“Lennon, let me in. I love these games we play, but I’m about to kick in your fucking door if you don’t open it.”
I allowed several seconds to pass before I heard the click of her door. Relief washed over me that I wasn’t about to die on her doorstep, exerting all of this energy just to gain entry. My heart had been taking a beating lately; I wasn’t sure this was up my alley, but I wasn’t about to let it stop me, either.
More time passed, and when she didn’t open the door willingly after unlocking it, I turned the handle and pushed it wide. Inside her unit, she lay on the couch as if she hadn’t just gotten up for me. The place was a disaster, trash scattered everywhere, as though she’d forgotten the garbage can sitting neatly next by her kitchen counter.
I moved to her side, kneeling on the floor in front of her as she curled up in the fetal position. She looked like she’d been crying for hours. I brushed a strand of hair out of her face without a word. When her eyes met mine, I froze. They were a green unlike any I’d seen. The gloss and redness from her weeping had deepened the undertones into a vivid emerald that seemed to sparkle. It was mesmerizing.
“Tell me, Lennon. Tell me all the darkness eating you alive,” I whispered, hoping the words would reach her.
Her face twisted in a grimace of melancholy, agony that infiltrated parts of her she didn’t want exposed.
“Why are you here?” she asked. On the surface, it was a simple question, but its undertone ran deeper. She didn’t mean just this apartment—she meantwhy are you here in my life?
“Because I want to be,” I answered simply, ensuring I read her tone correctly. She shook her head, like she was about to push further.
“Why are you in my group? Why are you in any fucking groups, for that matter? Is this like a thing for you? A sick kink or whatever?”
I stared at her, completely thrown off.This was what had been racking her brain all night?I huffed out a partial, incredulous laugh, astounded at where she landed. “I have my reasons, Lennon. And no, it’s not some sick fetish or whatever. Just because I’m not forthcoming doesn’t mean I don’t deserve a seat at the table.”
She eyed me, gears turning as she searched for what to say next, because regardless, she knew I was right. I don’t owe anyone an explanation, and I didn’t want to see the shift in her expression when she learned I was going to die. I didn’t want the sympathy she gave to absolutely no one, but would inevitably give to me. I didn’t want her to go easy on me—she never had, and she never fucking should. She made my life fun and challenging, and suddenly, I felt like I have a purpose: to prove everyone wrong, to outweigh the odds. She was that for me.
She continued to avoid speaking, so I decided to reassure her in my own way. “Oh, little siren—was this your way of finding out my fetishes? Because you could have just asked.”
A tiny smirk curled on the left side of my mouth as I watched as the fire sparked back to life inside of her.
“You’re a fucking idiot,” she said, a small, defeated smile slowly presenting itself. “But maybe I’m curious, too.”
Her eyes flitted away from mine, a hint of shyness creeping in. Was Lennon—the girl in front of me—asking…no,flirtingwith me?
Subconsciously, my body leaned slightly forward toward her, testing the waters, testing my luck. “I’m curious what your lips taste like,” I whispered, closing the gap between us. Her eyes flicked up to mine, desperate with hunger.
Like a feral animal, I took the silence as my go-ahead. Our lips collided in a frenzy, and once again, her hands found the back of my shirt, tugging me closer to her, like she needed me desperately. I slid my arms between her and the couch, pulling her into a tight hug against my body as she eased off of the cushions and into my lap on the floor.
Our lips collided like oceans, exploring and frantic. Her nails dug harshly into my back before sliding up into my hair, tugging at the short strands. It was a euphoria I’d never felt before. Ineeded her, and it almost felt like she needed me, too—but not in the way that people usually needed each other.
I craved her lips and the fire simmering beneath her surface. I needed to touch her in the softest ways, to show her the kind of love that she deserved, but had never received. She needed someone to prove her wrong. She needed my gentleness, my unconditional care. She needed those things as badly as I needed her.
And fuck, did I need her. I craved her desperately, like a drug I’d never want to quit.
Her hands traced down my back, pulling me into her as my own slid up to the sides of her neck, gently tugging her closer. We hadn’t even had a chance to breathe, but I could have died happily with my lips still connected to hers. Passion flooded every nerve ending, consuming everything else.
When we finally pulled apart, Lennon studied me, searching my eyes for something. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, bleached hair falling forward as she leaned in again. My eyes were heavy as I whispered against her mouth, “I would let you take me out of this world, Lennon. I’m never going to betray you.”
Lennon pulled away from me, assessing the seriousness in my tone. While she made direct eye contact, her hands reached for the bottom of her shirt and tugged it up and over her head, exposing her bare body to me. I didn’t dare break eye contact as she fell back into my body, her mouth finding mine once again.
Standing with her body latched to mine, I walked down the hallway, heading toward what I could only assume was her bedroom. Her legs wrapped around my waist, and between breaths she whispered, “I can’t.” I pulled her lips closer to mine.
“I won’t. I just want to be next to you,” I said, panting, knowing that simply being close to her would have been all I ever needed.
Nodding, she wrapped her body even more tightly around mine as we approached her bed. I knelt onto it, still carrying her in my arms, and slowly leaned her onto her back onto the mattress, careful not to add pressure by laying on top of her. Once she was settled there, I rolled onto my side, still connected, our bodies and mouths refusing to allow air between us.
Our kissing slowed until it stilled, our lips resting against one another, and I felt compelled to open my eyes just to admire her. When I did, those beautiful green eyes were already watching me.
“You’re so beautiful, Lennon,” I whispered, the words heavily laced with awe and desperation.
She shook her head, and I stopped her by slipping my hand beneath her chin, gently guiding her face back to mine, forcing her to meet my eyes once again.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I want to know everything inside you, darkness included.”
