Awake Read Online Free Page A

go on for far too long with very little physical contact. She wanted to take things further, had for a while now, but I couldn’t rush anything with her and risk it burning out.
    Reaching out, I gently grabbed her hips and brought her closer. Her hands fell on my chest, and she splayed her fingers, running them over my shoulders. Yes, she had definitely done this before.
    I leaned in and my heart went wild as I felt her breath across my lips. This was uncharted territory but being this close to her, having my hands on her and hers on me, felt so natural it scared me. The feelings I had for her were almost so overwhelming I wanted to run and hide from them. I understood love; I felt it for a multitude of people, but this was different. This was confusing, exciting, terrifying and so, so strong already.
    I closed the inch between us when I couldn’t stand it anymore. Her lips were smooth and soft and melded to mine perfectly. Scarlett was warm and felt like home. It was more than I had ever imagined.
    Her hands found their way into my hair, and I pulled her tighter against my body. I grazed her bottom lip with my tongue, and she twisted her fingers through the light strands at the back of my head. My heart hammered every second I kissed her. We pulled away at the same time.
    I saw, for the first time, that she was the light.
    “So… Batman Returns then?” I asked, clearing my throat and holding onto her. I tried to control my breathing and my erratic heart rate so she wouldn’t know just how much she had affected me.
    Nodding with a show-stopping smile, she replied, “Good film.”
    I gave her a chaste kiss and let go. “Get comfortable. I’ll put it on.”
    Scarlett sat closer to me when I got on the bed. Before we left a small gap between us but now her arm was firmly pressed against mine. I wanted her closer and further away at the same time.
    “Ready to experience a movie night?” she asked as the film started.
    My arm was itching to be around her. I could smell her berry shampoo; it was as confusing as it was comforting.
    “I’m ready,” I replied, lying. Whatever was going on between us was real, and I was definitely not ready for that.
     

     
    IT WAS ALMOST Easter, and I found out just how much Scarlett loved the holiday. Her room was full of decorative eggs, chicks and rabbits. Light blue and yellow banners hung twisted around each other on the wall above her bed.
    Her enthusiasm was both cute and addictive. Since we got together officially, my parents had kept an eye on us from afar, and hers had been… Well, less far. As much as I wanted to spend time with her completely alone and uninterrupted, I understood why her parents had a door wide-open rule.
    She lay against my side as we watched Transformers . Movie days had sort of become our tradition. I grew up without TV, so Scarlett was determined to show me what I had missed out on. I still preferred to be outside but I did love spending time with her – whatever we were doing.
    “I remember playing with Transformers when I was little. Me and Finn used to fight over who got the yellow one. At least I think it was those.”
    She looked up from where she was resting on my shoulder. “I can’t imagine you and Finn fighting, you’re so close.”
    “Believe me, we used to. What about you and Jeremy?”
    “We got along better when we were little. I’m not sure if we fought before the accident. We probably did.”
    I watched her for a minute, taking in the darkness of her midnight blue eyes. They were unusual, beautiful.
    “What? You still think I’m weird for not remembering, don’t you?” she asked.
    “No, of course not. I find it strange that you don’t want to remember but not that you can’t.”
    Sitting up her posture became defensive. “I do want to, but I can’t do it. I’ve tried a few times over the years, and it just ends up with me getting so frustrated that I feel like I’m going crazy. It hurts to try, Noah. Physically, too. It