Page 3 of Dissent

That did it.

My whole life, my parents worked to make me feel like scum. To hear Chase say Ideservedbetter caused my heart to ache. My chest tightened again, and the lump in my throat grew as another few tears rolled down my face. “Please don’t… I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

He grimaced, drawing a hand up to wipe my tears away. “You know, you’re beautiful.”

I sniffed again, but smiled as my cheeks reddened. “Stop. You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

He leaned down toward me, bumping his nose gently against my own. “Yes,andit’s the truth.” He placed a delicate kiss on my cheekbone, then another on my jawline, and a third at the corner of my lips.

Heat flourished within me as my chest swelled with breath. We were still new to each other. It had taken him months of pushing before I dared to let him in, thinking that I would just keep him at arm’s length. But I quickly discovered that Chase had no intention of staying that far away from me. Each day, he grew bolder, more determined, more…handsy. And in the beginning, I slapped him, but he didn’t give up easily. Now, here I was, practically aching for him to kiss me, to touch meeverywhere.

I tipped my face toward him, giving him the perfect opportunity, mentally begging him to take it. Under hooded eyes, he looked into mine before casting his gaze downward toward my lips. My heart thundered in its cage. I knew this was wrong. I knew it was prohibited to get involved with someone without the Council’s approval—withoutRaúl’sapproval. But I had never experienced such a deep want and desire inside of myself before. And I desperately wanted to feelwanted.

Chase’s eyes swept back up to mine before gazing down at my lips once again. I could see his hesitation, his own desires, and his better judgment warring within him.

Just do it… Kiss me.

And then he leaned in, coming closer. It took everything within me to keep from shifting toward him to close the gap. I closed my eyes, tipping my chin upward, preparing myself to receive my first kiss.

2: Dissent. Resist. Rise.

Chaseloweredhislipsto mine—the briefest brush. The excitement that welled up within me was something fierce. My hands drew upwards around his neck, pulling him down towards me. But as quickly as it began, it was over. He pulled back. It was never anything more than a graze.

Disappointment washed over me as I opened my eyes. I was hoping for so much more. At least, I assumed it would be more. “Chase? Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?”

He looked at me, giving me a hesitant smile before glancing around the park. “We just have an audience, is all.”

I sat up, scanning around, and instantly understood his meaning. Telvian cameras. Privacy in Telvia wasn’t a thing, and one misstep could mean a lot of problems for a person.

“I don’t want to upset Raúl. Besides, if I’m going to get permission to be a potential match for you, I want to keep myself in his good graces.”

What? Did he seriously just say…?

My expression must have given me away, because Chase laughed before planting another kiss on my cheek. “I told you I liked you. I wouldn’t have been so stubborn about getting you to like me if I wasn’t attracted to you.”

“I don’t know,” I teased. “Are you sure it’s that you likeme? Or is it that you like my title as the First Daughter of Telvia, hmm?”

He slapped his hand to his chest, covering his heart. “Ouch! How could you think so low of me?” he bantered back before scooping my hand into his. “Last time I checked, having Raúl inspect my record that closely is something most Noble Class citizens would want to avoid. I, on the other hand, will risk it if it means I get a chance at getting to know you better.”

Everything within me tingled at his intentions. At eighteen, I would be eligible to be courted, but all potential prospects would need to apply for permission from the Council. If the Council thought the match was appropriate, we could date. And that idea lit me up from the inside out.

My skin prickled with excitement. Maybe Icouldleave that house and start a new life. Get away from all the crap that was my reality. Maybe…maybe I could actually be happy.

“Come on, I’ll walk you home.” He lifted himself up and offered me a hand. I took it, a dorky smile plastered across my face as he pulled me up and against his firm chest, the space between us disappearing. His left hand circled around my back while his right laced our fingers together. I tipped my head upward, meeting his light green eyes as my cheeks flushed.

Then we both heard it.

A scream.

We both turned toward the cry coming from across the artificial grass and within the entanglement of concrete buildings.

“Stop it! Please!” Another yell rang out. It was clearly a child. I felt Chase let me go as he took off toward it, and I followed closely behind.

“Stand still, you little maggot!”

Another scream.

We crossed the lawn in seconds, running through the street and onto the sidewalk. Chase whipped around the corner of the first building and came to an abrupt halt. I nearly ran into him, but stopped in time, feeling the momentum push me forward onto my toes before I rocked back onto my heels.

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