Mission (Aftermath #1)

12. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Katie

I t starts with a look, that familiar glint in his eye that I’ve come to recognize over the years. A glint that tells me he’s up to something, something mischievous and exciting.

I’m sitting on the couch, absorbed in a book, when I feel his gaze on me. Slowly, I lift my head and meet his eyes. There it is, that unmistakable gleam of desire mixed with playful intent.

“What are you thinking?” I ask curiously.

He smirks, not answering right away. Instead, he approaches me with a confident swagger. For a second, I wonder where his crutches are but then I forget all about them as the anticipation builds within me while I watch him draw nearer.

Finally, he speaks. “I think you need a break from reading,” he says in that low, husky voice that never fails to send shivers down my spine.

“Oh yeah?” I reply, my heart starting to race with excitement. “And what do you suggest instead? ”

He doesn’t answer verbally this time. Instead, he reaches out and gently takes the book from my hands, setting it aside on the coffee table. His touch lingers for a moment longer than necessary as his hand grazes mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my veins.

“I suggest we have some adult fun,” he finally says with a smirk. With deliberate slowness and purposeful movements, he kneels down before me so we’re at eye level. His hands find their way to the hem of my shirt and slowly begin to lift it up my body.

I raise my arms above my head to assist him as he peels the fabric away from me. Goosebumps erupt across my skin at the cool rush of air against my exposed flesh.

His eyes roam over my body, drinking in every inch of me as if he’s seeing me for the first time. The intensity of his gaze makes me feel both vulnerable and incredibly desired.

He leans in and presses a soft, lingering kiss to my belly, causing a shiver to run through me. Then, his lips continue their exploration, trailing slowly upward until they find mine in a passionate kiss.

As our lips meld together, I’m lost in the sensations coursing through me. His hands roam over my bare skin, leaving a trail of heat and need in their wake.

With one swift motion, he stands up and pulls me to my feet, never breaking the connection between us. He holds me close, his strong arms wrapped tightly around my waist as we sway to some unheard melody.

I lose myself in the moment, in the feel of his body pressed against mine and the intoxicating scent that is uniquely him. All thoughts are pushed aside as I surrender completely to this dance of desire .

The music changes suddenly and so does his demeanour. The playful glint returns to his eyes as he releases me from his embrace. He takes a step back and begins to unbutton his shirt with deliberate slowness.

My eyes follow each movement hungrily as more and more of his toned torso is revealed to me. Every button that comes undone feels like another knot unravelling within me.

Once he’s discarded his shirt on the floor, he reaches for the waistband of his trousers and begins to undo them too. My pulse quickens at the thought of what comes next.

With a mischievous smile on his face, he shimmies out of his trousers, leaving him standing before me in nothing but his boxers. The outline of his arousal is impossible to miss and it sends a surge of want pooling between my thighs.

He watches my reaction with darkened eyes that are filled with lust and adoration. It’s a potent combination that makes me feel both incredibly sexy and completely seen.

He hooks his fingers into the waistband of my sweatpants and slowly slides them down my legs, never once breaking eye contact. I step out of them, leaving me standing there in just my bra and knickers.

His gaze lingers on my body as a low growl escapes from deep within his chest. The sound is primal and possessive, making all doubts and insecurities evaporate into thin air.

With a hunger in his eyes that matches my own, he closes the distance between us once more. His hands find their way to the clasp of my bra and with one fluid motion, he releases it, freeing my breasts to his hungry gaze .

He takes one hardened nipple into his mouth while his hand kneads the other breast, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume everything in its path. Pleasure courses through every nerve ending in my body as he continues to suck and tease with expert skill.

As he moves on to lavish attention on my other breast, his hands find their way to the waistband of my knickers. With a quick flick of his wrists, they join the growing pile of discarded clothing on the floor.

"Now you," I whisper.

He gives me one of his cheeky grins before pushing the boxers over his hips. Now we stand before each other completely naked, our bodies flushed with desire and anticipation. The air crackles with electricity as we both silently acknowledge what comes next.

He takes a step back and gestures for me to turn around. I do as he asks, facing away from him but staying close enough that I can still feel the heat radiating off his body.

I brace myself against the couch, placing both hands on the cushions in front of me. My heart pounds wildly as I wonder what he has planned.

