Page 74 of Relapse

Then she slips past me toward the balcony.

Cold ocean air immediately pushes through the apartment while rain taps steadily against the glass outside. She leans against the railing wearing my shirt now instead of Dagger’s, pink and purple hair blowing around her face while the city glows below in neon reflections and wet pavement.

The sight settles something ugly and possessive low in my chest instantly.

Mine now too.

Dangerous thought.

I head back toward the balcony chair afterward, dropping into it with a cigarette between my fingers while Blair stays outside another minute watching the city below us.

Then eventually she wanders back inside barefoot.

Restless again.

Of course she is.

She disappears into the kitchen briefly before reappearing dramatically in the balcony doorway.

“I’m bored,” she announces.

I glance toward her once before looking back out over the city.

“Tragic.”

“Noir.”

“Hm.”

“This feels like emotional imprisonment.”

“You literally have Netflix.”

“That’s not the point.”

I exhale smoke slowly while she keeps pacing.

Restless energy practically vibrating off her now.

She notices me watching eventually and narrows her eyes immediately.

“What?”

“You’re itching.”

She crosses the balcony slowly keeping her eyes locked on mine before stopping directly between my knees while ocean wind pushes her split pink and purple hair around her face.

Rain mist clings lightly to her bare thighs beneath the city lights.

Beautiful fucking girl.

Dangerous too.

Mostly to me at this point.

“What do you want, little addict?” I ask quietly. “Tell me how to help with that itch of yours,”

Her mouth curves slowly.