Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,153

know how he neglects his appetite when in the throes of work." If Jules and I were friends, I would have kissed her in thanks. But we weren’t. So instead, I nodded.

"Yes, Mistress." I gave one last look to Huxley. Of all of them, I needed his reassurance the most. He was the least affectionate. I doubted he even liked me most days. But if he could give me some sign that it would all be alright, then maybe, just maybe, I could curb the fear long enough to survive.

His hard stare met mine, and I lost hope for a brief moment. Then, his eyes softened. His pure juniper gaze looked at me with such adoration, such fierce, protective love, that it was near impossible to doubt his feelings for me. I gave him a brief nod in understanding before excusing myself. My chest was tight with the emotions I was too numb to process.

I escaped to Jules’ suite, and once there, took five minutes to pinch my thigh and control my breathing. This was unlike anything I felt in the Stonewell Home. Seeing my guys but not being able to touch or talk to them was torture. It wasn't the reunion I wanted, and it threatened to break the confidence I had slowly built up over the last few months. It was so simple in Dormas. I regretted not stealing every moment. Kissing them. Loving them. Saying all the hidden words that begged to break free. If I could go back, I wouldn't waste a second.

The door opened and Kemper strolled inside without a care. I opened my mouth to greet him. To ask if he was okay. To cry out that I missed him and beg that he figure out a way to get us out of this mess. But before I got the chance, he placed a firm hand behind my neck and connected his lips with mine. His mouth moved with such barely-contained passion, that I sunk into the force of his kiss and pressed my body to his. After a few moments, I opened my mouth to warn him that someone could walk in on us, but he took that as an invitation to explore. His tongue pushed into my mouth, and he alternated between tasting and biting my lips.

His hands held tightly to my waist, as if afraid I would slip through his fingers. There was no tentativeness. No fear or control. Kemper let loose, and I got swept up in the storm of his chaotic passion.

I brushed my fingers over his back, his chest. I drifted lower to the hem of his shirt and moved my hands under the soft material so I could feel his skin. I traced my fingers over the dips and grooves of his muscles. While deepening the kiss, his hands explored the curve of my butt and lightly squeezed me tighter against him, causing my teal Walker uniform to rise up, revealing my shaking thighs. All the emotions of the last few days collided within us. Without words, Kemper showed me his concern, his fear, his love. This was the reunion I wanted, and he broke all the rules to give it to me.

"You have to stop, someone will see," I urged after I finally tore myself free and adjusted my dress. I tried to keep the tremble from my voice, but failed. I was too shaken from our kiss. Too moved by the love in his touch.

"I don't care, Ash," he mumbled before trailing soft kisses along my neck. His lips found my collarbone, and he began lightly biting along the cut line of my bone. Kemper's hands then cupped my cheeks as he peered into my eyes. It was too much. I felt tears well up, and I crumbled under his adoring gaze.

"I don't care what the rules are here, okay? I'll break them all to be with you. I'll keep you safe. We’ll play nice for now, but we have a plan in motion. Besides, plenty of Holders in Ethros have physical relationships with their Walkers. We can use that to get around the rules. I don’t want you out of our sight." I wanted to feel comforted by his words, but his last statement made me freeze.

"I'm sure he already thinks I'm your plaything, Kemp. Here, that's all a Walker could ever hope to be, right? It’s good enough for a Walker. And then what? When will Cavil let us go? Am I just