#Chapter 17: Changing

"I heard you scream and I thought something might've happened. Are you alright?" Lionel asked, voice low as he held me against his chest. My heart fluttered against my ribs, my pulse racing. I couldn't think of anything to say as a response, not when he was so close and warm against me. I opened and closed my mouth, and then I tried to push myself up off of him. "Please, be careful." Lionel tightened his hold on me. "Let me help you so you don't fall getting up." For a moment, he didn't move. He just held me close against his chest. I couldn't help but breathe in his smell, something warm, spicy, and intoxicating. I wondered if Lionel noticed the tension too. The lights flickered back on, and Lionel slowly moved to help me get back to my own two feet. I felt strangely cold as his body moved away from mine. "Thank you." I said quietly, looking down. "For trying to help me." I felt his hands on my back, brushing against my bare skin. I let out an embarrassingly squeaky nois