My back hits the wall and I moan into his mouth. I climb up his body, wrapping my legs around his waist.

Even though he’s clothed, I can feel the heat radiating off him. It’s so similar to the scorching fire going through me.

The passion.

The madness.

It’s funny how I used to think Asher was cold. He’s certainly not right now.

He’s so warm, it’s unfair.

“Fuck.” He yanks his lips away from mine as if he doesn’t want to do this, like it pains him to kiss me.

He doesn’t move away, though. His mouth is close to mine as his chest rises and falls with harsh, uneven breaths.

“What the fuck are you doing to me, Reina?”

I’m panting, my starved lungs begging for breath. “I don’t know.”

“Is that so?” There’s no contempt in his tone; it’s more like resignation than anything.

“I really don’t.”

“But I do.” He darts his mouth to brush my lips. “Still, I can’t stop fucking touching you…can’t stop looking at you…can’t stop obsessing over you. When one of your asshole teammates lifts you in the air, I want to break their arms.”

My heart skips a beat. I didn’t know he was watching me that closely.

Before I can say anything, his lips go back to feasting on mine. Little noises and moans escape me.

I don’t want to stop them.

Or stop him.

He pushes his pelvis against me and his hardness pokes at the sensitive flesh of my thigh.

“Do you see what you fucking do to me?” he grunts before he bites down on my lower lip.

“Ash…”

“It’s.” Bite. “Asher.”

“Oh, God.”

I rub against his erection, needing friction. Something, anything.

I’m kissing him this time, my fingers pulling at his hair as he keeps me in place by my nape.

“And you’re kissing me.” He closes his eyes as if he’s drunk on the feeling. “Fuck how you kiss me.”

I take that as a compliment and push my tongue against the roof of his mouth.

His clutch tightens on my nape, but he doesn’t stop me.

He drags his clothed cock up and down my core, dry humping me.

My eyes flutter closed at the sensation. It’s like the world only exists in the space between us.

I can feel myself on him even though he’s clothed. I can feel how thrusting his hips into me makes him kiss me harder and faster, like this is some sort of race.

My head turns dizzy, but I meet him kiss for kiss, stroke for stroke.

I want him.

God, how I want him.

And it’s not only his body. I want his heart.

I want his forgiveness.

I want all of him.

The wave builds in intensity at the bottom of my stomach. It’s like a waterfall I’m about to fall over.

He reaches his free hand and twirls a hard, pebbled nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

“Ash…oh…God…”

I come, crying his name out loud. He claims my mouth with his to shut me up.

He kisses me, long and hard like he can’t get enough.

He shatters me then gathers me up and puts me back together.

I don’t want to stop kissing him, but I need more from him.

So much more.

I reach for his belt with unsteady hands.

“What do you want, prom queen?” he asks with an edge of amusement.

“You, Ash.”

“Reina,” he growls my name, and I swear his cock thickens even more.

He’s about to help me unbuckle his belt when a rustling sound comes from the locker room.

We both freeze.

“Who’s there?” I whisper.

Asher places a hand on my mouth. “Shh, if anyone finds us, we’ll be suspended.”

Right. He’s not supposed to be in the girls’ locker room, or screwing someone in the showers.

He helps me get down on my feet. When no other sound follows, he opens the door.

“Where are you going?” I can’t shake the disappointment out of my voice.

His eyes drag over my body, slow and with purpose. “I’ll wait for you at the car.”

At the car? He’s really leaving me like this?

“We’ll finish at home.” He winks and steps out.

Oh.

I bite my lower lip at the promise. Maybe this time, I’ll convince him to forgive me. Maybe not only will our bodies come together, our hearts will too.

Maybe, just maybe, after all these years of separation, we can find a compromise.

Because I want to be a part of Asher’s life.

I finish my shower in record time even though my skin is sensitive and heated because of the orgasm he wrenched out of me.

It doesn’t take me long to pull on my jeans, top, and shoes.

I take one last look at the mirror and pause at my flushed cheeks. A smile breaks out on my lips, genuine and…I can almost say…happy.

Happy.

I never thought that word could taste so sweet.

I throw my bag over my shoulder as I push on the door. It’s locked.

What?

I pull on it, but it doesn’t move.

They can’t close now. There are other students still on campus at this time.

The lights flicker before the locker room goes black.

I stop breathing.

No, no.

This can’t be happening. Not again.

My pulse spikes as I reach into my bag for my phone. This time, I make sure not to drop it.

I’m trembling all over, my fingers barely able to type anything.

I search for Asher’s phone number, but before I can hit it, there’s another rustling sound behind me.

I spin around, but it’s too late.

My face slams against something hard and my vision goes black.

This is what happens when you don’t play by the rules, Reina.

You lose.

Hands reach out for me as I run down a dark, filthy alley.

“Rai…”

“Go, Rai.”

“Run! You have to go.”

My heart thumps louder at that voice. I know that voice.

That voice has been caught between my heart and my ribcage for as long as I can remember.

I’ve been missing that voice from my life, and it has finally returned.

Reina?

I startle awake, my chest constricting with a frightening force.

“Reina? Are you okay?”

I’m disoriented for a second. It’s like I’m still in that alley, battling against the invisible hands coming for me.

It takes me a few blinks to realize I’m home, lying on my bed. Izzy sits beside me, wiping sweat off my forehead.

The back of my throat feels dry and scratchy. “W-what happened?”

Her brows furrow with concern. “Aren’t you supposed to tell us that?”

My throat itches as I speak. “What do you mean?”

A look of sympathy covers her features. “Asher found you passed out in the locker room at school.”

Memories crush down on my brain. Asher and me in the showers. We agreed to meet outside then…then the lights went off. Something collided with my head and then everything went black.

“Did Asher see what happened?” I ask Izzy.