Page 1 of Frozen Obsession

Prologue

10 years Earlier..Christmas Eve

"Roman, can you help your sister and bring out the rest of the decorations from the shed?" my stepmother asks, her hands busy pouring adobo seasoning to the pernil. My father looks over at the boiling water for the rice while chopping vegetables for the salad. I glance over at Xena, catching a glimpse of her braid—the same braid I had wrapped around my hand when I fucked her mouth just hours ago. She catches me looking and smirks, cocking her head to the side, daring me to say something.

"On it. Be right back," I say, trying to keep my voice steady as I follow her out into the snow.

As soon as we’re outside, Xena takes off into the trees, her laugh carried by the crisp winter air. "Oh, little sis," I call after her, my voice dropping low, playful. "Do you want your big brother to hunt you? You know you’ll lose, little snake."

I stalk closer, knowing exactly where she’s hiding. She’s not even trying to make it difficult. This game isn’t about running—it’s the build-up, the tension, like an appetizer before the real meal. I step carefully, my boots crunching softly against the snow, and then, when I’m right behind her. I lean in and whisper, "Boo," my breath warm against the back of her neck.

Xena flinches slightly but recovers fast, turning to face me as I trap her between my arms, both hands pressed against the tree trunk beside her head. Her lips curlinto a pout, her brown eyes glinting with mischief.

"What game are you playing, Xena Bean?" I ask, leaning in closer until I can smell the sweet vanilla lingering on her skin.

"The one where I run, and you chase," she answers, her voice soft, but there’s a spark of something darker in her tone. Her body is pressed against the rough bark of the tree, so close that I can feel the heat of her through our clothes.

"But I’ve already caught you," I murmur, my lips inches from hers, teasing her, savoring the way her breath hitches. "So, what do I win?"

Xena doesn’t answer, but her eyes flash, and I know I’m getting under her skin. I love fucking with her like this. "You smell like cookies," I continue, drawing out the words, my voice low and rough. "Do you know how much I love cookies?"

That gets her. Xena’s lips twitch into a smile, and her hand moves down, pressing against my cock through my jeans. My breath catches, and for a second, I think she’s going to give in. But instead, she smirks and pulls back just enough to remind me who’s really in control.

"Steve likes cookies too," she says, her voice sweet but mocking. "And besides, you’re the one who said we couldn't happen. That we could never be a real thing." She ducks out from under my arms, slipping away from me like smoke, leaving too much fucking space between us.

"Xena—" I growl, stepping forward, but before I can catch her, she lifts her hoodie and flashes me her pierced tits, her laughter sharp and teasing.

"I’m a taken woman, Roman!" she shouts as she runs off, her voice fading into the trees. "I’m giving Steve a real chance this time!"

Steve. Fucking Golden Boy. Steve. The rage flares inside me, hot and all-consuming. "You can’t be with Steve. No one, Xena!" I shout, storming after her, but she doesn’t slow down or look back. She heads straight for the shed, like she’s got this all figured out.

By the time I catch up, she’s already inside. I slam the door behind me and push her against the wall, my hands gripping her wrists, pinning her there. "I’m drowning here, Xena!" I growl, my voice low and desperate. I press my body against hers, feeling her arch into me, her breath coming quicker. "How can you be with him after last night? You promised. No more Steve."

Her body reacts to mine, the way it always does, and for a second, I think I’ve won. She’s mine. She knows it. Her ass pushes back against my hard cock, and it takes everything in me not to rip her clothes off and fuck her right here, against the cold walls of the shed.

But then she breathes out, "I’m his, Roman. Move on."

Liar. Her words are bullshit, and we both know it. Her body betrays her, arching into mine, wanting more. But she slips out of my grasp, ducking under my arm again, grabbing one of the boxes full of decorations as if nothing happened.

"You coming or what?" she asks over her shoulder, her tone casual, like we didn’t just share that moment.

I wave her off, jaw clenched so hard it hurts. "I’ll be right there."

She scoffs and walks away, leaving me standing there, shaking with anger. I ball my fists and slam them into the wall of the shed, punching until my knuckles bleed. This thing with Xena—it’s gone too far. I should’ve stopped it before, should’ve walked away. But I didn’t. I let myself fall into her madness, and now I’m too far gone to pull myself out.

I wake up thinking of her. I go to sleep with the image of her burned into my mind. I’m obsessed, sick, twisted. But I want it. I want her. There’s no Roman without his Xena.

I grab the Santa hat from the floor, tossing it onto my head, and then pick up the box. My fingers tighten around the edges as I force myself to take my time going back inside, trying desperately to get myself under control. I take a deep breath, but it feels shallow, as if it won’t be enough.

But the second I step into the living room, it hits me—like a punch to the gut, knocking the air right out of my chest.

There he is. Steve. With his arms around her. Kissing her. Her lips—those same lips that had been wrapped around my cock—are now pressed against his. The sight of it has my blood boiling, my fists clenching at my sides. Xena is chaos, playing dangerous games, but Steve? Steve’s a fucking dead man.

He pulls away from her and looks over at me like we’re friends, like we’re cool. I imagine wrapping my hands around his throat, squeezing until his face turns blue. But instead, I plaster on a fake smile, drop the box in front of them, and move toward the kitchen.

"When did he get invited to family dinner?" I ask, my voice barely hiding the fury underneath as I step into the kitchen.

My dad glances over at me, busy dicing onions. "Not sure. I think Xena invited him when they got back together."

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