Page 141 of Winterfall Destiny

I slam a hand over his mouth. “Okay. You’re definitely not lost, Andrei.”

Andrei chuckles against my palm before pulling my hand away. His head dips, fingers splaying across my side as he kisses along my collarbone, until meeting my lips.

“Did I say I love you?” he murmurs against them.

“Yes.”

“Because I really fucking do, Maeve.”

“Ah, there’s my eloquent Andrei.” I drag the blanket from the seat, the tassels tickling my skin as I draw it around us.

My hair lies across Andrei’s chest, and I rest my cheek against his heated skin, but the fingers pulling through the tangles are cooler.

Andrei’s short breaths aren’t from fear anymore and when I place my chin on his raven tattoo and gaze up, tears well again in relief when the green dominates the silver in Andrei’s emerald eyes.

“Are you okay?” I whisper.

“Well, I definitely feel more connected.”

I roll my eyes at his joking. “But how you were…before.”

Andrei focuses on stroking my cheek. “Yes. But still not right. Don’t say anything to the others.”

I lace my fingers through his other hand and kiss them. “Hold on to me. Us. Everyone in the house. That’s who you are.”

His eyes lift to mine. “I’ve missed you so much, Maeve.”

“Don’t ever push me away like that again.” I crawl up to rest my forehead against his. “Don’t break yourself because you’re frightened of breaking me.”

A hand slides into my hair thumb across a cheek. “You say I’m the Andrei from the academy who was an asshole to you? I’m not. But you’re also not the confused girl I tried to push away, and sometimes I forget that.”

“I don’t need protection,” I whisper. “I’ve security from knowing I’m loved and cared for, and confidence from everybody’s belief in me. If you focus on protecting me, you’ll lose focus on what’s happening around you.”

“And lose control.”

“Exactly.” I slide my fingers to the nape of his neck. “Try common sense not this new instinct.”

He pokes my nose. “You’re the one who isn’t showing common sense.”

“Why? Because I helped you?”

“Um. No. Because you stripped naked in the summerhouse, in the daytime, where anybody could see you.” He nips my bottom lip.

I could cry at how Andrei’s relaxed around me again, that I feel him. “Ah. The real reason you didn’t want to return to the house?” He frowns. “I’m joking, but you got your wish.”

“I wasn’t expecting that particular wish fulfilment today.” He smirks at me; something I once hated but now love—another part of him.

“Same.” I sit up. “Can we agree that you need to fix your bond with the others too?”

Andrei chokes. “Um. I’m not having sex with them.”

“Ha ha.” I poke his nose then reach out for my sweater. “None of us knows what we’re facing today. But we do this together. No rogue, First-filled antics, Andrei.”

“I’ll try, but I’m worried.” He watches as I dress, grabbing his clothes too. “I had an overly long conversation with Tobias about this last night. Softly, softly something-something.”

“I think that’s asking a little too much.” I smile as I pull on my soaking jeans—or attempt to—the smile becoming a grimace. “I’d love to stay here, but it’s freaking cold. Can we please return to the house now?” Andrei nods and I pick up the half-squashed sunflowers. “Is this why you went into town? To buy me flowers?”

“Yeah. The ones in the kitchen vase died while we were in London.” He smiles. “Sunflowers always remind me of you, the girl who shines in the sun and fills our home and my life with colour. You love them too.”

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