TWISTED STUBBORN LOVE

As I prepared to undo his belt, he suddenly pulled back with such force that I stumbled forward, dazed by the abrupt loss of connection. My body ached, my nipples felt like needles, and even the slightest breeze sent shivers down my skin. But as the intense sensations faded, I saw Alex staring at me with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "Damn it," he muttered, raking a hand through his hair, his scowl intense enough to intimidate. "Damn it, damn it, damn it." "Alex—" I began. "No, no." He pressed the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. "This isn't just about Josh – although that's not all of it." "What then?" I asked, my cheeks flushed. "Do you want me?" I knew he did; I could feel it, not just in the obvious tension beneath his clothes, but also in the way our moment had left an undeniable residue. While Josh's wrath might be imminent if he found out, we had months before he returned to D.C. "We can figure something out," I thought. "It's us, together," he continued, his gaze unwavering. "It won't work. Whatever dreams you have of us, put them aside. That kiss was a mistake – it won't happen again."