Inseparable

by Siobhan Davis

Life is just a flow of interconnecting moments in time. A combination of well-thought-out actions and spontaneous reactions. A sequence of events and people moving in and out of your personal stratosphere.

He pulls our linked hands to his chest, right over the spot where his heart beats—steady and sturdy, vibrating under the tips of my fingers. His response startles me. “Sometimes I do.” Waves of hurt lash me, and instinctively I try to wrench my hand away, but he holds on to it, placing it flat over his heart. “But not for the reasons you think, and don’t worry, I’m far too selfish to ever let you go.” He scoots over beside me, until there is barely any space between us. All the air seems to get sucked out of the room. He continues to hold my hand over his chest, and, with his other hand, he cups my face. “I want you to know something, but I don’t want you to react. I just want you to take these words and hold them close to your heart, because, if anything should happen to me, I would hate for you to not know this.” “Dev—” He leans in and kisses me. It’s quick, no more than a fleeting brush of his lips against mine, but, gosh, it’s everything. My lips are on fire, and it’s spreading, heating every single part of me. I don’t know what it means. If it means anything at all. Devin doles out kisses as freely as God doles out forgiveness. “Shush, Ange.” He brushes his thumb over my lower lip, and I dread to think what emotions are showing on my face right now. “No reaction, remember.” I can only nod, fighting another blush. “You’re the most important person in my world. For all time. Even when you think you aren’t, know that you are. Even when I can’t show you or say all I want ...

throat. “Lucas said he knows I’m yours. What exactly does that mean?” I’m pleased my voice rings out loud and confident.

I hold his gaze as he moves ever so slowly toward me. He stops directly in front of me, and I look up at him. His hair is styled in a faux hawk today, and he looks hotter than ever. A layer of light stubble coats his jawline, and I give in to the urge to touch him. My fingers trace lightly over his five o’clock shadow. Closing his eyes, he emits a strangled moan that turns my limbs to Jell-O. Reaching up, he places his hand over mine. His eyes open, and he stares deep into my eyes. I stop breathing at the blatant look of desire on his face. Ohmigawd. Ohmigawd.

He curls his free hand around the back of my neck, his fingers twisting in my hair. “I’m not strong enough tonight,” he whispers. “Not when I need you. And I need you so bad, Ange. I can’t deny this any longer, even though I should.” My heart is literally in my mouth...

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Ange. Inside and out.” His fingers dip under the hem of my shirt, and the feel of his warm hand on my skin causes my knees to buckle. He strengthens his hold, and his eyes flare black as he stares at me. The heat from his body seeps into mine, and the throbbing between my legs is almost painful. If he pulls away this time, I might have to knee him in the nuts. “I’ve waited a long time to do this,” he admits, “and I can’t wait a second longer.” Then his lips crash onto mine, and I’m drowning in Devin’s kisses.

I cross my arms over my chest, my head spinning. “If you’re not going to UI, then where are you going? What are you planning to do?” “I’ve joined the marines.” My jaw slackens. “You did what?” If he told me he joined the Bolshoi Ballet I wouldn’t have been any more surprised. “Cam pulled some strings, and he got me in. After training, I’m being deployed overseas for an initial stint.” I drop to the ground on my butt, barely feeling the sharp pain skittering up my spine. Tears prick my eyes. “You’re leaving me too?” And, yes, the prize for most selfish goes to me. He winces. “Never. I’ll always be with you even if I’m not physically present.” “You promised you’d always be there for me,” I whisper, looking at him as reality gives me a swift kick in the rear. “You promised, and now you’re leaving as well.” I choke on an anguished sob. He sinks to his knees in front of me, pulling me into his warm chest. I should resist but I’m numb. “Lina, I’m sorry you’re hurt. You’re the last person I want to upset, but I need to do this for me. I need to … find who I really am, and I can’t do that here under Dad’s constant shadow. I have to break free.” The numbness spreads, infecting every part of me. My voice sounds eerily calm as I ask the next question. “When do you leave?” He cups my face, tilting my head up to him. His lips collide with mine in a fierce, desperate kiss. I can’t summon the effort to kiss him back. I’m too distraught. Resting his forehead on mine, he breaths heavily as...

Mariah looks sideways and gasps, her eyes popping wide. “Holy shit!” she cusses. “I don’t believe it.” Before I can question her or see what’s captured her attention, Tyler lands in front of me, blocking my view. “You’re Angelina, right?” He blasts me with a devastating smile. “Yes, and you’re Tyler.” His grin expands. “You’ve heard of me.” Hard not to notice when his eyes seem to follow me everywhere these days. He’s watched me from a distance the last few times we’ve been at the frat, but this is the first time he’s plucked up the courage to approach me. I’ve noticed him leaving every other party with a different girl on his arm, and even without the Ayden complication, I’ve no desire to be another notch on his bedpost. “Would you like to dance or get a drink or even get out of here?” He turns his hand palm up in invitation, his eyes glinting suggestively. I tuck my hair behind my ears, preparing to put Tyler firmly back in his box. “Actually, I—” “She’s spoken for.” The deep masculine voice is low, the tone suffused with warning. Everything goes on high alert inside me. A warm hand lands on my arm, sending delicious tingles over my skin, and my knees buckle underneath me. His arm encircles my waist from behind, helping steady me. My lower lip is wobbling, and my heart is thudding wildly in my chest. Butterflies swarm my stomach, and every limb in my body is shaking uncontrollably. “Who the fuck are you?” Tyler demands to know, his cocky, confident swagger replaced by a ...

You can be surrounded by people and still be the loneliest creature in existence.