Read night shade :: part 5 of chapter 1

I scrambled to my feet and was startled when he mimicked the action, faltering only slightly. I frowned and took two steps back He watched my retreat, then looked down at his ripped clothing. His fingers gingerly picked at the shreds of his shirt. When his eyes lifted to meet mine, I was hit with an unexepected dizziness. His lips parted. I couldn't stop looking at them. Full, curving with interest, lacking the terrot I'd expected. Too many questions flickered in his graze.

I have to get out of here. "You'll be fine. Get off the mountain. Don't come near this place again," I said, turning away.

A shock sparked through my body when the boy gripped my shoulder. He looked surprised but not afraid. That wasn't good. Heat flared along my skin where his fingers held me fast. I waited a moment to long, whatching him, memorizing his features before I snarled and shrugged off his hand.

"wait-" he said, and took another step toward me.

What if I could wait,putting my life on hold in this moment? What if I stole a little more time and cought a taste of what had been so longe forbidden? Would it be so wrong? I would never see this stranger again. What harm could come from lingering here, from holding still and learning whether he would try to touch me the way I wanted to him to?

His scent told me my thoughts weren't far off the mark, his skin snapping with adrenaline and the musk that belied desire. I'd let this encournter last much too long, stepped well beyond the line of safe conduct. With regret nipping at me, I balled my fist. My eyes moved up and down his body, assessing, remembering the feeling of his lips pn my skin. He smiled hesitantly.

Enough.