Page 108 of Ominous: Part 1
He comes closer, and it’s hard to breathe, because my pulse is just so erratic, so messy, it’s like the electrical rhythm of my heart is short-circuiting.
He doesn’t know about that. I can’t blame him for what he doesn’t know.
“I’m sorry.”
“I wanted it.”I snarl those words again, which make them sound like a lie.
Another step, and his shadow eclipses me.
Slowly, I drag my fingertips down past my hair, around to my shoulders, until I cross my arms and my nails are digging into my biceps.
I stare up at him, my heartbeat still too quick.
He reaches his hand toward me, dripping water, unfurling his fingers.
Something in his face asks for permission. He just had his hands all over me. His arms banded around me, his chest to my back as he held me under as long as he could, as long as he still had the nerve to kill me. But for this lighter touch? He wants me to consent.
I don’t nod or speak or smile. But he must see it in my eyes, what I’m screaming in my head.
Come. Fucking. Closer.
His fingertips are cold, colder than usual, thanks to the heat of the water warmed by the sun, he feels icy as clouds gather thicker overhead.
I clench my teeth, so they don’t chatter with his touch.
He rests his palm over my chest. A little lower. It’s sensual, but not sexual, the way his index finger grazes my tight nipple over my swimsuit.
After a moment of my chest heaving beneath his hand, he looks suddenly shocked.
Then… upset.
His eyes lift from my heart to my face.
“Your heartbeat…” The eye of the storm. This is it.
I can’t do anything except stare as water drips from his lashes, rendering them thicker than usual, a few clumped together.
He steps closer.
His hand is perfectly still against my skin.
“You know those things we text about, we don’t really have to do them. If you want to keep them a fantasy, it’s okay, Eden, just tell me you’re not ready for—”
“Stop. Stop this shit you’re doing. Stop trying to make me backtrack.I did want it.”Petulant, childish; Reece would smile at the way I lose this, and it is a loss. Everything between me and Eli is a competition even as we pretend to be on the same team. I’m not sure what we’ll win at the end. Maybe we’ll carry one of those fucking fantasies through before this is all over. Maybe we’ll make it real. Maybe he won’t miss me at all.
“Eden. Are you… Are you scared of me?”
“No.” It’s the truth right now. I’m scared of my feelings for him. But him? Now I can breathe again? No.I’m sickeningly grateful for you and I don’t know why.
“How long?” I ask him, and he looks momentarily confused. It’s endearing, the draw of his brows, the pucker of his lips.
I glance at the stopwatch, flipped so the screen is away from me, dangling from his chest.
He follows my gaze and reaches for it quickly, righting it. He shows me the time, stopping it.
Close to three minutes, but we’ve been above the surface for long seconds now.
“Are you mad at me?”
