The Rainbow at the end of my storm

•9•

Hot air moved across my cheeks as his lips hover above my mouth. I didn't know what I was doing, it wasn't what I wanted, yet it was. I let his lips touch mine in a delicate, soft caress, moaning at the new sensation his lips bring to me. A rush of excitement filled me, blocking the endless thoughts telling me I shouldn't, as I pulled his face closer. My hands gripped his dark hair, it was thick, tousled and silky, slipping between my fingers. I gripped tighter as his left hand slid down to my waist; he held me tight like a possessive animal about to lose its prey. Tingles escalated through my body where he touched. I was on fire. No one had made me feel this alive before, my whole body was ignited.

He tasted of beer and mint, just as I expected. I basked in every little thing I tasted, smelt and felt associated with Mason Leighway.

His tongue explored my mouth in a seductive dance, occasionally touching my own. He swiped it across my lower lip, nipping and biting as he travelled towards my neck. He placed tiny kisses across my jaw beforehand, still using that phenomenal tongue of his to make my knees weak. Excitement and pleasure became too much, and I longed for added friction; grinding against the tightness in the front of his jeans.

"Victoria? Where did you go?"

Bree's voice knocked us away from each other, him almost falling backwards and I collapsed against the tree. He looked at me, dark eyes narrowed, and left in the opposite direction. I was still collapsed against the tree trunk when Bree came into view.

"Hey! They you are! I was looking for you" she came closer. "Are you okay?"

I straightened, hoping to god my lipgloss wasn't too smudged, and told her I was just on the phone to my mom.

"Oh, is she okay?" She asked, pulling me back towards the bonfire.

"Yeah, she's great" I felt myself heating up as we got closer, and it had nothing to do with the huge fire in the middle. He'd left quicker than a race car, bolting through the woods. I understood him not wanting to be caught, I panicked too, but embarrassment still flooded my whole body. What was he thinking? Did he regret it?

I questioned his state of mind, how he was feeling and what possessed him in the first place to even lay his lips on mine, but then I had to question my own. I didn't want this. I wanted to avoid boys altogether, despite what mom said to me - and it definitely had nothing to do with dads warning - I was too afraid. So why did I fall into him, encourage him? I was a mess.

"You drank too much? Or are you just not with it tonight?" Bree laughed as she waved a hand in my face. I'd zoned out.

"What? Oh, no. I'm fine"

I gazed round the bonfire, trying not to make it obvious I was searching for someone, and failed to notice Mason. He'd disappeared. Embarrassment was evidently clinging to my insides as I felt my cheeks heat. What a fool. I'd kissed the one person I wanted to stay away from, and he'd ran. I felt stupid.

"Maybe I'll go" I blurted, not thinking. Did I want to go? Did I want to let him get to me? Why was he getting to me so much?

"Is everything okay?" Bree looked concerned as her eyes scanned over my face.

"Yeah, I'm just a little tired actually. I'll call an Uber" I pulled my phone out to find the app.

"No," she placed her hand over mine. "I'll ask Mason, he drove so he probably hasn't drank-"

"No! It's okay. He's not even here anymore, look" I gestured round the bonfire and she looked for herself.

"Oh yeah, he must have left. Are you sure you're okay leaving alone?"

I nodded, "I'll be fine."

"Okay, well, stay safe."

I made my way through the woods, traipsing past each tree trunk and trying not to slip on the wet mud or stray twigs. To say I wasn't a little scared would be a lie, it was pitch black and every little sound made my body jump. Why didn't I just stay? I rolled my eyes at myself, stupid and pathetic for letting a boy get to me.

"You know, you shouldn't be walking through the woods on your own?"