Free Maldeamores (Lovesick) (Heightsbound #0.5) by Mara White

There are obstacles but together they overcome them. The two love-interest actors are so gorgeous that I’m intoxicated and love-drunk from just looking at them.
    Every time I reach into the popcorn bucket, my hand bumps into Lucky’s and I feel a rush. Every time the couple kisses on screen, I remember his kiss. What it felt like to have him exhale through his nose so close to my face, the warmth of his breath spreading across my upper lip. What it felt like to have him hard and pressed between my legs. I’d give anything to go back to the roof again—to be the object of his affection.
    I sneak a glance at him. He’s looking at me. I look back at the picture.
    I’m wet between my legs and needing and wanting him. I can’t tell if the movie turned me on or if I feel like this just from sitting next to my cousin. I sneak a look back again and Lucky is watching me instead of the movie. I bravely hold his eyes for a moment and something unspoken passes between us. The exchange lasts too long and I can feel heat rise in my face. This is what Lucky has been avoiding and it’s me who can’t stay away.
    Lucky grabs his head in his hands and groans out loud and then stands. He leaves the popcorn in his seat and moves sideways through the aisle until he can walk forward normally and make his escape through the exit.
    I’m crushed. I’m humiliated again. I thought that he wanted me for a moment—a moment I misjudged. The reality of how he feels sinks hard in my gut. He just wants to be my cousin, so why can’t I do it? Why do I have to be the pariah with inappropriate longings? Why do I have to be the awkward girl who’s in love with her cousin? I pick up the tub of popcorn but I don’t eat it. I just want to hold it because Lucky was. I want to recapture some of that energy.
    The bucket collects my tears as I cry alone in the dark. I’m not even watching the movie, because seeing people in love hurts way too much. I shuffle through the aisle; I have to get to the bathroom to clean up. Wash my face before all of the movies end and I’ve got blotchy, red, swollen eyes—a dead giveaway that I’m love-struck.
    After depositing the popcorn in the trash can, I wash my face under the cool tap. I can control the crying, it’s just embarrassing that he affects me so much. I dry my hands and face without looking in the mirror and wander out into the main area. A woman screams and a monster growls and then the action sequence music starts blaring up, disorienting me more. I can feel that I’m still swollen and wet between my legs. I feel volatile and don’t really trust myself not to cry again.
    When I come out, I look up and see Lucky coming out of the men’s room right across from me. His head is down but he looks up with only his eyes, making his stare that much more intense. I want to die on the spot.
    “I’m sorry,” I say, wringing my hands together. I didn’t mean to mess up.
    “Fuck this!” Lucky roars and I’m afraid he’s really mad at me. He comes at me forcefully, but he doesn’t touch me aggressively. He pushes me to the carpet-covered wall and I almost fall backwards over my feet. He presses into me hard, then tilts his head and kisses me.
    I kiss him back so ferociously that I forget to breathe. My mouth slides against his and I swear, nothing can touch me.
    This is all I want. Ever. Lucky.
    His tongue caresses mine, so warm and soft, but his body is crushing me. It’s not just a kiss either, because his hands are all over me. He touches the back of my neck, grabs my ass and feels my breasts through my shirt. I go for his fly. I can feel his cock pressing against his jeans. I want to do terrible things to him and I want him to do his absolute worst to me.
    “Not here, Belén,” he shushes me and moves my hand from his groin. He pins my hands at the wrist against the carpet wall and licks right across my swollen lips. I feel it in my groin. I try to capture his mouth but he’s teasing and smiling