Page 8 of Sins of Winter

He nodded in understanding, though the restraint was evident. He dropped a chaste peck on my lips, then took a step back, pulling me up by my hand. Walking back into the living area of the suite, we found Thorne and Mara laughing with empty shot glasses in their hands. You could almost see the chemistry between them.

Thorne turned to us with a mischievous grin. “Thought you two got lost.”

Mara shot him a look. “Or maybe they actually needed to talk alone.”

“We had some catching up to do,” Lucian replied smoothly.

Mara narrowed her eyes, and before she even spoke, I knew what she was about to instigate.

“Well, now that you’re back, you’ve gotta catch up. Ya’ll need another shot!” she declared, holding up a filled glass.

“Oh, no. I think I’ve had enough.”

“Aw, come on, Winter. Don’t tell me you’re backing down now? The night’s still so young,” Thorne chimed in with a playful taunt.

We were rapidly encroaching on the early hours after midnight. That could hardly be classified as young, but I partied harder than this when I was all alone. So, against my already skewed judgment, I sighed and accepted the glass she’d just dumped the foul-tasting liquor in, drinking the liquid fire in one swift motion. It burned the whole way down, spreading through me, making my head feel even fuzzier.

The evening continued in a blur of conversation, laughter, and more drinks. We chatted about superficial things: music, college antics, popular movies, but stayed away from topics too close to the heart.

Every so often, Thorne and Lucian would share a secretive look or an inside joke, leaving Mara and I puzzled. But with every shot and every laugh, the boundaries began to blur along with the space between Lucian and me. His touches grew increasingly bold.

Our laughter would often end with our eyes locked in a silent conversation. Words gradually became wholly unnecessary. The growing heat between us spoke volumes. Every look he gave me simmered with desire.

Time seemed to lose meaning, and before I knew it, Thorne and Mara were ensconced in their own world, practically draped over each other, lost in the throes of lustful infatuation.

Lucian took my hand and led me back to the bedroom, his touch firm yet gentle. The door closed and he turned the lock again, separating us from them. He turned and caged me in, his body trapping mine. The cool wood against my back contrasted sharply with the heat radiating from him. His eyes locked onto mine, making my breath catch.

As I looked up at him, I knew any objections I may have had would be feeble. Deep down, I recognized the inevitability of our collision course. The force of my attraction to him was overwhelming, almost infuriating. I found myself caught in a storm of desire that was tempestuous and wild.

I was wet, wetter than I could ever recall being before. As he stared down at me with a look on his face I couldn’t decipher, I squeezed my thighs together.

“I need to be honest with you, Angel,” he confessed. “You've been running through my mind for years. You’re in every thought, every moment. Every single day.” His lips brushed against mine. “And tonight, I intend to make sure you never forget it.”

His mouth found mine in a kiss that was searing and possessive, taking me back to a world where only the two of us existed.

I melted into his embrace, responding with equal fervor. Every ounce of confusion and fleeting thought was consumed by the heat of the moment. My hands found their way to his dark head of silky hair, pulling him closer, deepening the connection.

Kissing had never been my thing, but with him, it was intoxicating.

Maybe it was because he dominated me entirely with his hands and mouth, reaffirming his earlier words without having to speak.

“You’re suspiciously good at this.” I softly voiced the accusing thought.

Pulling back just enough to respond, his laugh was one of twisted amusement. The sound caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. “There are many things I had to learn where I went. Pleasing you was at the top of that list.”

Realizing the implications of his words, I swiftly moved from between him and the door, now facing him with the bed at my back.

“You had to learn?” I questioned, my voice betraying my true feelings—an irrational sense of jealousy.

His perfect dark brows rose slightly, a glint in his eyes.

“Is this jealousy? That's a bit hypocritical, Winny. Especially when you've been playing with that boy from the bar while I was away.”

“Wh-what?”

“You really think I didn’t know? Your mother loves me. She fucking hates him.”

“You’ve been talking to my mom?”