Page 41 of My Sweetest Temptation

I typed the code on the keypad, and the door opened quietly, as it was designed to. Right as she became lost in her thoughts and took in the scene, I walked behind her and said, “What are you doing here, angel?” She shivered. My eyes started at her legs, and by the time they landed on her heart-shaped ass, she spun around to face me.

Stammering slightly, Winter mumbled, “I... I was looking for the bathroom and got turned around. I’ll just go.” But I shook my head, a slight smirk playing on my lips as I took in the sight of the innocent angel who dared to venture into my forbidden domain.

I took a step closer, now just inches away from her. “This room is off-limits to workers and non-members, especially angels like you.”

As Winter tried to back away, I moved closer, trapping her between myself and the stairwell. Her chest rose and fell. I could smell her berry scent. The tension between us crackled in the air, charged with a dangerous energy.

“Tell me, angel, are you looking for something you can’t find in your perfect little world?” My voice was soft now, almost taunting, as I gently brushed a strand of hair away from her beautiful face. She flinched at my touch but didn’t move away or tell me to fuck off. She would run and never look back if she was smart, but something held her in place, rooting her to the spot as if she was under a spell. Or maybe she was the one who had me under a spell.

I studied Winter’s face, a flicker of something unreadable passing across her eyes. “I can guarantee you that my world is anything but perfect,” she responded bluntly.

“Either way, you don’t belong here, angel.” My words carried a warning, a promise of the darkness lurking within this forbidden world’s shadows.

With a sudden surge of courage, she met my gaze head-on. “I may not belong here, but that doesn’t mean I’m afraid.”

We stood locked in a silent battle of wills for a long moment. Finally, I shattered the moment. Unable to resist the urge to touch her, I closed my hand around her wrist, pulling her closer until our noses touched.

“You should be.” My voice was laced with frustration as I lowered my lips to hers, a promise of something forbidden yet irresistibly tempting. A rush of heat flooded my body as our lips met in a deep consuming kiss, igniting a spark that I knew would change everything.

I pulled back slightly and looked into her amber color eyes that shined like diamonds.

Fucking beautiful.

“You’re treading on thin ice, angel.” My voice was a dangerous whisper. “Leave now, Winter, before you experience a scorching pain that will sear your soul, a torment you can’t even begin to fathom.”

My gaze honed in on her lips and then moved down to her neck as she swallowed. My eyes then trailed up to hers. I gave her a smirk and reluctantly pulled away.

She stepped around me and walked straight out the door without looking back.

I swung my apartment door open to find Sam clutching her violin case with a Chesire grin. “Hi, Winter!” she chirped as she stepped inside. “Guess what?”

“What?” I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement.

“I’ve been practicing!”

“I’m so glad to hear that!” I exclaimed, closing the door behind her. “Show me what you’ve got.”

With a bounce in her step, Sam moved toward our usual practice spot by the window and opened her violin case. “I can play the first part of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’”

“Let’s hear it,” I said, settling into the chair across from her.

Sam positioned the violin under her chin, her fingers finding the strings. She inhaled deeply as if to center herself and began to play.

I listened intently, nodding along as she played. It reminded me of how Mom used to listen with pride when I first played that song for her. I could almost see her face, the way her smile brightened and tears glistened in her eyes.

When Sam finished, she looked up at me nervously. “What did you think?”

“I thought it was beautiful,” I said honestly.

“Thank you, Winter.” Her smile brightened even more. “So, what are we doing today?”

“I thought we could work on reading more music notes,” I suggested.

“Cool!” Sam said, her blue eyes sparkling. “I can’t wait to start playing other songs.”

I reached for a music sheet and set it in front of her. “First, let’s talk about the staff. Do you remember what the staff is?”

Sam bit her lip, her brow furrowed like she was in deep concentration. “Um, it’s the five lines and four spaces, right?”

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