Page 57 of Running Winter

Rayna.

I opened the door, my eyes meeting hers as I shook my head.

Three months and she was still as beautiful as ever.

I'd missed her, but life wasn't exactly horrific without her.

Funnily enough, I'd realized exactly how much I'd built her up in my mind to be the ultimate girl when in reality, there were probably loads more just like her.

"Hi. Um, can I come in?"

I moved back to allow her to come in, my eyes scanning the street behind her, noticing my Mom’s car had gone.

"You don't text me anymore, and we never hang out," Rayna said, her lower lip trembling. Her hair was down, and she wore a tight sweater and jeans for a change. It suited her.

"Yeah, I think we kinda died out after you rejected me for a lifestyle of debauchery." I smiled, hoping she knew I wasn't angry anymore.

"Yeah, about that. I'm sorry, I didn't even give us a chance, but you know...you're almost too perfect. I need a guy with flaws."

I nodded before shrugging.

"So why are you here now?"

"Because I miss my best friend. I don't want us to lose our friendship."

I sighed, leaning on the kitchen counter that faced her.

I loved Rayna so much, I was convinced we would be amazing together. The fact that she wanted to experiment and live a different life shouldn't be enough to sever our friendship, but I just couldn't go back to how things were.

"We can still hang out, Rayna. I'm just busy."

"Doing what?"

"Well, tomorrow I'm flying to UCLA. I'm going to check the place out."

Her eyes flashed with hurt, and she moved towards me, holding her arms out. I hesitated but soon pulled her into my arms as she squeezed me tight.

"I'm sorry for what I said about the Fallon fairytale. You deserve it."

Rayna moved backward, but I stopped her, her face close to mine.

"Fuck the Fallon fairy tale," I muttered, gathering her hair in my hand before dipping my head towards hers. "I have flaws, Rayna. Sometimes I don't know when to give up."

I pressed my lips against hers then, and to my surprise, she didn't resist. She tasted sweet, and I couldn't help but want more. My tongue pushed into her mouth when she gasped, and I pressed her body against mine.

Her hands were around my neck now, and she was fucking eager.

I lifted her without thinking, so she sat on the kitchen counter. We broke apart briefly, and our eyes met again.

"Fuck," she whispered before dragging me back towards her, wrapping her legs around my waist as she did.

The kiss was still as urgent as before, but this had a more primitive need to it, and I moved my mouth from hers, dragging my lips down her throat. My fingers were unbuttoning her shirt, and she was moaning beneath me.

"We need to take this to my room," I whispered as she nodded.

I lifted her down, and she led the way.

I followed her up, my eyes on her ass the entire time. We barely made it through the door when I slammed her up against it, my mouth buried in her neck as she tried to lift my top. Wordlessly, I tugged it off, and she inhaled sharply.

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