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The heat is on the other side

When her back hits the tree trunk,jaw I lean in, and she eases back, wide-eyed in surprise

I stay still Assessing her headspace My pulse races I still hold her cheek, and our breath sounds like heavy panting in the woods

She eyes my lips

I eye hers

And then Sulli leans in

I draard in a flash, bringing her mouth to mine I kiss Sullivan I kiss her like she’s rainwater and I’ly slow

Our bodies shift closer The crunch of leaves beneath our soles is a faraway noise in hts up ue parts her lips, and her hips bow into me

One beat later, her hand dives to et me off

Feelshow hard I am

My erection is painful beneath my shorts Fuck, my body thruainst this damn tree With one hand, I clasp both her wrists and pull her ar them while we kiss

An aroused noise leaves her lips and enters mine

Suddenly, she jerks away

I let go

Her hands fall

My pulse flat lines at the sheer dread in her face

“No, no, no, no” Her hands are on her thighs, bent over She’s looking back at the motel

“Hey, talk toyour arms above your head? I won’t do that—”

“I liked that—I really, really liked that”

I run h my hair “I should’ve asked to kiss you”

“I should’ve said hold on or…so Fuck” Sulli buries her face in her hands “I knew you were going to kiss me I wanted you to kiss me This is all fucked up”

“What’s fucked up about it?” My face twists “Sulli?”

She has a haunted look

“Sulli?!” I’ That someone hurt her in the past Did her ex abuse her? Is she okay?

Myin a thousand panicked directions

“I can explain” She holds out a hand “But I can’t explain without Banks”