Chapter 8: The Kiss

Noah

I didn't know how much time had passed. The rain was lightly tapping on the small window above my bed. It was dim in my bedroom. There was smooth black hair spread across one of the pillows above me. I realized that my head was resting on Rain’s chest. Slowly I perched myself using my elbow to gaze down at Rain. I had seen his face this close up before, but somehow this moment feels different. 

 I fixed my gaze upon the slight crook of his nose, then I focused on his excessive amount of hair, and I wondered how long it took him to grow it out. A piece of his hair near his temples was shorter than the rest. I assumed this was the place he stress-pulled to the point where it became damaged. I reached to touch the delicate hairs when I noticed that Rain was watching me through hooded eyes.

I suddenly became aware of his right arm that managed to find its way under my body when Rain pulled me slightly closer. My brain focused on the feeling on his body pressed against mine. Our eyes met. Time meant nothing at that moment. His brown eyes appeared almost black in the dull light of my room. I smoothed back the hair at his temples, and his eyes fluttered closed. My fingers gently traced his thick eyebrows and down the lines of his face. Rain's lips parted when he opened his eyes again. His face turned a pale pink when I stared at them. For a second, I wondered what it would be like to kiss the man that saved my life. 

My hand found the bandages on my neck, and I took a deep breath. Rain grabbed my hand and pulled it away from my throat. An unspoken don’t touch them. He placed my hand back on his chest, but he didn’t let go. I felt Rain’s heart beating almost in tune with mine. I glanced at his bandaged arms that carried me to safety, that held me when I was scared of the shadow in my nightmares. I was so busy wondering how Rain felt when I was this close that I ignored how I felt being this close to him. Slowly, I lowered my face toward Rain and stopped halfway, secretly asking him to close the gap between us. He tilted his head up, and our lips met. 

It was soft and quick. We both pulled back to look at the other. It was a test to see if Rain felt a hint of what I was feeling. I guided my hands up to his neck and paused. We stared at each other for an endless minute.

“Is this okay?” Rain asked, nervous.

“Yes.”

He gently placed his free hand on my chin and slowly pulled me in. Our lips collided, and the room faded from existence. I held his face close to mine like it was the only thing keeping me alive. Rain had cupped my face with one hand and the other was inching its way under my shirt. I felt Rain’s teeth scraping my bottom lip. I eagerly wanted to deepen our kiss. I breathed better during the small gasps of air between kisses than I had in the past few months. There was nothing I wanted more than to taste him. 

My lips traveled down to Rain’s neck, leaving a trail of kisses along his jaw. I lightly trailed my tongue on his neck, and I could feel his body trembling. Rain’s heartbeat was thudding against my lips. The thought of biting him sent a sharp pain down my legs. I pushed myself away from him without a second thought. 

My back was flat against the wall of my room. I shut my eyes, trying to stop the shift that threatened this moment. I did not look at Rain. Could not. 

“I’m sorry,” Rain said in a rush. “I took it too far. I’m sorry.” 

“No, you’re okay. It's just that,” I hesitated. ”I had the sudden urge to rip your throat out.” I mumbled.

“What?”

“I have…It's just…I need to ‘eat.’” 

I peeked at Rain, who was now sitting up on the bed. His lips were pink and slightly swollen. I desperately wanted to climb on him and finish what we started, but when he moved toward me, I could feel my claws scratching the wall behind me. I dashed out of my room to the kitchen to find the cod I left in the freezer a few days ago. Rain was staring at me when he entered the kitchen, and I knew my facial features were less human. 

“Are you okay?” He asked with way more concern than I was ready to hear. 

I turned away from him as I picked up the raw fish.

“I don’t want you to see what I’m about to do,” I said. 

Seconds later, I heard Rain's footsteps retreating to my bedroom. Then I did what I needed. 

While washing my hands and face off in the bathroom, I heard someone knocking at my door. With water still dripping from my face, I answered the door. Of course, it was Maya. As always, she didn’t have a hair out of place. She was wearing a forest green dress with a black mesh long-sleeved blouse underneath. She paired the dress with black thigh-high boots. I was jealous of how put together she always looked. 

“Why aren’t you dressed yet? Did you not read any of my texts?” She asked. 

Maya had pushed past me and strolled into my living room space. “I texted Rain too, but he hasn’t answered any of my messages since this morning.” 

“Good morning to you too, Maya. Oh, and I’m doing great today. Thanks for asking about the possibly traumatizing day I had yesterday,” I said sarcastically. 

“I would say ‘good morning’ back to you, but it’s after 5 pm,” she echoed. “Also, we’re in a time crunch. We need to get to the hospital before the cops get there.”

“Cops? Hospital? What are you talking about?”

“Ugh, you’re wasting time. TLDR, the shark attack victim survived, and we should go talk to him.”

“What the fuck? How do you know that?” I asked. 

“Mom told me, Noah. How else would I know? She said the guy woke up during her shift at the hospital. So hurry and get dressed. We needed to leave like 10 minutes ago.” 

She was glancing around my living room as she spoke. “Where’s Rain? I thought he was crashing on the couch?” 

“He’s in the bathroom,” I lied. 

“Well, tell him to come too. We sort of need a ride and I know he has a driver on speed dial.” 

“Okay. I’ll fill him in.”