I crept back into the Lynch's, Ross trailing close behind me. "You know we don't have to sneak in to my own house," he whispered loudly. I shushed him, squeaking the front door closed. This was the tricky part, stealthily getting past the rest of the family to the guest bedroom. Ross's bare feet fumbled carelessly as if he had not learned to walk quietly, and instead relied on the hushed muffle of my steps. I imagined I was in the FBI, Ross being my loud side kick. My brain tuned out the sounds around me as I played my own spy theme music. Ba na na na na na duh nuhh.

My mind was interrupted by soft words. I listened intently to the jabbing voices heard nearby, perhaps in the kitchen or living room. It was difficult for me to dodge each noise as the intrepid booms from my sidekick distracted me. "Ross, is that you?" Stomie's voice became louder.

My flight response kicked in, darting to the shadow of the man before me, his feet halted. Slinking in the carpet of darkness that mimicked him, I appeared like a child hiding behind a pole, but I waited to assess what was next, curiosity held my fate.

Her footsteps echoed sharply, like the thumping of my rapid heart. I felt his head move quickly, he was looking directly at a composed face. The shade pressed in on me, I fought the pesky urge to peak my head out from behind him. "Didn't you hear me calling you? Come eat some breakfast." Her kind voice rang, but that didn't help the succession of my pulse. I just wanted to get my bags and go back to the apartment. I held my breath, his head nodded stiffly, his body tensed. A soft patter against the wood flooring left me with a mental sigh of relief. "Oh and Amber, you're welcome to join us too." Never mind. I gritted my teeth and proceeded out from behind him. I was caught, a burglar in the spot light. Stormie had already disappeared into the kitchen, leaving no trace.

I gulped, "We have to make up a story as to what happened last night." I didn't want them to think anything of me. I didn't know who I was or what I had with Ross so I certainly couldn't answer to them.

"Follow my lead," his feet clopped into the kitchen, my steps followed in his like invisible footprints in the sand.

"Good morning sunshine," Riker teased  Ross, his voice hitched as his eyes met mine. I hadn't thought about him since the night before, images of him dancing and laughing with that girl. My stomach pounded into a heavy knot. Why wasn't this easy? Why couldn't I just be with one of them and be totally and utterly happy?

I scanned the sunlit room, Serenity wasn't there, she must have gone home last night like I should have. "Why can't  my girlfriend sleepover, but Riker's can?" Rocky whined. Ross's fist balled slightly, in close proximity to mine.

"My girlfriend did," Ellington stuck his tongue out through his smile.

"She needed one more day away from that place, give her a break. Right?" He patted the open seat next to him, welcoming me to come closer. For some odd reason I obeyed his every move. His plate was clean, food residue lightly painted the usual white. My stomach growled angrily with rage, but I was distracted as Riker's consuming eyes sunk into mine. His head and voice lowered to mine, "Can we talk?" Before I could answer his chair huffed against the floor, his hand placed in front of my nose to help me up. I decided not to take it, I knew Ross was watching.

Riker and I filed in at the step of the long, descending stairs. "I wanna show you something." He spoke powerfully, unlike before.

"Riker, I-" Before I could continue he raced up the stairs. My mind was boggled but I launched myself behind him.

At the infamous roof top, lingering trash resided in the corners and splayed against the concrete. I hopped over each piece like hopscotch. 5 points for a crunched cup, 10 points for general trash, 20 points for something peculiar.

Riker's eyes were locked like magnets, watching me stumble over a napkin. 10 points. A light chuckle curled into a smile, "You're-- there's something about you I'm drawn to and there's nothing I can do." He was so direct it struck a vein. My game and heart stopped.

He leaned up against the radiator. His eyes pulled to the floor, examining his shoes as if they were the most interesting things in the world. I approached him, and laid a delicate hand on his shoulder. Damn it! My inner butterfly beat its wings together uncontrollably. It was as beautiful and delicate as silk, exasperating each fold of its wings. I knew that it must have been tired from working constantly, but so was my mind.

The vibrant rays of morning warmed my pale skin. The light itself was poured from the molten sun. Lavender caressed our bodies kindly, merging into a hued pink. Powerful streaks flooded the landscape, dipping each inch of concrete in filtered warmth. The drone of city traffic was but a whisper on the tongue of time. His eyes rose to mine. "I can't get enough of you." I could have drank his words like wine, enjoying getting drunk off each letter. A deep intoxicating bubble of divine taste. "I want to know you. Please let me in."

He watched me like I had watched the stars, as if I had petals of wonder hanging off my lips. His eyes ignited in the golden light, a mountain terrain washed in life; nature in its purest form. Esch blink would foster new greens to thrive. The supporting and nutrient dirt that would embrace you when you fell. Each curtained by black lashes of innocent seduction.

I should have stopped time, to allow my overwhelmed brain to breathe, but I worried I would breathe him in and not be able to let go. Although my thrilling and terrified knot wouldn't untangle and my hand wouldn't stop pulsating.

He was a golden halo on my sinning lips. Sinner and saint colliding in harmony. I had explored this city before, still uncharted territory. The constant leaning in just to pull back was a new conquering conquest of his land. I wanted to learn each curve of his mouth like the back of his hands, climb the skyscrapers in his mind then jump off the tower of his heart. He pushed away the hair from my face just to touch my every peak. I was infatuated with his taste, the flame that drove my senses wild. I drank greedily from his need for me or I would waste away from thirst. I didn't want that fountain to run dry.

Perhaps a part of me resented that he made me feel weak to his touch, or that it wasn't easy, although nothing ever is.
My brain circulated a painful fact: His lips were not mine, his eyes were not mine, his body was not mine, he in all of his holiness, was not mine. Perhaps I resented myself the most. Perhaps it was I that was distributing pain to them both with every kiss, just to feel less of my own. I'd never forgive myself for not wanting to stop.

Author's Note: Thank you all for 1K reads! There's so way I could make it without you, do it without you, be here without you! (RSL/ A&A reference)
Comment below: What team are you on? On Team Amber? That's okay too!