*Rhys*
I winced at the pain as nails dug into my arm.
“Oh, shi… I mean, crap. I’m sorry,” Saoirse said from the seat beside me as she loosened her grip and moved her clenched hand back into her lap.
I should have been glad that she was no longer attempting to tear through my skin, but I found myself missing the warmth and tingles her touch generated. Before I could think about it or even attempt to stop myself, I reached over and placed my hand on top of the two still clenched together.
Saoirse seemed to relax a little under my touch, straightening in her seat, but she kept her eyes tightly closed. Her breathing seemed to pick up at an even quicker pace.
“It’s alright,” I said softly, trying to bring comfort. “We are almost there.”
The turbulence jerked the plane again, causing her to suck in a breath. This time, her hands remained clenched under mine. My arm still stung where she had clung to me. I rubbed it absentmindedly to try and get rid of the sensation.
