“Sip it, because I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Yeah, that’s not really high on my list of things to do either,” I reply sarcastically.
We make light conversation as we pass the can of green beans back and forth, and once we reach the last few, Quinton shoves the can back at me. “I’ve eaten enough. You need it more than me.”
I hesitate, wanting to tell him no, but my stomach still aches from the lack of food.
“I… I can’t, you…”
“Take it, Aspen, or I swear, I will shove every last green bean down your throat, and don’t even tempt me. We both know I’ll do it.” The growl of his voice stops me in my tracks. I was considering arguing with him, but I don’t have it in me.
I’m exhausted as it is.
“Fine!” I huff and use my fingers to grab the remaining green beans. I shove them into my mouth and chew longer than normal, trying to savor the flavor.
When I’m done, I swallow it down with some water and lie back on the bed. Quinton quickly follows suit. The crackling of the fire and our soft breaths are the only sounds in the cabin. The heat from Quinton’s body pressed against mine leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy all over.
We lie side by side, and even though I know it’s way too small for the both of us, it feels just right. Or maybe I just think that because anything is better than the back of the truck.
That reminds me of how close I came to death and how there are still so many things I want to do with my life before that happens.
“I’m glad I didn’t die last night,” I whisper, not really to Quinton but just to the room.
“Aside from wanting to be alive, why is that?” he asks, and I shift onto my side so I can see his face.
I feel self-conscious admitting this out loud, but who knows what tomorrow holds. Hell, we might not even make it out of here.
“I’ve never been kissed before.”
Quinton’s features become a scowl. “What do you mean, you’ve never been kissed? That’s something you do in grade school.”
“Well, I didn’t.”
He shrugs. “It’s just lips touching. It’s nothing special.”
“That’s not true. Kissing is intimate. It’s passion and heart. It’s telling someone a secret with your lips. A secret only you and the other person can decode.”
We’re staring at each other now, and I can’t believe I just said all of that out loud. How could I be so stupid… all my thoughts and words become flakes of snow blowing in the wind when Quinton leans in and presses his lips to mine. His lips are like a fiery brand on my skin, and I startle at the soft caress, ready to push him away before something snaps inside of me, and I sink my fingers into his hair and hold him closer.
He devours my mouth, kissing me with purpose and confidence. I’m lost in him, drowning in him, and I never want to be rescued from this kiss. I can feel the same helpless emotions rushing off him. They slam into me like an asteroid hitting the Earth.
I return his kiss feverishly, afraid that it might end before it’s even gotten started.
It doesn’t end. It continues, and soon his tongue is in my mouth, and his hands are roaming every inch of my body, gripping and tracing the curves. For the first time in forever, I feel cherished and secure, and I let him continue kissing me. When his tongue touches mine, sparks of arousal ignite in my belly.
I want more, need more.
He breaks the kiss and presses wet kisses down my neck and across my collarbone. I’m dizzy with need, and I can tell he’s aroused too, and not just because of the hard cock that’s pressing into my side but because of the way his chest rises and falls and the dilation in his eyes.
He wants me as much as I want him.
Moving over the top of me, his body hovers just above mine.
“What secret did that kiss tell you?” he croaks.
I have to force my swollen lips to move. “It told me you’re drowning too, so let’s drown together.”
Something inside him snaps at my words, and his fingers find my wet heat. I’m ready for him, and he gives me a small smile before he sinks two fingers inside me to test the wetness.
“You’re so fuckin’ wet for me, Aspen. You couldn’t deny wanting me if you tried.”
“I’m not denying it,” I whimper and let out a gasp when he pulls his fingers free, leaving me empty and cold.
He makes up for it a moment later when he parts my legs, making sure my hurt one stays against the bed while he lifts the other and sinks inside me with one thrust.
I don’t know what’s right or wrong in this instant. All I know is that if Quinton stops, I might die, and that’s all that matters to me. Not being stranded in the wilderness, not my broken leg, or that we’re enemies. None of those things matter right now.
It’s just us, together, as one. Two humans finding pleasure in one another’s pain.
He fucks me slowly, almost tenderly, like we have all the time in the world, and I cling to him. I wrap my arms around his neck to keep myself in place while he slides in and out of me. The bed squeaks in the background, but the sound disappears between our breaths. I climb higher and higher toward the finish line, and I look up and stare into Quinton’s eyes.
There is a storm brewing beneath the surface, a thousand unsaid words flickering in his gaze.
“Fuck, every time I’m inside of you, I forget who we are, what we are to each other.”
I nod. “We aren’t enemies here…” I drag my nails across his back, and a hiss escapes his mouth.
He smirks and fucks me harder, his cock rubbing at the sensitive tissue at the top of my channel. It’s the new ferocity of his hips that pushes me over the edge and into orgasmic waters. My eyes flutter closed, and ripples of pleasure course through me. I’m suspended in time, floating up and up while he uses my body.
Just as I’m drifting down from my orgasm, he comes.
“Shit… I’m coming, fuck…” He growls, and I hold on to him, wanting him to stay this close for as long as he’ll allow.
He shudders above me, his entire body rippling like waves rolling through the water. After a moment, he rolls off me and collapses down onto the bed. My emotions splinter at the loss of his body being inside of mine, but he wraps an arm around me and pulls me tight to his side.
All my worries and sorrows are swept under the rug when my head rests against his chest, and my eyes become heavy.
He took my virginity and gave me my first real kiss.
What else of mine will he claim next?
My heart? No, we could never love each other. Could we?
6
QUINTON
Another sleepless night, another morning full of doubts. I do not know what to do. Should I wake Aspen up so we can head out as soon as the sun rises, or should we camp out here until someone comes to find us?
Surely Lucas has noticed what I did by now. He might have had no qualms about leaving Aspen out here on her own, but there is no way in hell he is not sending search troops after me.
The fire I built last night died a few hours ago, but this little cabin is surprisingly insulated, and the cold is not unbearable yet. Aspen is curled up on top of me, with her cheek against my chest, still sleeping like a baby. Part of me always yearned to have a normal sleep schedule, to just lie down and turn it all off for a few hours. On the other hand, if I were sleeping right now, I couldn’t watch Aspen.