Page 25 of A Silence So Divine

He doesn’t move, and I fear he’s going to take my abuse.

One hard swing clips his jaw, snapping him into action. In one swift motion, I’m in the air and then my back hits the mattress. Undeterred, my feet slice through the air as I kick blindly.

Strong hands wrap around my ankles and pull me to the edge of the bed. Forcing my legs down, Creed presses his lower body to mine to keep me still. My mind is blank as I swing and swing and swing my arms, hitting him everywhere and nowhere. The strikes are weak, and clumsy, but I can tell by his heavy breathing that his patience is wearing.

Finally, he’s able to snatch my wrists out of the air and restrain my hands against his chest. Unable to communicate, he stares me down, eyes swirling with outrage. His grip is firm, but careful, despite my outburst.

Our chests rise and fall in sync, gazes locked on one another. I don’t try to fight any further. Even if I wanted to, I’ve exhausted myself.

Once he’s confident that I’m done with my assault, he releases me. I expect him to be angry, or ask what’s wrong with me, but he doesn’t do either. No, he does something much different. Something brand new.

Gripping my cheeks roughly, he surges forward. His mouth smashes into mine. I freeze, my eyes blown wide and hands hovering in the air.

Neither of us move. We stand there, pressed together, breaths mingling. As quick as it came, it vanishes and I’m met with pools of green. Guilt is written all over him. He must worry I’ll be upset. I’m not, not really. Moreso… intrigued.

I know what kissing is, but when it comes to the feelings that coincide, I’m at a loss.

As he steps back, I step forward, slipping my fingers into the collar of his shirt and kissing him again. It’s bizarre—I don’t know whether I like it or hate it. Either way, my head spins.

All the heart fluttering I’ve dreamt of isn’t there. It isn’tbad. I love being close to Creed. But if kissing always feels this literal, I don’t quite understand the appeal.

In unison, we pull away and stare at one other. The last few minutes have taken such a turn that the corners of my lips rise. He must be thinking the same, because his expression lightens and his teeth flash. In an instant, he’s laughing hysterically and giggles shake my shoulders.

He flops onto the bed beside me as I lay back, flushed faces turned toward the ceiling.

“Weird,”he signs into the air.

“Yes.”

“That was my first kiss.”

“Me, too,”I confess, turning my head to look at him.“I’m glad it was with you.”

Creed rolls his eyes. I punch him in the shoulder.

My mind is blissfully quiet.

“Favorite color?”

“Blue, like the sky.”

“Favorite food?”

“Sugar.”

“That’s an ingredient.”

“Food with sugar.”

“Whatever. Favorite animal?”

“I like the fish in the pond.”

“Boring.”

I sit up on my elbows to sneer at Creed.“If you don’t like my answers, why do you keep asking?”

He plucks a cherry off our shared plate and pops it into his mouth. We’re sprawled out on the ornate rug in the sitting room, soaking in the warmth of the fireplace. After our fight this morning, we’ve spent the whole day together.