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Whatever she had expected behind the metal door, it wasn't an arcade full of mannequins. She prided herself on being unflappable but she couldn't help letting out a coughing laugh at the sight of Frank straddling a mannequin.
"Not a fucking word, Bell." Frank said as he scanned the arcade. She rolled her eyes, moving further into the room with her rifle pointed ahead, just in case one of those plastic men turned out to be a living person, waiting to leap out and blow holes through them.
Woods followed close behind, a shadow clinging to her side…watching. He was always watching her. Even now she could feel his gaze burrowing into her back, leaving behind a phantom itch. She turned her head, looking over her shoulder and catching him in the act. He averted his eyes quickly, pretending to scan the arcade.
She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to get him to look back at her and acknowledge her. No such luck. Instead, he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and forced a cough before moving further into the room. Free to stare at him now, she let her eyes travel over his wide shoulders and strong forearms. She didn’t dislike his staring, if she was being honest with herself she could admit she enjoyed it. She shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help herself. Something about his eyes lingering on her body awakened something deep within her.
She pressed on, comforted by his presence even as a twinge of guilt rose in her. What would Russell think if he knew how much she enjoyed Frank’s company? If he knew she found him attractive and sometimes even fantasized about him. How good would it feel to touch him…to have him reach out to her and run a hand down the side of her cheek…
He’d be mad, jealous.
She pushed the thought away, it didn’t matter, fantasies were private thoughts. Nothing that she would actually pursue and therefore nothing to worry about.
She looked over at him again. Lately he’d been trying to talk to her more, specifically when they were alone. He’d start to say something then stop, second guessing himself. The first couple of times she ignored it but it bothered her now. He clearly had something he wanted to say but couldn't seem to force out. Did she want to hear what he would say to her?
Yes and no. She could admit there was attraction between them, he was a handsome man, she was an attractive woman. They spent a lot of time together. Attraction was normal. What was harder to admit was the early signs of feelings, feelings that could grow should she choose to allow them but that was not an option.
She couldn’t betray Russell, she loved him and they had years of history together. Even considering a new relationship was a disservice to the man she owed everything to.
And still loved. She reminded herself sternly.
Suitably shamed, she scanned the empty room. There was something intensely eerie about the emptiness of this place. The presence of the mannequins gave the lack of people a sinister undertone.
She pushed one over, just to assure herself that it was in fact inanimate. For a second, just the tiny moment between when she pushed it and it fell she thought it would reach out and grab her.
The mannequin hit the ground with a hard thud, face down, wobbled back and forth then stopped and didn’t move again.
Too many pulp novels, she chastised herself even as relief rushed through her. Reading that garbage made you jump at shadows, the real horrors were never so fantastical and lascivious.
A flash of light caught her eye, she turned on her heel, pointing the muzzle of her rifle forward and braced for impact when her eyes settled on the source. One of the arcade games was on, the display blinking on and off.
She glanced at Woods, he’s looking around but in no hurry to move. Carefully keeping his eyes off of her.
Feeling a little foolish she let her rifle hang on its strap, muzzle pointed to the ground and slid her hands on the controls, lingering for a moment then pressed the start button. The screen lit up and she felt a guilty smile tugging at her lips.
“Hey, see if you can get a high score.” Woods laughed, coming from behind her to watch.
High score? Why not? She smirked, waiting on the menu to load.
She started up the game, trying to ignore the feel Woods hovering over her as she played. He kept himself just inside her personal space. Close without actually touching her.
Heat radiated off of him, his warmth joining hers and she was painfully aware of his hand resting right next to hers on the buttons. So close she could almost feel him.
She swallowed, suddenly shy and overheated. Caged in and surrounded by his arms... She was warm and feverish with anticipation, heating up just thinking about him reaching out and touching her…
Russell wouldn’t like it, she thinks suddenly. Wouldn’t like Frank getting so close to her and he really wouldn’t like knowing that she liked it and for a moment she hoped he would take his hand and lay it on her hip.
But it was just a moment, not like she really wanted anything to go further than an indulgent fantasy...
She continues to play the game even though she is distracted by his nearness, distracted by the uncomfortable heat that has settled in her stomach. A sharp spasm of arousal shot through her abdomen as he shifted behind her, his beard prickling against her ear.
“It’s not right what he’s doing.” Woods said suddenly, voice harsh and clipped in her ear.
“What?” She looked up from the pixelated screen to find him hovering right behind her, so close they could be touching if she took too deep of a breath.
“Whatever you and Russell have going on…it’s…” She watches him visibly struggle with his next words and can feel herself growing annoyed.
“It’s what?” She turned to face him, butt resting against the arcade game, the music still playing.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Let’s get moving.”
