The Kiss - Chapter 8
Alison delicately placed a small bandage over Rafe's cut that rested above his left eye. Rafe watched the girl, unable to express how much he really appreciated her. It saddened him. Alison sat only inches away and he wanted to do and say so much to her, that he knew he could not. Cluttered with endless thoughts rushing through his head, Rafe stared blankly at Alison, absorbing her every move.
"It's been so long, I bet you've forgotten how it feels to bleed." She said softly, gently making sure the bandage was in place.
"No…not…really." Rafe responded slowly, sadly.
"I'm sorry." She realized her mistake, bringing up memories of Rafe's death. She peered down awkwardly, away from his gaze.
"Alison? I don't…I…I can't…" Rafe could not speak clearly.
Alison noticed how lost he seemed, how shaken he was to feel mortal again. Placing her arms around him she drew him close, holding him tightly. Rafe instantly sank into her. His arms reached around her body and held her with equal force. His face buried itself into her neck. It felt good to both of them, the strength of their embrace. Alison felt needed, really needed, for the first time in a long time. Rafe had been a loner his entire life and for the first time felt like he belonged with someone. Rafe slowly pulled his head up, sliding it gently against Alison's cheek and resting a couple inches in front of her. Feeling each other's breath hitting against the other's lips, they sat silent, still holding each other. Rafe's eyes still expressed a sad and desperate quality that Ali could not ignore. Bringing his hand up to her face, he embraced her cheek. He ran his thumb over her full lips, as he wet his own. He was so gentle she could barely feel his touch. Alison eye's closed with comfort, wanting to just feel the boy close to her, shutting away reality. Opening her eyes again, Rafe peered into them deeply, asking…asking for permission from the girl. Touched by Rafe's incredible sweetness and inexperience, she gave it to him.
Alison's lips pushed gently against the boy's. Rafe's eyes shut as he drew in a deep breath. Barely grazing, their lips merely touched, moving sweetly over each other's. Their breath filtered in and out of the other's mouth. It was obvious that he was afraid, afraid of what he wanted. Then his lips wrapped around her bottom lip and he kissed her firmly. Kissing her again and again, their kisses grew longer and deeper. Alison released a pleasurable sound, a sigh that only made Rafe more excited. He could not get enough of her. It was clear, at that moment, how much Rafe wanted her, needed her and loved her. Alison knew what he was feeling because she was feeling it herself. Feeling things she had never felt with Jamal, she gave into the moment, innocently and honestly. Their breathing, following the same pattern, became hard and deep, reaching a point where they could barely gasp for air. With the cold air hitting the exterior of the car, the windows quickly fogged over, hiding the two, locking them apart from everything around them. They were pushing themselves closer together, no matter how uncomfortable the position in the car. Rafe felt her body push against his and his body responded, startling him.
Rafe pulled his lips away in the height of their rhythm before, he feared, things went further. Pushing his forehead against hers, his eyes remained tightly shut and while licking his lips, he could still taste her. He sighed deeply. Alison's hands reached up, wrapped around his wrists that were still around her face and squeezed them tightly. They were both still breathing deeply against each other.
"Alison…" he whispered. "I had to stop."
Their foreheads still pressed together. He couldn't think of anything else to say. He had already apologized numerous times to her, over the same thing. How many times can one be sorry about something he continues to do? Remaining silent, he waited desperately for Alison to fill in the missing words. Alison pulled back, out of his hold and they just looked at each other. They knew what would come next. They would try to forget what had just happened. They would ignore what needed to be said because it would be too difficult to speak those words.
"I know." she smiled, but behind her expression Rafe could see some sadness. He knew he was confusing her… and himself, but he didn't know what to do. It was best if they just continued to Chicago. "I know." She repeated as she situated herself back into driving position.
Rafe grabbed her hand and looked at her lovingly. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Trying again, "I…I…want…" he sighed, "I want you to know that everything will work out Alison." "I know." she whispered.
The rest of the drive to Chicago was silent. Rafe and Alison were busy with their own thought, mostly about one another and Jamal.
