He's A Monster

Operation Pucker Up

Danielle's perspective POV

I walked slowly out of the woods, feeling sharp pinches on the bottoms of my bare feet as twigs and stones pressed into my skin. The night air was cool, damp, and heavy with the smell of pine and wet earth. My bag swung lazily from my arm, thudding against my hip and thigh with each step, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet.

It was hard to hide my disappointment. Everything had been going so well—I even made him laugh. But then... he drifted away from the question, and it felt like rejection.

My chest ached. He was the only guy I'd ever really fancied, and instead of an answer, he gave me silence.

Did I say something wrong? Am I too weird? Too ugly? Am I even his type?

I shook my head, trying to silence the spiral of questions clawing at me. My heart felt raw, like every word I hadn't said was cutting into it.

God, I shouldn't have said anything. I'm so stupid.

He had been so close, close enough that I could smell him, sweet and warm, and he'd been so gentle, so patient. And I... I went and ruined it. I didn't see the tree until my forehead smacked against it. My eyes squeezed shut from the sting, breath hitching in my throat.

When I opened them again, he was there. Marshal. His dark eyes locked onto mine, his mouth parted slightly as if caught mid-thought.

Before I could move, his hands caught my wrists, pinning them above my head. My back pressed against the rough bark, his long arms caging me in place.

What's he doing? He said he'd never hurt me.

A cold breeze ghosted across my bare thighs, raising goosebumps across my skin. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught as he leaned closer, his knee sliding between my legs.

"Now it's appropriate," he murmured, voice low and husky, vibrating through my chest.

Appropriate? What is—

My thoughts shattered the instant his lips met mine.

The grip on my wrists loosened, his hands falling away, and instinctively I slid one hand up to his jaw. His nose brushed against mine as we moved together, our mouths syncing as though we had been practicing this forever.

I pulled him closer, my fingers trailing into his hair, tugging lightly at the strands. A low grunt rumbled from his throat, vibrating against my lips. I gasped when his knee shifted against me, the movement sparking a burst of heat through my body. I rose onto my toes, pressing into him again, a soft moan escaping before I could swallow it down. His mouth grew harsher against mine, his hand slipping to the small of my back, pulling me tighter to him.

When I opened my eyes, his were dark, nearly black with something that made my blood hum. He leaned his forehead against mine, both of us gasping for breath. His hand gripped the fabric of my nightgown like he was trying to ground himself.

"Goodnight, Danielle," he whispered, his breath fanning across my cheek.

My heart stuttered. "Oh, y-yeah... goodnight, Marshal."

I felt dizzy, but in the best way: the way those shallow girls at school squeal and faint over boy bands. Except this wasn't that. This was real. This was mine.

We stared at each other for a moment too long, neither wanting to leave, both knowing we had to.

He leaned down, softer this time, his smirk curling. "Goodnight, love."

"Goodnight, Marshal."

I pulled myself from the tree, turning down the path.

"Goodnight!" he called after me.

I couldn't stop my smile. "Goodnight, Marshal!" I yelled back.

"Sleep well, Danielle!"

I hugged my arms close, whispering under my breath, "Goodnight, Marshal."

"Night, love!" his voice echoed.

I laughed quietly, shaking my head. "Goodnight," I whispered again, as if it would keep him closer. 

By the time I reached my house, the thrill in my chest had dulled into a nervous thud. The sheets I had tied to sneak out were gone. The light in the living room was on.

"Shit," I hissed, sinking my toes into the damp grass.

I crept to the front door, fingers trembling as they turned the knob. The hinges creaked, a sound that made me squint as if I could will it silent.

"Young lady, you have some explaining to do."

I froze. My mother stood by the couch, my tied sheets dangling from her hands.

"Uh..." I shut the door softly behind me. "Mo--"

"Just tell me if you were safe."

Oh, god, not this again.

"Mom!" My face flushed. "I'm a virgin."

"Then what, why--"

"Mom, we kissed. That's all. I'm sorry for sneaking out, but... it was worth it."

Her cheeks turned bright red. "Go to your room."

I bit my lip, maybe pushing too far. My feet carried me upstairs slowly, until I finally collapsed onto my bed, feet dirty and cheeks burning, fingers brushing over my lips.

A smile tugged at me, no matter how hard I tried to fight it.

"Whatever," I whispered to myself, closing my eyes.

It was worth it.