“No, I want to know what you were going to say.” She said, although in truth she may not know the exact words he was going to use, she did know what he was going to say. She knew it was wrong for her to be still sleeping with Russell but they had history together, shared trauma together…they understood each other on a deep level that went beyond how well they worked together.
She belonged with Russell, she felt it in her bones despite the inappropriate nature of their fraternization.
Woods hesitates again, mouth pressed in a firm line before speaking. “Forget it.”
Forget it? She’d love to forget the worrying thread of doubt that had long been building in her but she can’t. It was easy to pretend nothing bothered her during the day but not so easy when he’s saying out loud what she’d been beginning to feel herself.
“He’s not married anymore.” She blurted out, blushing furiously, possessed by an inane need to defend herself. “And he’s not really my CO…it’s just for this mission. I’m retired.”
“It’s not that.” He said, shifting on his feet and she wondered if he even realizes that he’s moving closer to her.
“Then what?” She asked, letting him crowd her, butt resting against the arcade game with her arms at her sides.
His eyes widened slightly and he furrowed his brow when his chest bumped against hers. Lightly, not quite pressing against her but a solid presence.
The air is tense and uncomfortable between them. Neither of them seem to be able to move despite the uncomfortable silence.
She regrets pushing him, regrets not letting him drop it. She should turn away from him and move on but she can’t seem to pull herself away. Can’t seem to make herself turn away because there is this…thing between them. A thing that she doesn’t have a name for but it’s there and holding her still.
She feels too warm, her heart thumps loudly in her chest. Each pump pushed her blood, hot and feverish through her body and overheated her further.
Something is happening between them, a sense that both of them are on the verge of speaking yet no one says a word. He stands over her, forcing her to crane her neck to look up at him. His body tense, seemingly frozen in place and now it’s her turn to move closer. Even though there is almost no space between them she manages to close the distance between them. Touching without really touching, the thick layers of clothing and gear provided kept them from truly touching but despite that she can feel his hard body pressing against hers.
His body, solid and warm, pressed against hers. It feels…nice but that’s secondary to what she’s really feeling.
There is a heat growing inside her, growing beyond arousal, though that’s part of it, it seems less important. Superficial.
He feels it too, she realizes suddenly. That’s why he can’t turn away, that’s why he’s looking at her with undisguised longing in his eyes and why he can’t help but press himself against her. That thing between them, an unnamed force pulling them closer together.
She reaches up and pulls her balaclava up over her mouth, tilting her face up to him. His lips are pressed against hers before she realizes he leaned in for the kiss. His beard is rough against her face but his lips are soft and firm. He opens his mouth to hers, and she tentatively follows his lead, overcome by shyness. His arms encircle her, hands settle on her hips, pulling her hard enough against him that she feels his groin pressing against hers through their clothes.
His tongue slips between the seam of her slightly parted lips. The feel of his tongue pressing against hers sends a startling bolt of excitement through her. He pressed harder but she pulls away, jerking her face back and laying her hands firmly on his chest.
“Don’t…” She said then hesitates, palm flat against his chest but not pushing him away.
Don’t what? She’s not sure but a spasm of regret staggers through her at the look of disappointment on his face. He nods curtly, lips pressed into a firm line and starts to turn away but she closes her fists on his chest, grabbing hold of his harness. She yanks him back down, rising to her toes and tilting up until her lips hover against his.
“Don’t tell Russell.” She whispers and kisses him again, this time parting her lips to him. This time when his tongue touches hers she moans, overwhelmed by the surge of arousal that fills her. She’s still gripping the straps of his harness, holding on tight as though she was afraid if she releases him she'll push him away again.
His hands come to rest at her hips and he slowly grinds himself against her. She expects him to grab her with brushing force, push her against the arcade game and yank her pants down but he keeps his hands firmly on her hips. Holding her without crushing her under his grip, grinding lazily into her without pushing her back into the arcade booth. His kiss is soft, tender and her whole body seems to fill with warmth, building up from her toes to her hairline.
He pulls away before she’s ready, leaving her balancing on the balls of her feet and tilting up to him as he steps back. He gives her hips a light squeeze before releasing her and gently runs the back of his knuckles lightly down her cheek, lingering for a moment before dropping down to his side.
“We should get moving.” He cleared his throat and grabbed at the front of his jeans, awkwardly shifting to accommodate his erection.
She narrowed her eyes at him, staring at his groin and wondering why he didn’t push her up against game and fuck her right there.
Because he’s not Russell, she thinks suddenly.
Thinking about Russell is like a splash of cold water on her face. This was a mistake, a momentary lapse in judgment due to stress. She slipped her balaclava back over her mouth and nodded to him, shifting her grip on her rifle.
“Let’s go.”
Just a momentary lapse in judgment…