Ruthless Desire

na

has

ngine slicing through clouds soft but sh

and stare down at the Atlantic. It st

ll myself. Not running. N

, don't be

trip without a

like to be alive," she'd said, handi

esn't

ies me more than fee

, sunlight pours into the cabin, warm and blindi

acked like bone, blue domes gleaming under the sun,

or someone who stil

k. I toss my bag on the bed and l

ling when I took a sit. "We

ng stron

urs amber liqu

t smile as he slides the dri

s i pick it up, the air smells lik

ummer I neve

ke a

when I

n shadow, watching the ocean like

him calm on the surface,

ss in a suit e

doesn't need atten

he

r eyes

ut it hits me like static. Som

smile and n

y he doesn't look away, that tells me he's no

like me, he's

ke his move, slow, deliberate steps un

e is smooth, low, threaded with someth

ass. "Apparently. My friend booked the tr

as it

t y

eyes feel sharp, like he

ke someone who run

not running," I s

le but not quite. "Resting looks a lot

curiosity, maybe both. "And what about y

gaze stays locked on mi

er between us,

ten?" I ask, mostly

head. "No. But

little thoughtful makes i

s, and I hate

ut a hand.

y, slipping m

dy and when he lets go

not like

ching for the same quiet

o follow-up like he doesn't want to talk

rk in marketi

lifts.

ond drink. "Let's just say I to

led my way into after

h my life like a sto

ll Julian

bout

ng in on him wi

d and shaking, begging for an

n of me, hopeful, loyal,

too raw for firs

slowly, "is just mem

ugh. "I have enough of

came to the right place. Islands

yes, his eyes have seen too muc

s our glasses, Julian gl

t up from below a party

ack at me.

esi

adds. "You might even

got," I say. "I just

rooked maybe . "Then

my drink, walk away, and keep p

ar myself say

g smile tugging at his lips

es says he's already t

toward th

I fo

lights, laughter, bodies swayin

rink in hand, sleeves rolled, th

like the party

wer. "My friend

ly. "Then I sho

't strike me as the type who show

looked like you needed some

rig

most

you care

ybe I'm just curious wh

sip and look o

toward the dance

head. "I do

anyway. "You don't

e before

as he pull me t

small back and my fingers curl arou

ly him. His scent, his breath, the fain

g ends, he d

, low enough that

close enough that I feel h

th me,"

nk of all the reason