“So, what’s the sleeping arrangements?” I say quietly, poking the fire with a stick. I’m wearing an oversized hoody to keep me warm. Caleb and Nikki have already retreated to their tent, zipping it up, leaving Alex and I alone. He’s sat opposite me, watching the flames flicker with an intense look in his eyes. For the past half hour, he’s remained completely silent. As soon as I speak, he lifts his head up, eyes meeting with mine.
They flash with a cheeky glint and he smirks at me — “There’s a separate sleeping bag for you but if you get cold, you can always share mine.”
I blush at his words, the thought of being so close to him causes me to shiver. It feels like something between Alex and I has shifted after today. I feel like I need to be close to him. I bite down on my lower lip as I meet his scrutinising gaze –
“I don’t get cold easily.” I reply, my lips twitching to smile wide. Alex chuckles under his breath, standing up and stretch-ing as he does so. He walks around the fire and holds one hand out to me.
“Shall we?”
I inhale sharply, my hand automatically finding its way to his. As soon as our skin touches, I feel the heat rising from my palm and spreading throughout my body. I nod, unable to respond with actual words. He gently pulls me to my feet and I drop the stick, stepping away from the fire. Alex snakes one arm around my waist, pulling me close to him.
“You know I didn’t bring you here just to have sex with you, right?” He murmurs down my ear. I nod weakly, my legs buckling underneath me from the smooth rumble to his voice.
“I know,” I whisper, the tips of my ears warming up considerably. I silently wish I was born without the ability to blush, it’s deeply embarrassing. We begin to walk towards the tent, each step increasing my nerves more than the last. It doesn’t help that his scent is completely invading all of my senses.
“Alex,” I say, pausing. I close my eyes and inhale deeply, turning towards him. When I look up at him, two beautiful eyes full of chocolate swirls stare back at me.
“Si hermosa?” He murmurs, resting his forehead against mine. His dark hair tickles me and I smile, shaking my head.
“It doesn’t matter, come on.” I tug at his hand, leading him inside but he stops me, protesting.
“I’ll sleep out here,” he says softly, his eyes full of understanding. He gently lets go of my hand, dropping his own back down to his side.
“You’re going to sleep with all the spiders and snakes?” I question him and he smiles, shrugging.
“I can handle a few spiders and snakes but if I need you to rescue me, I’ll scream.” He winks, taking another step back. The distance created between us causes me to rethink my choice and I bite down on my lower lip, reaching out for his hand again.
“You’re coming with me,” I breathe out, intertwining our fingers together. He lifts one eyebrow in surprise but doesn’t question me as I lead him through the flaps of the tent entrance. Inside, two sleeping bags are set up on each end. My heart begins hammering inside my chest and I’ve never felt this nervous being with someone before.
With Alex, everything feels different.
Without warning, he pulls me towards his chest, wrapping one arm around my back. With his free hand, his fingers trail down my jawline, igniting my skin up with flames. I suck in a breath as his fingers gently lift my chin up so I’m looking directly at him. He searches my eyes for a few seconds before speaking —
“I want you to be sure about this Ariana.”
“I’m sure,” I reply immediately, my hands finding their way to the waistband of his jeans. His body stills underneath my touch and I watch as he visibly shivers, thick lashes fluttering closed.
“If we do this, I want you to know something.” He murmurs, head dipping low into the crook of my neck. His lips trail over the sensitive skin and I bite down to stop myself from gasping out loud.
“What do you want me to know?” I ask, struggling to think straight.
“I want you to be mine hermosa. I’ve never known a single soul to be as beautiful as you. I crave your presence, your touch, your everything.” He whispers in between kisses. My legs weaken underneath me but his hand is already waiting to hold me up. He treats me so gently, his own body moulding against mine. I open my mouth to reply to him but an ear deafening noise fills the air. I spring backwards, eyes wide with fear. Alex immediately whirls around, his shoulders tense.
“Was that…” I whisper, my breath trembling.
“A gunshot.” Alex finishes off, his voice low. When he turns to look at me, his eyes are full of danger with a hint of fear. He immediately reaches inside the back of his jeans, pulling out a gun.
“A-Alex,” I stutter but my words are silenced my another loud gunshot. It’s so close, it feels like the earth beneath me is shaking from the force. Everything happens within seconds, too fast for me to process. I freeze in fear, letting out a scream but it’s soon muffled by Alex’s hand. He’s gripping onto me tightly, his arms holding me up to stop me from col-lapsing to the ground. His lips meet my ear and he speaks in a low, hushed whisper.
“Hermosa, please be silent.”
I nod my head in agreement, whimpering under his hand. He quickly moves my body so I’m behind him, his own shield-ing me away from the entrance.
“Thank you baby,” he murmurs, satisfied with my response. His arm lifts up, aiming the gun, waiting.
“Caleb… Nikki…” I whisper, my breath trembling in fright. I can feel my heart pounding against my chest, the sound of it echoing through my ears. In front of me, Alex’s body freezes at the mention of his best friend and girlfriend. Outside, eve-rything is eerily silent. It’s almost like both of the gunshots didn’t happen but I can still hear the noise echoing through my mind.
“I have to go check it out, I have to.” Alex says, his voice strained. I shake my head, grabbing onto his arm.
“You can’t Alex, it’s too dangerous.” I plead with him but he shakes his head, his eyebrows creased with distress. “Caleb…” he says quietly, repeating his name over and over again under his breath. He spins around, his eyes darting left and right as he struggles to come up with a plan.
“Ariana, you have to stay here. Zip the tent up, okay? I don’t have a spare gun but I’ll be outside the entire time. I won’t let anyone near you. I have to see if Caleb’s alive.” Alex say quickly, speaking too quickly for me to register his words. I nod and grasp onto the back of his hair, pulling him down and slamming my lips against his. He kisses me back just as fiercely, leaving all traces of himself behind.
When he pulls back, I barely get a chance to look at him before he disappears out of the tent, gun firmly in hand. I scurry forward and zip the tent up as he said, listening carefully for any noises. My hands tremble in fright but I force myself to remain calm and think rationally.
Another gunshot fills the air and my sanity along with any rational thoughts completely slip away.