Page 34 of Range
I pressed my index finger against my thumb, needing to suppress the surge of emotions flowing through me.
Josiah’s feet moved in my direction. He was around the table in a flash, though moving agonizingly slow. With cuffed hands, he pushed the back of my seat forward. Comfort quickly foundme. I crossed my legs, mentally preparing to encounter his goodness again.
I closed my eyes. I needed time. I needed a breather. I needed something.
Maybe air.
Maybe a room with a bed and without cuffs.
Maybe him out of the brown state-issued uniform.
Maybehim.
I squeezed my legs together as I opened my eyes. The heat from his body radiated, confirming his closeness. He sat across the table with his elbows on top of it and his hands stretched toward me, taking up much more space than necessary. Disregarding my personal space. He had no tolerance for it.
I ground my teeth against one another as I fumbled with the folder in front of me. Josiah’s presence had catapulted me into a new world. A new place.
A new solar system.
Roaman’s words clung to me like leeches on a far-away island.
“I– I– uh.”
A hand rested on top of mine, pressing it against the files I was flipping through while temporarily blinded. I didn’t see anything. I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t know anything.
But him.
I saw him.
I heard him.
Iknewhim.
I felt him.
I peered at his hand on top of mine. Every fiber of me wanted to flip mine over, embrace his palm and feel his pulse through his skin. My line of vision trailed up his arm, chest, face, and ended at his eyes. They stared at me, lovingly, coaxing me to a quieter place.
“You’re spiraling,” he cleared his throat, “Collect yourself. I can wait.”
Just as quickly as he’d invited me in, he ripped me to shreds. Josiah removed his hand from mine.
Come back. I whimpered, internally.Please.
My nostrils widened with emotions. Something was happening within me. Something was happening between us. Things were shifting. I was beginning my first orbit.
In his solar system.
As the sun.
His sun, I foolishly considered.
Silence followed his command of my collection.
Two minutes. Two whole minutes of quietness.
His patience was apparent. He was prepared, but it was my preparation he was in pursuit of. The consideration left me gutted, but in the best way. My eyes burned with tears.
“Uh um.” I cleared my throat, forcing them away. “I was appointed to represent you in uh– I–”
