Page 8 of Burning Love (The Lost World #5)

8

SOPHIA

T he entire day had been a blur, her mind clouded with the weight of what had happened the day before. The memory of it clung to her like a second skin, making it hard to focus on the mundane tasks that filled her day. She kept replaying the scene in her mind, her heart pounding in her chest, her breath shallow. The touch of Alex’s hand, the warmth of her body pressed against hers… It had been a fleeting solace, but one that left an indelible mark.

She made her way over to where the fence stood as a tenuous barrier between what Alex had assured her was the relative safety of their camp and the unpredictable wild beyond. She’d heard a lot of mumblings about the compound not being safe over the last few days, but she knew Alex was working on it. And she trusted her new friend implicitly. The cool wind brushed against her face, and she felt, albeit momentarily, at peace

Her body ached, not just from the physical labor but from the tension she carried in her shoulders and neck. She could feel the knots, tight and unyielding, a physical manifestation of her inner turmoil. The sun had done little to alleviate the chill that seemed to have settled in her bones, a chill that only deepened with each passing hour.

Jesus, I’m in agony.

As she trailed her fingers along the rough bark of a tree, grounding herself in the texture, her mind whirled with thoughts. It had been a long day, filled with all the usual challenges, but something deeper stirred within her—an aching need for connection, for a moment of peace amid the chaos.

Her emotions were a tangled web of longing and fear. The vulnerability she had shown the night before had left her exposed, and she wasn’t sure how to navigate the new terrain of her feelings. The softness in Alex’s eyes, the way she had held her, had sparked something that Sophia hadn’t felt in a long time—hope. Yet, that hope was tempered by the ever-present shadow of their reality. The compound, though a refuge, was also a reminder of the fragility of their existence.

As she rounded a corner, she spotted Alex leaning against the rusted fence, her silhouette backlit by the fading light. The sight of her brought a sense of calm, a reassurance that Sophia couldn’t quite explain. Alex turned her head, a small smile playing on her lips as their eyes met.

“You looked stressed. You had enough of Ellen yet?” Alex’s voice was low, a soothing contrast to the tension that seemed to hang perpetually in the air.

Sophia shook her head, stepping closer. “Just needed some fresh air. What about you?”

Alex shrugged, her gaze shifting to the horizon. “Same. It’s been a day.”

Sophia tilted her head, studying Alex’s profile. “What was the worst part?”

Alex hesitated, her fingers brushing against the fence. “It wasn’t one thing, really. Just... the weight of it all. Keeping everyone safe, making decisions that could mean life or death. It’s exhausting.”

Sophia nodded, understanding the burden Alex carried. “You don’t have to do it alone, you know. We’re all in this together.”

Alex turned to her, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. “I know. But sometimes, it feels like the responsibility is mine alone. Like if I mess up, it’s all on me.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the compound fading into the background. The distant clang of metal and the murmur of voices were reminders of their reality, but here, in this quiet corner, it felt like they could escape, if only for a little while.

“You want to sit?” Alex gestured to a patch of grass nearby, her tone light but inviting.

Sophia nodded, settling beside her. The grass was cool beneath her fingers, a contrast to the warmth radiating from Alex’s body. They sat close, their shoulders brushing as they leaned back against the fence.

“It’s strange,” Sophia began, her voice barely above a whisper. “Finding moments like this, where it almost feels normal.”

Alex chuckled softly. “Yeah. Funny how we cling to anything that feels even remotely normal.” She paused, her gaze turning serious. “It’s hard, though. Pretending everything’s okay when it’s not.”

Sophia turned to her, searching her face. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

Alex’s lips curled into a small, almost sad smile. “That’s the thing. We all put on a brave face, but inside, we’re falling apart.”

Sophia reached out, her fingers brushing against Alex’s hand. “You don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s okay to lean on someone.”

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them faded. The vulnerability in Alex’s expression was raw, a glimpse of the weight she carried every day. Without thinking, Sophia squeezed her hand gently.

“Thanks,” Alex murmured, her voice barely audible. “It’s nice to hear that.”

Sophia smiled softly. “Anytime.”

