I ran glossy black fingernails over his broad back, leaving two parallel streaks on his naked skin.

"What's the rush?" I wanted to ask, but I knew better. I bit my lip before the truth came out.

"Don't leave marks," he warned, cocking his head to the side but not bothering to look me in the eyes when he said it.

His words made me see red. I raised both hands and dug all ten fingernails deeper into his skin, and hoped... hoped to draw blood and leave a scar. A sign. A memento. He hissed and twisted his body to face me. His hands captured my wrists. My fists knocked on his chest, echoing within his ribs.

"Are you trying to get me in trouble?" Anger wasn't the only emotion that flashed in his eye. Fear and confusion came with it.

I read what was behind those unspoken feelings with my own eyes, narrowed to see beyond the icy hues of his grey blues.

I spoke in a soft hush, "So it is true."

It wasn't stated as a question, but he replied with an answer, "Yes-" His grip loosened, and I tried to pull away, but he used his strength to overpower me and drew me closer to him. "-It's true. I'm marrying her."

If my hands weren't trapped by him, I would have hit him... hard. Even though the bite of a slap on his face wouldn't compare to the ache in my heart.

Why?

Why did I do this to myself?

How could I let him destroy me like this?

"Let me go," I spat at him, thrashing beneath his warmth.

He didn't answer. The weight of his body pressed me harder onto the soft mattress. The furrow on his forehead smoothed. His lips parted, pushing ragged breath onto my cheeks. And he closed his eyes. And I closed mine.

Soft kisses fluttered over my trembling lips.

Why did we do this each other? To ourselves?

Were these stolen moments ever going to be enough? Was this all we could get?

"Wish that I could, but I can't. You know I can't," he whispered against the length of my neck.

He raised our intertwined hands on the pillow over our heads. He reminded me how easier it was for me to breathe with him. Then we weren't just kissing anymore.

He swallowed my fury. I inhaled his desperation. We moved together in perfect synchronicity. I clamoured for hope that when this night was over--this time around--I wouldn't hurt too much. No, this wasn't the first time. And yes, it wouldn't be the last, because like him, I was doomed to fall for someone who could never be mine. Right from the start, he'd left a mark on my heart that no other man could kiss away... no matter how hard I'd tried.

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A/N: Romance Contest Entry for Song Inspiration: Style