Running
She was running, branches whipping at her arms, the forest floor biting into her bare feet. Her knee-length white dress wrapping around her legs with every step as the wind blows her dark brown hair around her face. Everything hurt, her lungs burned gasping for air, her legs ached needing to rest, but she didn't dare stop. Her breath came sharp and fast, each exhale a puff of heat in the cold night air.
Something was behind her and she felt like it almost enjoyed the chase. The moonlight broke through the canopy in pale streaks, painting her skin silver as she darted between trees. She didn’t know where she was or where she was going. All that mattered is that she got away.
A snap of twigs echoed, heavy footsteps matching her rhythm. Whoever he was, he wasn’t losing ground. Her pulse thrummed, yes she felt fear but there was also a tinge of something hotter...heavier. she couldn't think about that though.
Suddenly strong fingers caught her wrist, spinning her back against the rough bark of a tree. She gasped, her chest heaving as pain shot through her body. Then she met his eyes. Dark, unyielding, yet burning with a heat that mirrored the fire racing through her veins. His body hovered just close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating off him, caging her without touching.
“You are quite fast,” he murmured, voice low and steady, as though he had all the time in the world. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her heart pounded so loud she was sure he could hear it. He leaned in, his breath ghosting over her ear, “But not fast enough.”
He pushed her harder, back pressed into the tree, rough bark biting through the thin fabric of her dress, hard enough to leave impressions. She pulled her hands trying to get away from his grip, but he didn’t budge. His strength was overwhelming, a wall of heat and muscle pinning her in place.
“Let me go,” she snapped, trying to sound defiant despite the tremor in her voice. His hand slid from her wrist to her jaw, tilting her face up until their eyes locked.
“I caught you fair and square. Besides this forest is teeming with predators much more dangerous than me,” he said softly. She huffed, rolling her eyes “I’d rather take my chances with them.” The corner of his mouth curved, but there was nothing gentle about it. “Your body tells a different story.” Her breath hitched when he leaned closer, his lips grazing just shy of hers, one of his hands moving down her body. "You're trembling...and it's not just from fear." His hand moved lower while his lips pressed against hers. She tried to turn her head, tried to keep the wall between them, but he followed every movement, forcing her gaze back to his. His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth, slow and deliberate, sending an unwelcome shiver through her. “Keep fighting it makes this so much more enjoyable,” he whispered, though his grip only grew firmer, making it clear it wasn't going to change anything. She hated the way her body betrayed her, the way her heartbeat stuttered when his breath tickled her skin, the way heat coiled in her stomach no matter how her mind screamed to resist. When he pressed closer, his hips snug against her body, she gasped. She could feel just how excited he was and even with how scared she was she could feel her body respond. His nearness was overwhelming, his presence suffocating and intoxicating all at once. When his lips finally claimed hers, hard and unrelenting, she tried to push him off with her body. A blush filled her cheeks but she wouldn't give up..not yet. So she bit his lip making him hiss in pain.
