Page 9 of Omega Scarred

I shrug. "Anywhere. Everywhere. Just...away from here."

He nods, seeming to understand. "I used to feel like that too, you know. Before I found my place in the Enclave. I guess...I guess I did just sail away. It's how I came here."

"Really?" I ask, peering up at him. "You're not from Solstice Bay?"

"Nope," he says. "I was born out west, past the Badlands in Pacific City. I worked security for a crime lord out there."

"Why did you leave?" I ask.

"Same reason you want to sail away," he says. "Sense of adventure, I guess."

I smile, feeling a kinship with Fallon. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"I did," he says, his eyes locking onto mine. "And I think you will too, someday."

The intensity in his gaze sends shivers down my spine, and I realize that I'm not just attracted to his beta status or his kindness. There's something more between us, something that I can't quite put my finger on.

But I want to find out.

Before I can second guess myself, I lean in and press my lips to his.

Fallon's hands come up to cup my face, and I feel a spark of electricity between us. His kiss is gentle at first, but soon he's deepening it, his tongue slipping past my lips to explore my mouth.

I moan softly, my fingers tangling in his hair. I've never felt so alive, so connected to someone before.

It's my first kiss.

And it's perfect.

When we finally break apart, my breaths are shallow and fast. Fallon keeps hold of my chin, his thumb grazing over my cheek bone. I can't read the expression in his eyes, but I wish I could--because something about it scares me.

"We can't do this here," he says. "Anyone could see."

I swallow hard, wishing he would just kiss me again, consequences be damned. "Rafe...damn it."

Fallon chuckles. Once again, he gets a weird look in his eyes, his mouth opening like he's about to say something--but he stops himself and takes a different track.

"He's not that bad," he croaks out. "You should give him a chance."

I frown. "But what if..."

He lifts my eyes back to his. "What? Tell me."

I pull away. "It's nothing."

I wanted to tell him I want him--but I know that would be silly, and way too fast. I barely know this guy, and he's best friends and comrades with someone who's been openly pursuing me for weeks.

Someone who has control over my whole life.

This is so,somuch more complicated than I want it to be.

"You should go to bed," Fallon says. "It's late."

"And what about you?" I ask.

He gulps. "I've got...stuff to do," he says, taking a couple steps away. "I'll see you around, doll."

Then he's shoving his hands in his pockets and walking away, leaving me behind on the deck.

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