Touch

LAKE

The fire crackles and releases little fire angels into the sky as I stare at the yellow and red flames. My knees are tucked to my chest with my arms around them.

Derrick sits next to me, poking the fire every time it begins to die. He’s given me his coat to sit on. I didn’t feel like protesting.

“Firefly, are you okay?” Derrick asks. His expression is soft and filled with pity.

I shrug my shoulders. “I haven’t been okay for a while now.”

My eyes go back to the fire. I’ve been holding the books close to me this entire time, with nothing on my mind but the sight of my family’s burning bodies.

I can still smell the scent of their burning flesh. The sound of Riley’s arm being ripped away from its socket.

I close my eyes tightly and grimace at the memory. My heart is barely beating, and Lynne is nowhere near my consciousness.

Suddenly, I feel Derrick’s arms around mine. His long hair tickles the back of my neck as he deeply breathes in my scent.

“I swear to get revenge for them,” Derrick whispers against my skin. “You have me for anything you wish.”

I raise my eyes to the night sky. Clouds cover every inch of what I can see. I let out a deep sigh and watch as my breath disappears.

“Derrick, why are you willing to do all this for me?” I ask. “I might as well be a stranger to you.”

Derrick takes me into his lap. The books fall onto his jacket under my feet. I can feel his rapid heartbeat.

“I told you.” Derrick rubs the back of my hand with his thumb. “I’m yours.”

My chest slightly releases the knot that’s been building. Without thinking, I look into his eyes and down to his thin lips.

Derrick’s jaw is clenched before he parts his lips slightly. I bring a hand up to his cheek and allow his lips to come over mine.

The touch of this man is like nothing I’ve ever felt. My pulse quickens as my heart begins to race.

Derrick pulls me up to face level. Our tongues dance in the trance of lust. My hips grind against his groin. I run my hands through his hair.

My chest begins to ache over my left breast. Derrick seems to know as he lifts my shirt and kisses over the spot. A loud moan escapes my lips.

I whimper as Derrick’s canines graze over my skin. His large hands pull my waist close to his as he possessively growls.

I’m so ready…

~Wait…~

~

My eyes pop open as I pull away. Both I and Derrick are breathing heavily. My hand is over my chest where his teeth were scraping.

“I’m sorry…” Derrick blinks a couple of times before looking at me. “I—I don’t know what came over me.”

I pull my shirt down and nod. My breast is on fire. Every inch of me is crying out to be touched again by this man.

“I don’t know what came over me either,” I say, looking deeply into the snow that covers the ground around us.

Lynne’s longing for Derrick bleeds into my own. She’s been awakened by him, away from her grief.

“Firefly... I’m sorry.” Derrick rubs his face. “I promised myself I wouldn’t until you knew.”

I close my eyes in realization. A groan escapes me out of frustration. How was I so stupid?

“I know, Derrick.” I look into Derrick’s black eyes. They’re filled with lust and desire.

“I’m sorry I didn’t notice sooner...” I take a deep breath, not believing what I’m about to say.

“We’re mates...”