Painful Pleasures

Chapter 6

April's POV

I had never slept next to anyone before...ever. So when I wake up and feel the warmth that has enveloped me, I don't want to open my eyes.
Not now...
There is so much sunlight and I silently curse myself for forgetting to close the binds as my eyes flutter open.
Chest and muscles are all I see, big and glowing in the sunlight. Then I look up and silently say a prayer of thanks as I notice his closed eyes.
Somehow, during the night, instead of backing him, I was facing him. Our legs and hands had intertwined and as much as I want to push him away...I don't have the guts to.
To give up this warmth and comfort.
My eyes don't leave his chest as they gently rise and fall...and then I notice it.
A tattoo?

Yes. A yin and yang tattoo close to the left side of his chest and as small as a fist. I hold my breath as my hand slips out from under his and goes straight to where the tattoo is.
This is wrong.
So wrong.
So very, very wrong.

Still, I can't help but trace my fingers ever so slowly over the tattoo, feeling every curve, every touch of ink.
Why yin and yang?
The Chinese symbol of equality and balance.
Why a Griffin?
What stories are behind these signs of his?

My hands don't stop moving and my eyes follow them as they go up to his morning beard stubble, his chin.
Uh-oh.
Busted.

Grey eyes are staring steadily at me, softly but with so many questions...or thoughts? Or secrets?

"I'm on your bed." He says so softly and I feel his chest vibrate against mine as he speaks.

"I know." I whisper.

"You're touching me."

"I know."

"Should I leave?"

"I don't know."
I really don't. A yes or no could ruin this moment and I'm not ready.

"I don't know your name." I whisper, suddenly realizing it as his hand covers mine and puts it back on his chest.

"Ethan. Ethan Griphen." He mutters.
I have no idea why we're both speaking so quietly but I don't want to complain.
It's like deep down, we are both trying to keep this unknown spell safe and unbroken.

"Ethan." I say and suddenly I want to say it over and over again.

"You have grey eyes, Ethan." I whisper, then add,
"What are you hiding in them?"

"What are you hiding in yours?" He whispers back and I feel his hand on my cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair away and immediately setting my face on fire.

Ethan's POV

"What are you hiding in them?" Her soft voice said, eager green eyes never leaving mine and I knew she was getting caught up in the spell.
Hell, I am too.

"What are you hiding in yours?" I say, putting my hand to touch the red lock of her that I had ached to feel. She went red immediately but didn't look away.

Tell me...

"Every moment of--"
Buzzzz.
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
Her eyes shift to my trouser pocket where I had safely tucked her vibrating phone and slowly, I watch as the spell cracks then break all at once as she suddenly sits up and pulls every part of her body that is touching mine close to her chest.

"I told you I didn't want it." She says when I pull it out, suppressing a groan.
I had used it to find her room, thanks to studying and work based on computer science and now the damn thing had betrayed me.

"I forgot I had it with me, okay? You didn't take it earlier yesterday and--"

"Just go." She says and looks away.