, and something deeper. It was just out of my reach, but so close. There was so much in this kiss, I wonder if it could still be labeled as one.

When I thought I would burst from it all, my head fell back, breaking apart from him. His eyes were filled with everything the kiss had held. Desire, need, and…that something extra. But what could it be?

But even as I studied the red depths, they clouded with unmistakable shame. He set me down, but I refused to let him step back. “Why do you regret that?” I whispered. I knew he still wanted me, but… I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, still able to taste him. Could that desire possibly be one-sided?

“I don’t,” he answered. His body was tense again and there was… Could that be panic I saw in his eyes now? Strange. I had never noticed how expressive his eyes were before.

“Don’t lie to me, Shadow. Please.”

His eyes darkened. “I refuse to take advantage of this situation. Let go of me.”

I only tightened my hold, rising up to my toes slowly. It was a purely provocative gesture and I knew it. Still, I was fascinated when panic danced in his eyes again. “Advantage of what situation?”

“Damn it, Amy.” He began looking around anxiously, desperation mixing with the panic. “Release me now. I mean it.”

“You’re afraid,” I realized.

His eyes zeroed in on mine and he looked like his regular self again: bad ass and aloof. “What?”

But he hadn’t fooled me. I knew I was right. “You are afraid!” I laughed, giving him a smacking kiss. “Is it me you’re scared of?”

A single brow lifted. “Is that a joke?”

I stuck my tongue out at him, thinking quickly. “I know you’re frightened of something though…” I wetted my lips, enthralled when his eyes followed the gesture. The desire that flared in them was quickly banked, but I noticed it.

I pursed my lips, thinking. “Damn it, Amy! Stop being…”

I cockled my head, confused. “Stop being what?”

He looked away. “Nothing…”

“I am not nothing!”

He looked back sharply, his fingers digging into my hips once again. “No, you’re not.”

Then I realized it. “You have feelings for me!” The panic returned to his expression. Pleased at myself, I beamed at him. “So what are they?”

“Not everyone expresses emotion as easily as you,” he retorted. I pouted. “Oh dear God,” he muttered, staring at my mouth. Shadow finally slid from my hold and bolted from the room.

Curious about his reaction, I followed the trail of dust he’d kicked up, still pouting. My heart thumped painfully in my chest when I got to the top of the stairs. He had his now-dry cloak on and his hand on the doorknob.

“If you run you’re no better than he is.”

Even from where I was I could see his hand clench. We both knew who “he” was. “That was uncalled for, Amy.” He looked up, furious. “And completely out of line.”

“I know,” I whispered. “I know, but it kept you from leaving.”

“I still can.” He looked away to glare at the door. “I should go. It would be easier if I left.”

“I don’t understand. Easier to do what?”

“It would be easier to resist you,” he admitted after a long pause.

“Oh…but…” I fisted a hand loosely, brought it to my chest. “Why would you have any trouble resisting me? I’m not anything important…”

My back was against the wall almost before the words were out of my mouth, his hands digging into my sides. I felt it this time and it hurt. “Don’t you ever say that about yourself again.” His eyes seared mine, barely restrained anger burning in them.

“Shadow…Shadow, let me go. You’re hurting me.”

Instantly he released his hold, fisting his hands at his sides. “Damn it all…I’ll apologize for that…I…” He shook his head, taking a step back. “I have to get away from you so I can think.”

He had the front door open before I could even think of a response. “It stopped raining,” I realized.

“Indeed.” He looked up at me. “I suppose I should take you home now.”

“No!” I took a hold of the banister. “Not yet. Please?”

He frowned. “Why the devil not?”

“Umm…” I only wanted to stay because I wanted to be close to him, but I doubted he would accept that answer. So what else could I… Oh! “I still haven’t figured out that maze!”

He only rolled his eyes. “Be sensible, will you? I still haven’t figured that damn thing out yet.”

This discouraged me a bit, but I really just wanted to stay. “Maybe… Maybe we could do it together?”