Page 51 of Graves

With Nahla, it’s different. She can hold me while we watch a movie, but it’s not the kind of closeness I crave.

My pulse speeds up again. The walls I’ve built around myself for the past year harden. Sometimes they’re thin and transparent like glass, but when fear spreads inside me, they become impenetrable like prison walls.

The way Aran touches me—so gentle and careful, like I might shatter like the pitcher—surprises me. He could have let go by now, but he doesn’t. His thumb strokes the back of my hand, tracing my wrists like they’re precious artifacts.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask.

“Sorry, I’m not the monster you want me to be,” he says with a genuinely charming smile.

I drop my head again and sniff. “You know, I… I didn’t push you away because you’re a murderer.”

“But I am.”

“I was scared of doing something wrong,” I admit.

“You don’t have to justify yourself to me. I was drunk and…” Aran studies me for a while, tilting his head as he exhales. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

My body reacts before I can make sense of it. I don’t know if I’m hot or cold. His words feel like magic. They loosen the tension in my muscles and I’m overcome with the overwhelming urge to kiss him.

The moment stretches. The charge between us becomes almost tangible. But I can feel Aran holding back. He probably doesn’t want to push me again—especially now, when all I want is to feel his lips on mine.

“W-would you…” My voice cracks. I clear my throat. “Would you kiss me again?”

“If I’m allowed?”

I nod and drown in his beautiful eyes.

My whole body reacts as Aran steps closer and leans in slightly. Then something happens I didn’t expect from myself. I meet him halfway, like I can’t wait to taste his soft lips.

Of all days, I didn’t bother shaving. But how could I have known the day would take this turn?

The moment our lips meet, my stubble is the least of my problems. A spark shoots through my body and it feels like the first real kiss of my life.

I greedily breathe in Aran’s warm breath and let his woody, sandalwood scent lull me.

“Oh fuck,” he mutters between kisses, pressing against me. “What is it about you that turns me on so much?”

I wanted to ask him the same thing.

The man makes me weak!

His lean body is undeniably sexy, and he knows how to use that sex appeal—not just on stage. His smile is powerful too. While he played the arrogant rockstar at the concert, I have to admit this smile is genuine. It even seems almost shy as he draws back from my lips and looks at me.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

My heart is racing because I honestly can’t remember Luke ever asking me that. With him, I was constantly full of mistakes.

I stand there with my mouth open, stunned by the effect Aran has on me. I laugh at myself—at the nervous wreck I was just moments ago and at the demons that scattered into the shadows like they’ve been blinded by light the second Aran appeared.

“How far are you willing to go?” I ask, voice trembling.

“Now?” Aran widens his eyes, caught off guard.

“Show me.”

My voice is barely a whisper, instantly captured by Aran’s lips. He pushes me back until I’m against the fridge, and I welcome his tongue with eager anticipation.

I circle mine around his and nudge the tip. Hot breath escapes me, and before my knees give out, I cling to Aran.