The storm rumbles through me and I want it to consume me. I toss my head back as he trails kisses along my neck. He lays me across the back seat as he hovers over me. I want his body pressed against mine.
He closes in on my neck and lightly trails his tongue under my ear, sending crashing waves down my body. I ignore the voice telling me to fight the tempest, and the power of the storm sweeps me away.
He pulls back and his eyes pierce mine as we breathe heavy. “I want you so bad right now,” he says, but his words are tinged with sorrow instead of need.
“I know,” I say between jagged breaths, my senses returning. “But it can’t be like this. You’re emotionally charged right now.”
“I just want something to make me forget for a little while.” He straightens out my shirt and cradles my face in his hands, kissing me hard and quick. “I’m sure they’re all wondering where we are.”
Everyone is gathered in the kitchen and dining room when we walk through the door. Alana runs out and enfolds Jason in her arms. He hugs her with his other arm, refusing to release my hand. Time falls away as they weep together.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” he says, the mutual grieving subsiding for now. “I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t mean to leave you alone.”
“It’s okay.” She lets go and pecks kisses all over his face.
“I just needed Sara. I should have said something.”
“Honey, you found your dad. I understand wanting to get out of here.” She turns to me with tear-stained cheeks and red eyes, sniffling. “Thank you for sending everyone over.”
I draw her into an embrace. “I’m sorry about Mike.”
“Thank you, honey.” She releases me, kissing my cheek in the process. “Are you hungry?” she asks us.
She’s the nurse, the caretaker, with her head on straight in the midst of a crisis, being strong for everyone in the room instead of falling apart. He gets it from her.
“No. Arissa made me a sandwich,” Jason answers.
We head into the dining room where Dad, Felix, and Shelly offer Jason their condolences and hugs. He returns them with his free arm, still refusing to release my hand.
Shelly and Mom work in the kitchen for the next few hours making dishes for Alana and Jason that they can reheat later. Alana sits with Felix and Dad at the table, talking in subdued voices. Arissa and Damian turn on a movie in the TV room, Jason decides to join them, but doesn’t pay attention to the movie. He hides his face on my shoulder once more as we hold each other.
The Rivens, along with Damian, leave a few hours later after the kitchen is cleaned up and the food stored in the fridge and freezer. Mom and Dad get ready to take Arissa home after setting plans with Alana for tomorrow.
“Can Sara stay?” Jason asks them, clutching my hand like he’s afraid we’ll be separated. “I’ll bring her home by whatever time you want her home.”
Mom gives him a comforting smile. The one I saw the day they moved in. “Sweetie, she doesn’t have a curfew anymore, remember? Just bring her home when she’s ready.”
I snicker and turn away.
He squeezes my hand, letting me know he heard. “Laughing at me?”
“I’m laughing next to you,” I quip, then glance at Mom. “I’ll see you at home.”
“Alana, we’ll see you tomorrow,” she says on their way to the door.
Jason stares at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Laughing at my consideration?”
“Laughing because you forgot I don’t have a curfew anymore.”
“Forgive me for being forgetful.” The corners of his mouth curl up, his eyes spark, and he presses his lips to my hand, acknowledging his understanding of my levity.
“I could forgive you for anything, J.”
“Well, I’ve done some stupid things in my time.”
“Yes, you have.”
“You didn’t have to agree,” he says, the delicate grin still on display, able to break at any moment.
“Was there something you wanted to do?”
“Not really. I just wasn’t ready to let go of you yet.”
“Movie marathon? Board games?”
“Movies? I need a distraction.”
I say nothing about him missing the entire movie Arissa turned on.
We head back to the TV room and Jason grabs the remote. He sits against the arm of the sofa, stretching his leg out. I lean back against him as he uses the remote to turn on the TV, switching to the digital storage for their DVD catalog.