They sat in the growing darkness, their bodies close, the night wrapping around them like a blanket. The air between them was charged, a palpable tension that neither dared to break just yet. Sophia’s heart raced, a nervous flutter in her chest. She could feel the warmth of Alex’s thigh pressed against hers, the subtle shift of her breathing.

“I’ve never really done this before,” Sophia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not like…”

Alex turned to her, her eyes wide, vulnerable.

Their breaths mingled in the cool air, the distance between them shrinking until their lips met in a tentative kiss. It was soft, exploring, both of them feeling their way through the uncharted territory. Sophia’s fingers trembled as they found their way to Alex’s jaw, her thumb brushing over the curve of her cheek.

Alex responded, her hand moving to Sophia’s waist, fingers slipping under the hem of her shirt to rest against the warm skin of her abdomen. The contact sent a shiver through Sophia, her body arching slightly into the touch.

“Is this okay?” Alex asked, her voice husky and uncertain. “Are we really going to do this? Out here?”

Sophia nodded, her own voice failing her. She guided Alex’s hand higher, over the curve of her ribs, the delicate rise and fall of her chest beneath her fingertips. Alex’s touch was so soft and gentle… as if she feared breaking the moment.

Their kisses deepened, each touch a silent plea for more. Sophia arched into Alex. The sound of their breathing mingled with the rustling of leaves beneath their bodies, grounding their passion in the reality of their world.

Alex’s hands found the hem of Sophia’s shirt again, this time lifting it slowly, her fingers grazing the bare skin beneath. Sophia gasped at the contact, her body shaking as she tried to anticipate Alex’s next move. She helped Alex remove the garment, and as she did so, she noticed her pert breasts rising and falling as the cool air kissed her exposed skin, and she struggled to catch her breath.

Alex’s eyes roamed over Sophia’s petite form, her expression a mix of awe and nervousness. She leaned down, pressing kisses along Sophia’s collarbone, the soft skin there eliciting a quiet moan from Sophia’s lips as she moved down to her nipples.

Oh, God. I can’t handle this.

“You’re beautiful,” Alex whispered, her breath warm against Sophia’s skin. Her hands started to travel lower, fingers tracing the curve of Sophia’s waist, the dip of her hips, and the waistband of her pants.

Sophia’s hands found their way to the buttons of Alex’s shirt, fumbling slightly as she worked to undo them. Her fingers brushed against the firm planes of Alex’s abdomen, the muscles tensing under her touch.

I didn’t know a woman could feel like this.

She pushed the fabric off Alex’s shoulders, her hands exploring the newly exposed expanse of skin.

They began to move together, a dance of discovery and desire, their connection deepening with each passing second. Alex lowered Sophia onto the grass, their bodies aligning and grinding, their breasts pressing together.

As their bodies intertwined, Alex’s hand traveled lower, hesitating at the waistband of Sophia’s pants. She glanced up, seeking permission, her eyes filled with uncertainty and desire.

Sophia nodded, lifting her hips slightly to help Alex remove the barrier. The cool air brushed against her thighs, a shiver running through her as Alex’s hand explored the sensitive skin. Her touch was careful, almost reverent, as her fingers traced the delicate contours of Sophia’s pelvis.

“Is this okay?” Alex asked again, her voice shaky.

“Yes,” Sophia breathed, her body responding to Alex’s gentle caresses. She reached out, her hands ruffling through Alex’s hair, pulling her closer until their lips met once more.

The tension between them built as Alex cupped the swell of Sophia’s vulva, her grip firm yet tender in the heat of the moment.

Sophia shivered, her breath catching as Alex’s fingers found their way inside her before pulling them out again, spilling Sophia’s wet juices over her soft outer folds, mapping out every sensitive spot with what felt like expert attention.

Sophia’s hips rolled instinctively, pressing into Alex’s hand, her body seeking more. The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of pleasure and vulnerability. Alex’s touch grew more confident, her thumb pressing against her clitoris as her fingers ventured back inside her vagina, deeper and curling with intent. Each movement sent waves of pleasure coursing through Sophia’s body, her moans slipping out of her mouth freely. She quickly tried to quiet them, but they were far from the others.

Alex shifted above her, bringing their bodies flush together. She pressed an open-mouthed kiss to Sophia’s throat, nipping lightly at the delicate skin before soothing the spot with her tongue. Sophia clung to her, her fingers threading through Alex’s hair, tugging just enough to make Alex groan against her neck.

