Elian barely made it through the door before he felt the overwhelming wave of emotion crashing over him. His heart raced in his chest, every thudding beat reminding him of the kiss, of Rylan's touch. He had run, had tried to escape, but the memory clung to him like a shadow, impossible to shake.
He hadn't even bothered to change out of his clothes. He couldn't focus long enough to think about anything other than the burning sensation Rylan had left on his lips. Every breath he took was heavy, thick with the taste of what he'd just endured. The way Rylan had kissed him, how he had made him feel so exposed and powerless.
His hands shook slightly as he unbuttoned his shirt, but it wasn't enough to stop the images from flooding his mind. Rylan's eyes, dark and predatory, tracing every inch of him as they kissed. His lips pressing against Elian's with an intensity that left him breathless, trembling.
The sound of the water in the bathroom was the only thing that could break through the fog in his mind, so Elian stumbled to the shower, desperate for some sort of release. Some way to cleanse himself of the sensations that still clung to him.
Under the rushing water, he stood still for a moment, feeling the cool spray hit his skin, but it didn't feel cold. No. Instead, it felt like a reminder of Rylan's touch—his hands on his waist, pulling him closer, feeling the heat of Rylan's body pressing against his. Even with the water washing over him, Elian couldn't escape the imprint of Rylan's fingers, the way they had brushed over his skin with almost possessive familiarity.
Elian closed his eyes, trying to steady himself, but his breath came out ragged. He couldn't stop thinking about Rylan. He couldn't shake the way his lips had tasted, the intensity of the kiss. It was as if Rylan had left his mark on him, and no matter how much Elian scrubbed, no matter how much he tried to distance himself, he couldn't rid himself of the sensation. It was there, lingering, suffocating him from within.
The steam from the shower made the air thick and heavy around him. His body tensed, feeling the burn of the hot water against his skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat that had flared inside him during the kiss. Elian couldn't help but wonder—what was it about Rylan that had made him feel this way? Was it just the power he exuded? Or was there something deeper?
He wasn't sure if it was fear or desire coursing through him, but he knew one thing for sure—Rylan's touch had left him trembling, and nothing felt the same anymore. He had been kissed before, of course, but not like this. There was no comparison to the way Rylan had consumed him with that single act.
He leaned against the cool tiles, letting the water run over him, trying to push away the thoughts, the memories. But it was impossible. They lingered in his mind, refusing to let go. His lips tingled, as though Rylan's kiss was still there, burned into his memory. The pressure of Rylan's hands, the way his body had pressed so close—he could still feel it.
It wasn't just the kiss. It was the way Rylan had looked at him, the intensity in his eyes, the way he had seemed to strip him bare without even touching him. The desire in Rylan's gaze had been palpable, and for a moment, Elian had wondered if he had wanted it too—if the feelings Rylan had stirred in him weren't just one-sided.
But no. That was a dangerous line of thinking. Elian shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He couldn't afford to go down that path. He couldn't let Rylan win.
But even as the water washed over him, Elian couldn't shake the feeling that Rylan was still with him—still touching him, even in his most private moments.
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