Chapter 15
711 Words
Sara Michaels
I closed the door behind me very softly so Mom wouldn’t wake up again. My back pressed against the wood for a second. Breathing felt heavy. Too heavy.
The hallway lights were too bright and my eyes still burned from crying. I wiped my face with both sleeves even though I knew it was useless. The tears had already left marks.
Kingsley was still leaning on the wall opposite the door with his arms crossed and head slightly tilted back like he was resting but the moment I stepped out his eyes opened. Straight to me. No questions or pity words. Just that quiet look he always gave.
I walked toward him slowly. My legs felt like they belonged to someone else.
He pushed off the wall when I got close, he didn’t say anything at first. Just fell into step beside me like it was the most natural thing.
We walked down the corridor in silence. My sneakers squeaked on the shiny floor. His shoes made almost no sound.
I kept my arms wrapped around myself even though I was wearing his jacket. It still smelled like him....he was clean, warm, something woody. I pulled it tighter.
When we reached the elevator I pressed the button. The doors opened right away. We stepped in. The ride down was quiet too. I stared at the numbers counting backward. He stared at me...I could feel it.
Outside the air was colder than before. Darker. Streetlights flickered weak yellow. I shivered even with the jacket.
He opened the passenger door for me without asking.
I slid in.
He got in the driver side and started the engine. But he didn’t pull out right away.
“Where to?” he asked quietly.
“Back to the academy,” I said. “My car is still there.”
He nodded once and put the car in drive.
The streets were almost empty. City lights blurred past the window. I kept my hands in my lap. Fingers twisting the edge of his jacket sleeve.
I didn’t want to talk.
But the silence felt too loud.
“I’m sorry,” I said suddenly. Voice small.
He glanced at me. “For what?”
“For… for making you wait. I am sure you had somewhere to be...”
He shook his head slow. “You don’t have to apologize for that, I have all the time in the world...for you, Sara.”
I looked down at my hands. “I just… I didn’t want you to see that part. The weak part.”
“You’re not weak.” His voice was low. Steady. “You’re carrying more than most people could. That’s not weak. That’s being strong.”
My throat closed again. I blinked fast.
We drove the rest of the way without talking.
When we pulled into the academy parking lot my little car sat alone under the single lamp. Lonely. Like it had been waiting.
He parked beside it and turned off the engine.
There was silence again.
I reached for the door handle. Then stopped and looked at him.
He was already looking at me when our eyes met.
Before I could stop it ..I leaned first....just a little.
He met me halfway and then our lips brushed.
The kiss was electric, soft and deeper by the second. I moaned in between, letting out all my frustration and whatever my heart felt at the moment.
His hand came up slow and cupped my cheeks. His thumb stroked my skin like I was something breakable.
I sighed into his mouth.
He tasted like coffee and mint and something I couldn’t name.
The kiss stayed slow and gentle with no rush. Just… feeling every inch of each other's mouths.
My fingers curled into his shirt.
His slid into my hair.
We broke apart when we needed air.
Foreheads pressed together breathing hard.
I kept my eyes closed. “I shouldn’t have done that,” I whispered.
His thumb brushed my bottom lip. “You didn’t do it alone. I kissed back.”
I opened my eyes.
His were dark and lustful. Like he had been dying for a moment like this.
“I’m still married,” I said. Voice cracking.
“I know.”
- Writer
