Bitter Fruits Read Online Free Page A

the two of us to keep me from complaining.
    “Do you trust me Nora?” Alec asks.
    “I barely know you.”
    “Do you want to know me? Because I want to know you. Every inch of you.”
    He moves even closer and the same electricity is there between us, linking me to him while my mind tries to reason with my body. His lips brush mine and, with that, my body is his; still, he does not do more than kiss me lightly. Comfort and frustration mingle in the touch of his lips. Knowing nothing about Alec doesn’t matter; there is nothing I can do now that I have met him. He feels like a memory that I had long forgotten.
    “Yes, I do. Trust you and want to know you,” I tell him, pulling him down on top of me and letting his hands begin their exploration. He slips my sweatshirt over my head and kisses along my breasts, my entire body needing more of him but afraid to beg. His lips caress my collarbone and neck; I feel the same sharp twinge that I felt outside of the church. I push him back and see his fangs, this time glinting in the moonlight.
    “Do you always wear them?” I ask.
    “It’s a bit more complicated than that,” he says.
    “Ugh. Are you one of those people so enraptured by fantasy that you had your teeth permanently capped? Lame,” I tease, ignoring the fact that I am still turned on despite this absurd character flaw. There is something so animalistic in his touch, so primal in my urges. Within seconds of being near Alec, I lose all sense of the world and just want to be touched. I hate girls who lose themselves in men, but this is not the same. I am aware of every decision I am making, of every part of myself that I am giving to him; what is different for me is that I want to give him even more than he is demanding.
    “We do not always make the right choices in our youth,” he says.
    I let him bite me. The fangs don’t break the skin but the possibility is there. When his lips reach mine, I feel my body ignite; his tongue tempts me and I want to take this further. I am growing wet and excited and his hands on my breasts aren’t nearly enough. I push them down between my legs and he unzips my jeans. My hunger is unstoppable and I don’t wait for him to get my pants off before I reach for his belt. He begins to breathe heavier and I almost have him freed when he suddenly stops. His fingers are right along the edge of my panties and I almost scream in agony, needing him to touch me.
    “No,” he says. “I can’t.”
    “Please,” I beg, while he drags out the moment, his fingers inches away from the satisfaction I crave. He tugs his hand away and zips my jeans, before buttoning his own pants and ending the moment way too prematurely.
    “No, this is wrong. We can’t do this. It’s dangerous, Nora.”
    “We appear to be at an impasse,” I tell him. “You claim to want me desperately, yet every time we get close, you panic.”
    “It’s not panic. I am only looking out for you. You don’t understand. Not again. I can’t go through this again.” His hands make lazy circles on my back; I need him in more ways than he is willing to give me but there is no way I can stop. “But oh, how I want to…”
    “Alec, I need you. Please. You’re not taking advantage-”
    “I promised you more than this. If I’m going to bring you with me into darkness, at least get to know me first. Tomorrow night. Coffee?”
    He stands and I lie on the grass, shirtless, as he buckles his belt.
    “Is this a game to you? Drive a girl wild so she can’t deny you in the end?” I ask.
    “I don’t play games, Nora. See you tomorrow.” He walks away and I almost cry out, but it seems childish and a little pathetic. My body is hungry and I don’t think I can handle not having him. I pull my sweatshirt on, though, and wonder what the hell I’ve gotten myself into. His silhouette has faded in the darkness, but his image is scorched on my memory.
    ****
    During mythology the next day, I have trouble concentrating for two