One hand catches her hip and the other locks around her waist. I yank her back into me so fast it knocks the air out of both of us. We hit the ground hard, dirt and wet leaves spraying out around us.
She gasps, sharp and breathless.
I pin her with my weight, knees braced on either side of her thighs, one hand spread over her ribs. She shifts beneath me, not fighting outright.
I lean close. My voice stays low. “I got you.”
Her eyes flash up at me and she smiles. “Or did I get you?”
I glance down.
Her hand is between us.
A knife is angled up at my stomach, close enough that I can feel the cold of the blade through my shirt. She kept it hidden until the last second, tucked tight against her body where I wouldn’t see it until I thought I already won.
I go still for half a beat.
Then I laugh once, breathless, because of course she did.
“Clever girl.”
She keeps the blade steady and her eyes stay on mine. “You told me to keep my knife on me, even when I’m with you.”
My hand slides to her wrist, not forcing it down yet, just holding her there, feeling the strength in her grip. I keep my weight careful so I don’t press into the blade.
“So everything I drilled in you finally stuck.”
She smiles wider. “Yeah, but you can always drill more.”
My throat tightens. The mask is still on my face, but I can feel my grin under it.
I lean closer until my breath hits her mouth. “You’re asking for trouble.”
Her knife doesn’t drop. Her body still arches, chasing contact, daring me to do something about it.
I lift my hand to the mask and pull it off, because I need her eyes on mine. I need her to see my face and understand this is real. I drop the mask into the dirt beside us.
Her knife stays between us, angled up at my stomach. I reach down and grab the blade. The edge bites into my palm and splits skin. Blood slides warm over my fingers.
I don’t flinch.
Her eyes widen, just a little, and her breath catches hard.
I close my hand tighter around the knife, forcing it away from my body. Then I bring that same bloody hand up to her mouth and trace across her lips with my thumb.
Down her chin. Down her throat.
A red trail follows my touch. She swallows under it, pulse jumping against my fingers.
I keep my hand at her throat, not squeezing, just holding her there.
I lean in and kiss her. Hard and deep, like I am claiming the moment back. The taste of my blood hits my tongue. She makes a sound into my mouth and it turns into a shiver through her whole body.
I shift my weight and roll her with me, taking her hand and pinning it above her head. Leaves stick to her hair. Damp earth smears her cheek.
Her breath comes fast. Her eyes stay locked on mine.
I press my mouth to her ear. “I’m going to drill everything I’ve got into you.”
