The pit that filled Morgan’s stomach was so vast that she felt like it would suck her inside out. Like a black hole, she felt something pulling at her. She was sick, as she sat on the stairway that led to the second floor, and watched the foyer, counting every second since Messiah had gone. Please, let him be okay, she thought. She was full of remorse, and wound so tightly, that when she saw the lock turn on the front door, she jumped out of her skin. She was on her feet, running to the door; and as he came through it, she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him as she cried. He could barely keep his balance, as she clung to him, like a second skin, cupping his face in her hands and kissing his lips, repeatedly. Messiah wanted to push her away. He knew that he should resist her, but the smell of her, the desperation emanating off her, it all magnetized him to her.

Fuck it, he thought.

His lips parted, as he kissed her, hungrily, stumbling backwards, pinning her to the wall as she caressed his face and his tongue took over her mouth. This kiss was soul-stirring; partly because Messiah never put his mouth on any woman. He didn’t kiss. He didn’t want to connect to anyone so personally. He didn’t even lay a woman on her back when they sexed. Women were faceless to him; especially, the type that chased him. They all wanted one thing: money, and he wanted one thing: pussy. It was a transaction, and kisses weren’t accepted…until now.

“This ain’t right,” he whispered, as he clenched his eyes shut and rested his forehead against hers. She was so young, so inexperienced. She was an Atkins girl. Everything rushing through his mind told him he was out of bounds, but that weak feeling, that ache in his chest, told him he was still going to play.

She ignored him, as she thought, nothing has ever been this right.

Messiah rubbed his goatee, as he took a step back. He was in deep contemplation, stuck somewhere between love for a girl and loyalty to Ethic.

“We can’t do this until I talk to Ethic,” Messiah said. “I want to do this, but I won’t disrespect him. I can’t. It’s going against all the rules.”