Page 29 of Falling With You

“It wasn’t your fault, Sienna. Is that why you’ve been ignoring me? Because you blame yourself?”

“Just stop it, Aiden. I don’t want to get into this right now.”

“You never want to get into it.”

I hadn’t even realized I was standing right in front of her, her back against the door, our lips a bare inch apart.

Both of our breaths were coming in ragged pants, our bodies close, so close I could feel the heat of her, could almost feel the softness of her.

And so, I did the one thing I shouldn’t. I let go of my sanity and took her lips.

The kiss was soft at first, and then it was hard and fast. She tasted of her drink and just Sienna. My tongue flicked against hers, and suddenly my free hand was on her face, arching her neck just enough so I could deepen the kiss.

I craved her, needed her touch, her taste, everything about her.

She was my addiction, my frailty, and even though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but want her. Couldn’t help but want this to last. To want this kiss to never end.

This was just like before. Like the one other time she’d let me have her. Let me touch her.

The one time I’d let myself be someone else.

The one time I’d given in.

And then her hands were on my chest, and I was taking a few steps back, listening to her.

Because I refused to be the guy who didn’t stop. Who didn’t back away.

“What was that?” she asked, her breath ragged.

“You know exactly what that was, short stack.”

“It was a mistake. That’s what it was.”

I tried to ignore that lash, but I couldn’t. “It was just like before. Don’t you remember, Sienna? Don’t you remember at all?”

She looked at me, her eyes wide, her face carefully devoid of emotion. “Before didn’t work at all, did it?” And then she opened the door and left. I let her. I didn’t reach out. Didn’t ask her what she’d meant by that.

Because ithadn’tworked out before. It hadn’t worked for many reasons, and not just because of who we were.

Because of who had once stood between us.

It hadn’t worked. And I had a feeling it never would.

Chapter Seven

Boys. There’s just something about them that makes me want to love them and strangle them.

Not at the same time.

Maybe.

-Sienna, age 14.

Sienna

Before

“If you don’t hurry up, we’re going to be late,” Aiden snapped at me, and I glared over my shoulder at him.