Whiskey Masked Attraction

the lake's rippled surface. The morning air was cool, the kind t

s tucked under his leather jacket, her long legs tangled with his. Neither spoke. The silence

mind raced. She was asleep. Her breath was slow, even. One arm draped across his chest lik

t stop rep

he whisper

like victory or conquest, but lik

pected it to

he was

dn't want to

p slowly, brushed her fingers through her tousled hair, and gazed

go," she s

s voice cracke

a performer, leaving the stage after the

upright, ran a hand d

d. "Don't

said. "But don't pretend like l

t meant too much." Th

did?" The question slipped

hed. "Don't

ed to

er lashes. "Grant touched me like I belonged to

car, every step stead

didn't

se he didn

if he chased her now,

days p

w, tortur

nks at night at the local bar. He didn't answer texts. Didn't tal

elene once during thei

been wiped clean

he finished up cleaning be

on

oat and heels. No lipsti

t h

stomach

of the bar, far awa

oached

drink or a deci

t his eye

wai

her voice.

didn't hear them. But when he did, the

ha

ight at the lake." Her hands trembled. "He a

ar instantly, reaching for

a smile, brittle as g

e. No more

mask cracking. "I came becaus

ely breathe.

e you anything,

" His voice was low. "Ju

idn't

ust n

back to the l

tea, wrapped her in one of his hoodies. She looked out of place, curled up on her ol

n't to

reached for

ything me

slowly, carefully. Like he was undoing every bruise. His hands moved with revere

ressed i

ke they were writ

d, tangled in sweat and sheets, she

to lea

n bl

ous. I want to go. I want to disa

dded. "Then I

shook. Grant will come after me

afraid

shoul

er. "Let him come. I've g

ong time. Then she leaned fo

she whispered. "Be