20-Crow
1179 Words
Though I heard Crow, I couldn't stop. I had to push him, had to see if the spark between us was real. I stepped closer, my chest brushing against his. "Why not?" I whispered, my voice a challenge. "Tell me why we can't be together."
For a moment, he just looked at me, his eyes a storm of emotions. Then, with a low growl, he grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me closer, his mouth crashing down on mine.
The kiss was everything I'd been craving and more. His lips were rough and demanding, his kiss a declaration of war against all the reasons why this was wrong. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair as I gave in to the passion I'd been holding back for so long.
But as our kiss deepened, a part of me knew I was playing with fire. Crow was a man who lived by his own rules, in a world where love was a luxury few could afford.
"Stop," he murmured against my lips, his voice strained. "We can't do this."
But I didn't want to stop. I wanted to keep feeling the heat of his body, the way his heart hammered against my chest. "Why?" I breathed, my voice shaky. "Why can't we just...have this?"
He stepped back, his eyes searching mine. "Because you deserve better than me, Oce. Better than this life."
The words stung, but I refused to let him go. "You don't get to decide that for me," I said, my voice firm.
Crow looked away, his jaw clenched. "You don't know what you're getting into," he warned.
I stepped closer, my hand on his chest. "I'm not asking for promises, Crow," I said. "Just...give us a chance."
For a moment, he remained still, his eyes closed as if in pain. Then, with a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul, he opened his eyes and met my gaze. "No," he said, his voice ragged.
The door to the kitchen banged open and Leo’s sleepy voice called out, “Oce?”
Crow gave me one last lingering look before turning to leave, leaving me to wonder what could have been.
With one final glance at Crow's retreating figure, I called out, “Coming, buddy!”
That evening, as Crow and Rouger were discussing plans in hushed tones in the living room, Mel pulled me aside. "Look, I know you're confused," she said, her eyes searching mine. "But you can't ignore what's happening."
"What's happening?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even.
"You and Dad," she replied, her voice low. "There's something between you."
"There's nothing between us," I insisted, maybe more for myself than for her.
Mel sighed. "Oce, I'm not stupid. I see the way you look at him too. But you can't let it get in the way of what's important."
"And what's that?"
"Leo," she said firmly. "You need to focus on keeping him safe. That's what really matters."
Her words hit home, and I nodded, knowing she was right. "I will," I said, my voice resolute. "I'll always put Leo first."
Mel gave me a small smile. "That's all I ask."
We sat in silence for a moment before she spoke again. "You know, Oce, Dad's not a bad guy. He's just..."
"I know," I said, cutting her off. "He's just intense."
~~
That night, I returned to work at the bar, the neon lights casting a garish glow over the faces of the regulars. The place was full of laughter, the clink of glasses, and the occasional growl of a motorcycle engine. As I stepped behind the counter, the familiar scent of stale beer and leather enveloped me.
"Welcome back, darlin'," Rouger drawled, slapping a damp towel in my hand. "Missed you."
I couldn't help but smile at his teasing. Despite the danger, the banter between us had always had a way of making me feel like I belonged. "Thanks," I said, tossing the towel over my shoulder. "Let's get to it."
As the night wore on, I felt myself tensing up every time the door opened and my heart would skip a beat, expecting to see the Serpents storm in, looking for a fight. And every time, I'd run to check on Leo.
But as the hours passed, the only interruption was the occasional rowdy patron who had to be handled.
As I was returning from serving a round of drinks to the regulars, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I spun around to find Crow, his eyes dark and intense. "Take a break," he said, his voice a low rumble.
I nodded, setting the tray down, and followed him out back to the alley. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the bar.
"What's going on?" I asked, my nerves jangling.
He didn't say anything at first, just stared at me for a long moment before speaking. "I caught you," he said, his voice a low rumble.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
Crow stepped closer, his hand reaching up to cup my cheek. "Looking at me the way you do. Like you want to devour me."
I swallowed hard, my breath coming in ragged gasps. "I...I don't know what you're talking about."
But I did know. I had been trying to ignore it, to keep my feelings buried, but it was like trying to hold back a hurricane with a paper umbrella.
"Don't lie to me, Oceano," he murmured, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. Then, before I could protest, before I could push him away, his lips were on mine, hot and demanding, stealing the very breath from my lungs.
My hands found their way to his leather jacket, pulling him closer, as if I could somehow meld our bodies together and make this moment last forever. But reality crashed back down on me, when pushing me a way, Crow growled. "That's going to have to be a memory for both of us." Afterward, silent, he pulled me back inside the bar and walked away.
For the rest of the night, I couldn't shake off the taste of him, the feel of his hands, the scent of his leather jacket. The air between us was charged, and every time our eyes met, it was like lightning struck.
Mel shot me concerned looks. "You okay?" she mouthed from across the bar.
I nodded, trying to focus on my work. But every time the door opened, my heart hammered in my chest, expecting the worst. The night dragged on, a mix of fear and desire making my head spin.
Finally, closing time approached, and the last patrons stumbled out into the night. I breathed a sigh of relief, ready to get home and try to make sense of my tangled emotions. But as I reached for my jacket, Rouger's hand on my arm stopped me.
"Crow wants to see you in his office," he said, his eyes serious.
- Writer
