Page 79 of Darkness Defined

“It’s not your turn. Truth or dare.”

“Truth,” I replied quickly. I wanted to get back to the other thing.

“Ugh,” he gave an exasperated sigh. “Why does it matter?”

“Because I want to know. Now answer the question. Why?”

“Except I choose dare,” he replied maliciously.

I knew exactly where he wanted me to go with that and I refused to give him the satisfaction. “Then I dare you to tell me the truth.”

“That’s cheating,” he argued.

“The truth, Matt.”

“Because I liked it, okay? Are you ha—”

My mouth was on his before he could finish. He felt even better than I remembered, and I easily fell into the desire I’d been avoiding for the last few weeks. None of this is real, I thought distantly. I’m actually passed out drunk on the floor and having a really good dream. He tasted amazing.

“Definitely not a terrible kisser,” I said between kisses as I shifted to get a better angle. I didn’t care if this was a dream. Or if I woke up and had to explain myself. I kissed my imaginary Matt deeper.

Then his fingers curled in my hair. He pulled and, at the sharp pain, I realized I was still awake, but he didn’t pull me away. He pulled me closer.

“Matt.” His name was scarcely more than a gasp. My heart beat frantically as it tried desperately to keep up with what was happening right now. He arched into me and I pulled him tighter. Kissing Matt was like kissing fire and the burn was so good.

“Alex.”

I moaned at hearing him say my name. He was still giving as good as he got, his tongue dancing with mine and addling whatever was left of my senses. I couldn’t get enough of him. I abandoned his mouth to kiss along his neck. The smell of him was driving me mad.

“Alex.” This time, it was more of a groan.

I recaptured his mouth, and he fiercely returned the kiss.

His hand released my hair and drifted down to my chest. He gave a solid push and forced me back a few inches. “Alex, wait.” He swallowed, his lips a delectable cherry from the fervor.

“What?” I felt delirious. The world was fuzzy and intangible. The only real thing in it was Matt.

“I need a minute.” His breathing came in shallow pants, every bit as labored as mine.

I so wasn’t done with him, not after a confession like that. I leaned forward, still completely lost to desire. How long was a minute?

“Alex, wait,” he said, his voice stronger, less of a whisper. “I think… I think… Shit.” He scrambled back, failed to get up, and shadowed through the couch to land with a solid thud on the ground. I watched as he staggered out of the couch, solidified, then raced to his room. He flung the door open and vanished inside, leaving me with nothing but my confusion.

Fog continued to cloud my mind as I followed him. With his door hanging open, it was practically an invitation. I flicked on the bedroom light. I’d never been in his room beyond that first day, and not much differed from then. Where mine had books and posters, his was bare walls. The only book was the one we were using for the research project, and it was sitting on the nightstand. Other than that, there was nothing, not even Matt.

Then I heard someone being sick. I looked towards the source. The bathroom door was cracked enough to show a strip of white light. I opened it the rest of the way in time to see him retch again. He saw me come in and rolled his head on his arm, which was propped against the seat.

“How you doin’?” I grabbed a towel and wet it with cold water.

“You mean besides being absolutely mortified?” He accepted the towel, and I shrugged. “I feel like I’m dying.” He laid on the cold tile floor while I sat on the rim of the tub and watched him. He looked up at me, his blue eyes swimming. “Why don’t you look as miserable as I feel?”

“I’m pretty sure you had twice as many shots as me.”

“That would do it. Well, I’ve made a complete ass of myself. Thank Nyx we don’t have class tomorrow.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“Water would be great.”