The Mighty Storm (Raura Revised)

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

I wind my fingers around his neck, up into his hair, kissing him harder, pushing myself into him, into this kiss, trying to ignite the fire I feel in my belly whenever Ross kisses me. Whenever Ross looks at me.

But it doesn't come.

Was it always missing? Or is it because of Ross. Am I done for life now? Will I never again feel with anyone, how I feel when I'm with him. When he's touching me, kissing me, making love to me.

Am I ruined to him?

I break off breathing heavy. Will's eyes are hooded, alive with love for me.

But all I feel is lost and confused and lonely.

And in this exact moment, I realise that I don't want simple. I want Ross in all his crazy complicatedness.

I do love Will, but I love Ross more.

It's always been him my whole life. And I don't want to lose him. He's my best friend. My everything.

I have to talk to him. I need to tell him that I don't care about the redhead. I don't care about any of it. All the mistakes we've both made. We can start fresh from now.

I'll tell Will everything, right now, if that's what he wants. I'll do whatever he wants me to do. Because I love him.

Totally and completely love him. I always have. And I can't imagine another moment in my life with him not in it.

I glance to where Ross was at the bar, but he's nowhere to be seen.

Where is he?

"I'm tired," I say to Will. "You mind if we sit?"

I need to find Ross.

"No, come on." Will puts his arm around my shoulder and steers me back to our table. "We can leave soon if you'd like?"

"Yes, that would be good."

Where has Ross disappeared to?

Will smiles at me and plants a kiss on my hair.

I know I should feel terrible right now for Will, but I can't seem to muster any guilt up at all.

All I want is to see Ross.

I sit down in the chair next to Stuart, the others now filled with Simone and Denny.

She looks so totally smitten with him. It warms my heart. I want to be sitting here like that with Ross. The world knowing we belong to one another.

"I'm just going to use the bathroom," Will says. "Then we can head back if you like?"

"Sure," I say distracted. I'm just relieved he's going so I can find Ross.

When Will is gone, I take a surreptitious glance around the room, looking for Ross.

"He's gone, honey," Stuart leans across and whispers in my ear. "Dave's taken him back to the hotel."

I get this terrible, awful, sick feeling deep in my stomach.

"Did he ... go alone?"

Stuart slowly shakes his head, no.

My heart starts to compress in on itself.

I swallow down, my throat tight. "The redhead?" I have to ask, even though I'm pretty sure of the answer.

"Yes." He gives me a sad look, pats my leg with his hand, and picks up a shot off the table, handing it to me.

"Drink this, sweetheart. It won't fix things, but after a few of these, things sure do start to seem a lot easier."