Heartbreak At Motel 7!

Chapter 19

The cool night air drifted in through the motel window. The room smelled like fleeting memories and temporary encounters.

There was a musty undertone, something akin to a damp suitcase that has been zipped shut for far too long. Sweet air freshener filled the air, probably the motel management's attempt to mask the faintly sour scent.

If you closed your eyes, the air felt heavy. Almost tired, and sad - like the remnants of someone else's night lingering in the atmosphere.

All of these things didn't matter, because the smell that heavily overpowered the rest was the scent of Vera's rich perfume.

She kissed me like she was punishing me. I kissed her back like I deserved it.

I noted that a certain tenderness was slipped into this kiss. Amidst the toxic nature of our relationship, there was something beautiful that we were both almost struggling to grab at.

Her fingers combed through my hair affectionately, like she was soothing a wound that only she could see.
As I looked into her peculiar eyes, I remembered the first time that I saw her.

I remembered how I looked into her eyes for the very first time, and how she spoke to me so seductively.

I never expected us to end up tangled in each other, our limbs intertwined and heavy as our breathing paces matched one another.

Vera's hand rested on my thigh, the needle marks on her veins visible to me.

I had no idea how to handle the provocative and venomous woman that laid next to me.

I was only nineteen.
I didn't know much, but I knew that I had feelings for her. At the time, it felt like that was more than enough.

Vera traced lazy circles against my skin. It's like she was afraid that if she decided to stop touching me, I'd just slip away and vanish into thin air. Like every other good thing in her life had before.

She spoke softly, "Are you sure you're okay, Charlotte?"

The way that Vera tended to me after sex made her feel like a completely different person.
Suddenly, she appeared like a sheep in wolf's clothing.

I nodded, my head resting on her chest as I listened to the steady beat of her heart.
"Yes, I am." I confirmed, "How are you?"
Her fingers played with my hair mindlessly, "I mean, I'm better now."
I looked up at her, "Do you mean that you feel better because you got to have sex with me?"

She spoke with purpose and sincerity, "No. I mean that I feel better simply because I'm with you."

An affectionate warmth blossomed in my chest, begging to be nurtured by nobody else but her.

Our continuous time spent together up until that point was emotionally fulfilling.
Even with all her sharp edges, Vera had a way of making me feel seen, heard, and appreciated.

She held onto me like I was hers, completely and without room for debate.
For the very first time, that thought didn't completely terrify me.

As much as I wanted to stay wrapped in the cocoon of our own private world, reality demanded to be recognised and dealt with.

A̶s̶ i̶t̶ o̶f̶t̶e̶n̶ d̶o̶e̶s̶.

The club was very much still alive and booming, right where I left it.
Marsha and the others were probably wondering where I was.

I spoke hesitantly, "We should probably get back."
Her arms tightened around me possessively.
Her addictive tendencies seemed to latch onto me and not a substance.