The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

17.

Chance shifted the car in reverse before pulling off. He looked over his shoulder at her. 

His hand shot across them taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "You shouldn't do that you know. You'll bite right through your lip."

He released her and Maia finally felt like she could breathe. "I'll be fine," She said in a breathless rush. Her eyes stayed focused as the world flew by her window.

When they stopped at a light, Chance turned in his seat with his eyes fixed on her. The tactlessness of it grew heavy on her nerves.

When she could take no more she turned to him and screamed, "What?"

He gave a pinched looked as he asked, "Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Treating me like a person."

The statement both stunned and embarrassed her, "I don't know what you're talking about." Maia shifted uncomfortably in her seat to face forward. 

A steady swell of heat grew along her side and she knew her powers were returning.

Chance faced the road again. Irritation evident in his tone and posture, "I mean, at first, I was like your worst fucking enemy. I'm guessing we got off on the wrong foot or I drew the short straw because you hit it off pretty well with Miles." 

As he spoke he gestured with one hand, "Then, I was literally persona non grata. You basically acted like I didn't exist. Now that you and Miles are a thing. And you want to be in your man's good graces, suddenly I have value." A wrinkle formed between his brows as he spoke. His lips set to a thin line and his shoulders tensed.

"Miles and I aren't a thing! And it wasn't like that...It isn't like that." Maia's folded her arms across her chest. She was ready to end this conversation.

As Chance pulled into her driveway, the rain began to fall. "So what it is like Maia? Because you're mood swings so Goddamn much that I'm getting whiplash."

"I don't have time for this." Maia opened the door jumping from the vehicle. But, before she could make it ten feet Chance was in front of her.

"You don't get to run away from this Maia and I won't let you." The rain fell harder, forcing him to nearly shout over the sound.

"I'm not running away from anything Chance. There is nothing to discuss." She tried to move around him but his hand clamped around her wrist.

"Yes, there is, Maia. You know there's something between us," Chance scowled. 

Wet hair clung to his face as rain drenched him. Maia's heart beat faster. He'd never looked as handsome as he did now. Drenched clothing clung to his lean form. His sharp green eyes piercing through the darkness. 

She had to use every ounce of her willpower to keep from throwing herself at him. She wondered if he knew how crazy he made her. How her teeth sat on edge every time he was around. How he always moved her to lust or anger.

Right now all she could feel was lust. She had to get away, "Like there is between you and Aswen?" 

His face fell with a pang of guilt.

She rolled her eyes, "Let me go, Chance."

When she tried to leave again, "Wait. Maia..." He panted softly through open lips.

"Chance, this is pointless. Let me go," She said weakly. 

Their eyes met as thunder rolled overhead. Lightening electrified the afternoon sky, crackling above them. Chance's hand tightened around her wrist. Something about his demeanor shifted. His look became more intense the longer his eyes lingered on her. And no matter how much she wanted to she couldn't look away.

"No," He answered, tugging her against his chest. "I won't let you go." 

Standing toe to toe, Maia was no longer bothered by the cold but neither was Chance. Time seemed to slow and everything around them melted away to a blur as he wrapped his hand around the small of her back bringing her flush to him. 

"I don't think I ever could," He breathed against her lips.

He leaned forward, gently pushing the wet hair from her face. His lips inched forward with agonizing slowness before pressing against hers. Tasting the cold droplets on her lips at first. Then delved deeper to taste her essence as she opened for him. His hands cupped around her face. Her own slid around his waist.

Instead of distracting from the intensity of the moment, her powers ignited, bringing the moment to new heights. Chance pushed his lips first, then his body, more firmly against her. The wave that ran through Maia was intoxicating. Her head swam, as she pulled back to gaze at his beautiful face. 

"Woah," He said in a voice full of amazement. His eyes focused above them. The raindrops seemed suspended in time. 

Each drop frozen in midair. Maia looked around, it wasn't just the rain. Time had stopped for everything and everyone but them. 

"What's going on Maia?" Chance questioned touching a suspended raindrop. In a sudden rush, they all came pouring down as time resumed its normal course. 

"Shut up and Come on!" Maia screamed as they ran inside in a vain attempt to cover their heads from the pelting rain. Maia wondered how the hell she would get out of this one.