The rhythm between them built as Sophie rubbed her naked vulva against Alex.

“Put your fingers inside me again, Alex.”

The pace of what was happening between the women quickened as Sophia’s vaginal muscles tightened around Alex’s fingers. Every breath, every moan, and every desperate plea fueled the fire between them until the tension reached its peak. Sophia cried out, her body arching as pleasure crashed over her in shuddering waves, Alex holding her through it, whispering her name like a prayer.

“Oh, Sophie. You’re so fucking beautiful. You were so fucking wet too.”

Afterward, they lay entwined, Sophia’s body still humming from the intensity of what this woman had just done to her. She traced patterns on Alex’s arm, her fingers lingering on the scars that lay there. She marveled at the contrast between the strength in Alex’s body and the tenderness and passion she had shown.

Alex smirked, her fingers still lazily tracing along Sophia’s spine. “I can’t believe we did that. Look at my pants. You got them all wet.”

Sophia let out a breathless laugh, pressing a soft kiss to Alex’s shoulder. “I feel embarrassed, a happy kind of embarrassed. That was… so fast for me. And so, so good.”

Alex chuckled, tightening her arm around Sophia’s waist. “Don’t be embarrassed. I can’t help being that good, right?” She pressed a slow, lingering kiss to Sophia’s temple as she let out a soft laugh. “Just joking. But you know what? You brought it out of me. I loved every second of it. Watching your face… Christ, it was worth it.”

Sophia hummed in agreement, her fingertips skimming along Alex’s ribs. “God, yes. We took one hell of a risk doing that out here. What if someone had… I suppose we shouldn’t have…” She exhaled sharply, her lips brushing against Alex’s jaw. “Actually, being out here like this… with you… just made it even more exciting.”

Alex grinned, shifting so their bodies pressed even closer. “You liked that, huh?”

Sophia nipped at Alex’s bottom lip before murmuring, “Oh, I loved it.”

“Do you ever think about how strange this is?” Sophia’s voice was soft, her breath warm against Alex’s shoulder.

“What? Liking women?”

“No. Not that. I mean this. This life we’re living. It’s so surreal.”

Alex sighed, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as she sat up and put her shirt back on before handing Sophia’s clothes back to her. “All the time. It’s like, we’re living in a nightmare, but moments like now could make it bearable, I guess.”

Sophia propped herself up and, in turn, started to slip her still-quivering body back into her clothes, her gaze fixed on Alex’s face the whole time. “Tell me something. Something real.”

Alex hesitated, her eyes clouding over. “You want real? Okay.” She took a deep breath and laid back on the grass, staring up at the sky. “A couple of weeks ago, I was on a patrol. We came across a group of zombies—nothing unusual, right? But there was this one... it was a kid. Couldn’t have been more than ten years old.” Her voice wavered, the memory clearly haunting her. “It was mangled, half its face gone. But the worst part? It was holding a teddy bear.”

Sophia’s heart clenched; the image Alex painted searing into her mind. “God, Alex, that’s horrible. Not the post-orgasm chat I was hoping for.”

Alex nodded, her jaw tightening. “Yeah. Sorry. You wanted real. And I had to end it. It’s just, every time I close my eyes, I see that kid. And I wonder how much of who we were stays with us when we turn?”

Sophia reached out, cupping Alex’s cheek. “You did what you had to. It’s not fair, but you’re still here, and you’re still fighting. That’s what matters. You didn’t let it suffer.”

Alex leaned into the touch, her eyes closing briefly. “Thanks. It helps, hearing that. I feel there is nobody here who I can talk to about emotions. There is nobody like you.” Her body felt so warm beneath Sophia’s fingertips, her skin still slightly damp from exertion. She pressed a soft kiss to Alex’s shoulder, then another, savoring the quiet, the closeness.

Alex let out a slow, contented sigh. “That feels nice.”

Sophia smiled against her shirt. “Good.” She let her hand wander, sliding down Alex’s forearm. The air between them was calm now, softened by the aftermath of their union, but there was still a weight hanging over them—the ghost of Alex’s memory, the child with the teddy bear.