Suddenly, I feel his warm breath against the back of my neck as he leans in close to whisper in my ear. “Close your eyes,” he instructs softly.

I obey without hesitation, shutting my eyes tightly and focusing on the sensations coursing through me. Every nerve ending is on high alert, eagerly awaiting his next move.

His lips find my neck and he begins to pepper it with kisses, each one more fervent than the last. Slowly, his kisses trail downward until they reach the dip at the base of my spine, causing me to shiver in delight .

With one hand on the small of my back to hold me steady, he explores every inch of my body with his mouth. He leaves a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses down my spine that elicit a moan from deep within me.

When he reaches the curve of my ass, he gives it a playful nip that makes me jump slightly. He chuckles against my skin before continuing his sensual assault.

He spreads my thighs apart slightly and kneels down behind me. His hands move to grip onto my hips firmly, holding me in place as I feel his hot breath against my most intimate spot.

The anticipation is almost too much to bear as I wait for him to make his next move. I want this so much, I have waited for this too long.

Finally, his tongue meets my slick folds with a slow and deliberate stroke that has me gasping for air. Pleasure radiates outward from where our bodies are connected like ripples in a pond after a stone is thrown in.

He continues to tease and taste with maddening slowness, exploring every crevice and sensitive spot along the way. My legs begin to tremble beneath me as I struggle to remain standing under the weight of this overwhelming pleasure.

Just when I think I can’t take anymore, he surrounds my clit with his lips and gives it an expert flick with his tongue. A bolt of electricity shoots through me, causing every muscle in my body to spasm in response.

I’m lost in a sea of pleasure, drowning in the waves of sensation crashing over me when suddenly everything stops. His mouth is no longer against me, and all I can hear is the sound of my own ragged breathing .

Confused, I open my eyes and turn around to face him. He’s kneeling there on the floor, watching me with a smug grin on his face.

But then, something shifts.

The air grows cold, sharp, biting against my skin. The soft glow of the bedroom light is gone, replaced by a dim, grey shadow. I blink, confused, my heart racing as the warmth I felt only moments ago slips away.

“Will?” I call, my voice echoing unnaturally in the long, dark corridor that has appeared around me.

He’s there, just ahead of me, walking steadily forward with his back to me.

“Will!” I shout again, panic creeping into my voice. “Wait! Where are you going?”

He doesn’t stop. He doesn’t turn. He moves forward, his pace unhurried, as if he doesn’t even hear me.

The corridor feels endless, narrowing as I try to run after him. But my feet feel heavy, like they’re stuck in wet sand. No matter how hard I push, how desperately I lunge forward, the distance between us doesn’t shrink.

“Please!” I scream, my throat raw. “Stop! Just stop!”

Ahead of him, the corridor opens up to reveal the edge of a cliff. My heart slams against my ribcage as I realise where he’s headed.

“Will!” I cry, my voice cracking with terror.

He steps closer to the edge, his movements calm, deliberate. The wind howls around us, the sound deafening, and I scream again, tears streaming down my face.

“Don’t!” I shout, my voice breaking. “Please, don’t do this!”

He pauses at the very edge, his silhouette outlined against the abyss. For the briefest moment, he turns his head, his eyes meeting mine. There’s a faint smile on his lips, not of joy but of resignation, and it chills me to my core.

I throw myself forward, my hand outstretched, desperate to reach him. “Will!”

But it’s too late.

He steps off the edge, his body tilting forward. The sight of him falling, disappearing into the void, tears through me like a knife.

“No!” I scream. “Will!”

I jolt awake with a gasp, my heart racing. The room is dark and still, the faint glow of the streetlights outside casting pale streaks across the walls. My hands are trembling, my skin damp with sweat.

For a moment, I’m still there, in the dream, watching him fall, feeling the icy wind against my skin. My breathing is ragged, my heart pounding so hard it hurts.

It was a dream. Just a dream.

But it doesn’t feel like one. It feels real, raw, the echo of his name still on my lips like a prayer left unfinished.

I press my hands to my face, dragging in shaky breaths as I try to steady myself. The fear lingers, thick and suffocating, refusing to let go.

It was a dream. He’s fine. He’s safe.

But no matter how many times I tell myself that, the image of him falling over the edge stays with me, etched into my mind like a scar I can’t erase.