A quiet whimper escapes Lyric’s lips as her back hits the sofa cushions.

“Are you okay?” I wiggle my body over hers, still feeling out of my element.

Push or pull?

Want or desire?

Stay or flee?

Her blonde hair looks like a halo around her head, her green eyes are glazed over, and her lips are swollen from the intense kiss. She’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever laid eyes on. Will ever lay eyes on.

“More than okay.” She cups the back of my head and guides my mouth to hers for another passionate kiss.

Our tongues twine together as I grind my body against hers. A shudder then another grind. I feel like I’m dying inside, yet at the same time, fully alive. My body and mind are a walking contradiction, never wanting the same thing.

For the moment, my body ends up winning as I glide an unsteady hand up Lyric’s dress. Her legs part, and I settle between her with my hand on her ass. She shivers, her head falling back as she gasps.

Terrified, I start to pull away, but she reaches between us and places her fingers over mine, holding my hand there. I kiss her fiercely until my lips feel swollen then move my mouth down her neckline. Little whimpers and moans keep escaping from her lips the lower I delve. By the time I reach the top of her dress, I’m pulsating with need.

She rolls her hips against mine again as she grabs my hair. Glancing up, I slide one of the straps of the dress down while watching her expression. When her chin dips down, her hungry gaze collides with mine. She wants this, wants me. I don’t even know how to process that fact, so I try not to, try not to think about anything as I slip the strap down and expose her breast.

“Oh, my God,” I whisper. I’m as hard as a rock. Through the yearning, the fear is there, residing under my skin.

I won’t give in. I won’t give in.

Lyric grasps my hand that’s still on her ass, but I still manage to pull away. I take her other hand, and with our fingers linked, I move her arms above her head, then I lower my mouth to her breast, and suck her nipple into my mouth.

Her back bows, our bodies meld together. I’m about to lose it, yet somehow, I continue going, sucking and tracing circles with my tongue. Lyric gasps and moans and writhes underneath me until she finally cries out, stabbing her nails into my hands as she comes apart.

The pierce of her nails almost causes me to tumble into a memory.

See the darkness eating around you.

It will one day consume you.

Because we’re not going to let you out of here

Until you’re so ruined you’ll never be good again.

No, no, no.

I don’t want to see it.

I force the images out of my mind, returning to reality just in time to see Lyric blinking up at me.

“Are you okay?” she asks as she traces her finger across my collarbone.

I nod, still in shock over what just happened between us. “Are you?”

“I’m more than okay.” Her hand glides down my spine to the bottom of my back, just above the waistband of my jeans, and her fingers play with the fabric of my boxers.

Every single one of my muscles wind into knots, and the moment begins to crumble.

I don’t—can’t—be touched.

She must see the terror on my face because she quickly removes her hand. “I’m sorry. When I go too far, just say so, okay—”

The sound of the door swinging open cuts her off. I swiftly jerk the strap of her dress over her shoulder, and then we both bolt upright, tugging our clothes into place. We don’t move fast enough, and Nolan and Sage get a clear idea of what’s been going on.

“Oh,” Nolan says, glancing between Lyric and me. Then he busts up laughing, hunching over and cradling his stomach. “Dude, next time, lock the door.”

Sage doesn’t appear as amused. In fact, he seems really irate. I think about all the times I’ve caught him flirting with Lyric and checking her out and worry this might end up being one of those issues that breaks up the band.

“Do you want us to leave so you two can finish up?” Sage says flatly as he kicks the door shut.

Lyric combs her hair into place, calm as can be. “We’re good, but thanks.”

Sage’s eyes land on me, burning holes into my head. “What about you? You good? Or do you still need to go into the bathroom and finish off?”

“Knock it off.” I hate drama, and Sage is trying to stir it up.

A pucker forms at Sage’s brow, but the confusion quickly disappears as he turns around. “I’m going to go outside and smoke.” He storms out of the garage, slamming the door behind him.

An awkward silence forms between the three of us.

“I should go talk to him.” I get up and head for the door while Nolan sits down on one of the stools and starts tuning his guitar.

“Are you sure you want to?” Lyric calls out after me. “It might be better just to let him have his hissy fit and get over it.”

If Sage likes Lyric, then I’m not sure he’s going to get over her. Lyric isn’t the kind of girl you just get over.

“I’m just going to make sure he’s okay.” I slip out the door before she can say anything else.

When I find Sage, he’s sitting on the hood of his truck, puffing on a joint.

“Are you sure you should be doing that?” I hoist myself on the hood and prop my feet on the bumper. “What if someone sees you?”

He takes a drag, traps the smoke in his chest, and then exhales. “I really don’t give a shit who sees me.” He holds the joint between his fingers, staring at his neighbor’s house in the distance. “So, you guys are like a thing now?”