Sophia shifted, propping herself up slightly so she could see Alex’s face in the dim light. “I do know that feeling,” she murmured.

Alex turned her head, watching her. “Yeah?”

Sophia nodded. “There was this one time, back when I first got separated from my dancing crew.” She hesitated, the memory sitting heavy in her chest. Alex’s hand, strong and grounding, slid up her thigh. That simple touch made it easier to go on. “I was holed up in this hotel for days, maybe weeks, and first the power was gone, then the water stopped working. I had collected what I could from the hotel. But I was thirsty, exhausted. Oh, I remember the thirst. I knew I couldn’t wait much longer. I had to get out. I had to go scavenging. When I got outside, I very quickly met this guy, a cab driver—Caleb. He was…” She searched for the right words, her hand coming to rest over Alex’s heart, feeling its steady rhythm. “He was sweet. Kind of young, eager to prove himself. He told me to stay close, to keep quiet.” Her breath hitched, just slightly. Alex noticed—of course she did—and reached up, running her fingers through Sophia’s hair, coaxing her to continue.

“What happened?” Alex asked softly.

Sophia exhaled, finding a moment’s peace in Alex’s touch. “I was willing to follow him to the ends of the earth. What choice did I have? He kind of put himself in charge, and I was fine with that. We were in a house somewhere, going through some stranger’s fridge, when we heard it—a scratching sound coming from behind a door. Caleb went to open it. I couldn’t stop him.”

Alex’s hand slid from Sophia’s hair. “One of them, right?”

Sophia nodded. “A woman. Or what was left of one. Her face was ruined, just shreds of skin hanging off. I can’t even begin to describe the shock. But she was wearing this necklace—this silver locket, the kind you keep pictures in. She was clutching it even as she lunged for Caleb. Like, when you said about that teddy. It’s like maybe they still remember something from before?”

Alex’s fingers tightened slightly where they rested on the small of Sophia’s back. “Shit. Yeah, maybe they do.”

Sophia sighed, pressing her forehead against Alex’s shoulder. “Caleb was gone. He tripped. She was on him in a heartbeat.” She swallowed, her hand pressing flat against Alex’s stomach like she needed something solid to hold onto. “I killed her, but it was too late for Caleb. I can’t even remember how I did it.”

Alex’s arms came around her, pulling her closer. Sophia let herself be held for a moment, inhaling the scent of Alex’s skin, the lingering salty scent of her sweat.

After a while, Alex spoke, voice quiet but steady. “Did you look in the locket? You know… after?”

Sophia lifted her head just enough to meet Alex’s gaze. “I opened it, yes. There were two tiny pictures inside—her and a man, and her and a little boy. At least, I assumed it was her. And I just kept thinking… Who was she? Who was this woman who loved those people? Were they out there somewhere? Were they waiting for her to come home?”

“You’ve never talked about this before, have you?”

Sophia shook her head, tears pouring down her cheek. “What would have been the point? Didn’t seem like it mattered.”

Alex frowned slightly, like she disagreed. But she didn’t argue. Instead, she tilted her head up and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to Sophia’s jaw. “It mattered. It all matters,” she murmured against her skin. “And you know something? You matter, Sophia. You matter to me.”

Sophia closed her eyes, leaning into Alex’s warmth, letting herself get lost in the feeling of being anchored to someone.

“You’re still here. We found each other in all this,” Alex said, her voice firm. “And I think this thing we’ve just got going is worth something. It matters. We’re still fighting, you and me.”

Sophia let out a little giggle. “Yeah,” she said. “We’re still here. Getting naked out in the open and?—”

“Absolutely! What better way to fight the zombie apocalypse them with your pants off and grass up your ass, right?”

Alex’s arms tightened around her, and Sophia let herself sink into its comfort as she let out a loud laugh.

Neither of them spoke again for a long time. There was no need. They lay in silence; the weight of their stories hanging between them.

“We should get back,” Alex murmured after what felt like an age, her voice laced with reluctance. “People will start wondering where we are.”

Sophia nodded, a pang of regret settling in her chest. “Yeah. But thank you. For tonight. For this. It was incredible.”

Alex smiled, a rare softness in her expression. “No, thank you. I needed this more than I realized.”