Benjamin Reed
The hallway still smelled like copper and wet fur.
Olivia’s tears had soaked through my torn shirt in seconds hot and silent,
They were soaking straight into my skin like they belonged there. I held her tighter than I should have, one arm locked around her waist, the other cradling the back of her head so she couldn’t pull away even if she wanted to.
Her heartbeat thundered against my chest, fast and uneven, matching the frantic rhythm of mine.
I didn’t let go, not even when Mendoza rose slowly, like every inch cost him something...and walked into the nearest room without a word.
I didn’t care who saw.
My lips still burned from the kiss shortly, tasting of salt and relief and everything I hadn’t said. Her mouth had trembled under mine before she kissed me back, hesit
