neck . My eyes squint shut and my lips press firmly together as he continues to dab the gauze along the cut in my skin. “Sorry,” he says from above me. “It’s okay. It’s not that bad.” When the stinging subsides , I open my eyes. Leo’s face is directly above me, his complete focus on treating my neck, so I take a moment to study him. His skin looks soft and smooth despite the stubble on his chin, and my mind’s desire to test that observation is almost enough to compel my body to comply. His eyes are a cloudy slate blue tinted with more sadness than I ever realized eyes could hold . They’re only accentuated by the dark hair that surrounds his face. Even when he’s not smiling , he’s good to look at. He could be scowling at me and I’d still find him extremely attractive. I feel the gauze he’s using to clean my skin get dangerously low on my chest. Did I really bleed that far down? My shirt must have caught underneath me when I lowered myself to this position, because my cleavage is showing more than normal. Leo is surely noticing this as he cleans my skin. My nerves about this situation stick with me even after he’s done with the gauze . As he smoothes some ointment out over the cut, I don’t even notice the sting. All I’m focusing on is how close his face is to mine, our lips within inches of each other as he’s leaning in so closely to apply butterfly bandages to the wound. I don’t think Leo even notices our proximity until a slight gasp escapes my lips. They’re parted slightly , eagerly awaiting another pair of lips to reciprocate their fervent desire for contact. Leo stills above me for a moment, observing me intently and clearly interpreting the signals my body is sending to him. He dips his face down toward me until our mouth s are within centimeters of each other. I can feel his breath pass between my lips. I can feel the heat of his skin so close to mine. He moves the tiny amount of distance to close the space between us and connects with my lips, touching them gently with his own before engaging them more forcefully. Our kiss becomes f renzied and desperate, as if this may be the last night we ever see each other and we’re making the most of the time we have left before we’re separated. Leo’s hands are in my hair, his thumbs caressing my cheek, his tongue exploring my mouth. I feel like he’s all over me and in me and on me in every way possible even though we’re only kissing. My hands fist his shirt and pull desperately at his shoulders and neck. I’ve kissed guys before in high school , but never like this . This is passion at its purest. This is undeniable lust. These are the needs and longings and desires of two bodies coming together in one moment amidst a swirl of surrounding chaos. I feel the change in Leo’s demeanor even before he withdraws from me. He stares at me for a moment, my eyes still wide with lust and my chest rising and falling erratically. “This is a bad idea,” he says quietly before standing up and looking at the door behind him. “This will not end well for either of us if we’re caught. We can’t do this.” I pause for a moment before looking away from him. Though my mind completely understands his concern, my body really doesn’t give a shit. Whatever just passed between us made me feel alive. I felt a strange taste of freedom despite my captive state. That one experience and this gorgeous and caring creature in front of me gave me something to live for, even if only for a few short moments. Now I just feel hollow. “Okay.” It’s my go-to answer in this place. It’s obedient and submissive, just how they want me to be. I can’t look at him now. I’m too embarrassed and disappointed in what just happened to face him. I hear the first aid kit being closed up followed by footsteps moving away from me to the door. My eyes close to fend off the burn of