Page 83 of Crystal Iris
He opens the hotel room door, and I walk straight to the balcony. It’s a beautiful night; the moon and stars shine above, while the city lights twinkle below. We haven’t said a word since the club. I guess, like me, Hoyt’s wondering:what now?
“Will you try something with me?” he asks.
“I’m not into drugs,” I answer.
He laughs, his voice low. “You’re enough to make me high.”
He steps back into the room.
“Get your prism,” he tells me, returning with a glass of water.
I reach for mine and slip it around my neck.
He pulls his out of his pocket and dips it into the water, then hands me the cup to do the same.
Then he steps closer. We let the prisms touch, and, like before, they attract like magnets.
He lifts his hand, and I mirror him.
“What if it burns?” I ask.
“I’m already hurting,” he says, his voice quieter. “Staying away isn’t easy either.”
I slowly move my hand toward his.
It takes only seconds for him to realize it doesn’t hurt and for him to grab my waist and kiss me.
His lips are taking mine like they need each other to survive. I bite his lips with my teeth pulling out slowly and he winces. He progresses to swirl his tongue on the top of my mouth and we can’t have enough of each other. His hand starts to move on my body when he pulls backin pain.
“Motherfucker!” He shakes his hand, bringing it up to his mouth.
“I’m sorry, Hoyt. Are you okay?”
He looks at me with pain in his eyes.
“Are you in pain?” I ask, my voice soft.
“All worth it,” he says slowly.
I watch him, still feeling the warmth of his hands on my skin. I want to throw my prism off the balcony. I’d do anything to feel him again. I look away, unable to hide the ache inside.
“Iris.” He steps closer.
“No, Hoyt! I can’t hurt you again.”
“Will you look at me?”
I turn to face him.
“We’ll figure it out,” he says, his voice steady.
“What if?—”
“Just don’t give up on me.”
If only he knew that I could never, not before, and especially not now that I know what his touch feels like.
Hoyt insists I take the bed. We’ve been simply talking since our kiss. I can tell he’s tense about the meeting. I hope Aaron and he can be civilized together. But every time I try closing my eyes, I hear Aaron shattering the glass against his wall. I think about his clenched fists from the night I met Hoyt at the party.I’m also having a hard time forgetting about the way Hoyt kissed me. Every time I think I’ve calmed down, it all rushes back in. I roll over, trying to find a comfortable position, but the heat between us, even though we’re apart, is undeniable. I can’t sleep here. It’s around three in the morning when I leave the hotel, leaving Hoyt resting on the couch. I text him:I didn’t bring a toothbrush. Meet me after the meeting?
