Unspoken Rules (Rules 2)

There goes the power.

We thought the fire would be enough, but we were wrong. We can barely see anything apart from the living room. I don’t know why we thought that one tiny fire would be enough to light up this freaking mansion. I stare out into the gloom.

“Wow, we really can’t see shit.” He states the obvious. “I’m going to get the candles. Mind giving me a hand?”

“I’m right behind you.”

I watch him get up and do the same. I try following him, but I lose him barely two steps into the kitchen. Why’d he have to walk so fast? I can barely see one inch in front of me, so how is his silhouette, that’s dressed in black, going to make it any easier?

“Haze?” I let out a nervous laugh.

I hear footsteps getting closer but can’t seem to figure out which side they’re coming from.

I hear a light scoff.

“Stop, it’s not funny.”

“You scared of the dark, Kingston?”

I can’t locate his voice.

“No,” I lie.

I swear I will never admit that I run to my bed after turning off the lights. I’ll take that secret to the grave.

“Well, you’re definitely scared of something.”

“I’m not.”

I jump, feeling a presence behind me. I have no idea how he could even find me in this cave. My heartbeat goes from uneven to nonexistent when he presses his torso to my back and circles my waist with his arm. Slowly, he leans in until his mouth is next to my ear.

“Then why are you so tense?” he whispers.

Static and electricity linger everywhere he lays his fingers.

“Personal space, ever heard of it?”

He snorts. “Right, sorry.”

Without a warning, he grips my waist with both his hands and spins me around to make me face him. He’s even closer.

“Is this better?” he taunts.

“I… I don’t know.” I almost choke on the words.

Damn it, Winter, speak!

A faint streak of moonlight peeking through the partially covered window allows me to see his chiseled features.

“Well, what does your gut tell you?”

“My gut gets me in trouble. I’ve learned not to trust it anymore.” My voice comes out in a murmur.

“Why? I always follow mine.” He seems intrigued.

“And it’s always right?”

“Yes,” he says.