Page 29 of Kings of Decay
His words stabbed me like a white-hot knife. Not because I didn't accept she was dead. But because he had the audacity to try to schedule my grief and speed up my healing.
"Alaska is a new start for us. We should make the most of it," Dad added.
My hands shook at my sides. No words would come out, only hot tears and sniffles. I let out a scream of frustration and pushed past him, throwing my boots back on and stomping out into the snow.
The cold air stung my face, but it was a relief I felt coursing through my veins as I let my anger burn away in the air. I wanted to run, to escape from this town and start anew somewhere else. But it seemed as though fate had another plan for me.
As I walked aimlessly, trying to clear my head and calm my angered heart, I found myself walking toward town, my feet leading me there without conscious thought.
I shivered, still dressed in the stupid cat costume. I didn't want to turn back now, knowing that my father would still be there. My legs went weak at the thought of a hot shower and warm clothes, but I couldn't show my face there so soon after stomping out.
I kept walking, the crunch of the snow under my boots calming me. I ended up going down a hiking trail that led into the woods. I stopped at the mouth of the forest, shivering.
Damn, it was barely November, and it was already colder than I had ever felt.
I let out a breath, ignoring the icy wind, and tried to find my center. Breathing was one of the techniques that the therapist had taught me after Mom died.
Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the sounds of the surrounding forest. The crunch of leaves under the weight of snow, the rustle of branches overhead, the distant sound of a river babbling through rocks. I felt the cold air seepinto my lungs and fill me up, pushing down the anger and frustration that had built up inside of me.
I remained there for a long time, wallowing in the silence of the perfect peace that only nature could provide. The sun began to move west, and the temperature dropped even further.
A twig snapped, snapping me out of my trance. I turned to look, expecting to find a rabbit or another small woodland creature, but instead, my eyes met those of Pearce Winston.
"Fancy meeting you here," he grinned. He stood there, leaning against a tree as if he'd been waiting for me. Dressed all in black, he looked like a dark god.
My heart skipped a beat, and some of that anger from earlier came flooding back. "What are you doing here?" I demanded.
Pearce shrugged casually, his smug grin never faltering. "I could ask you the same thing."
I wanted to scream at him, to tell him to get lost and leave me alone, but I was trapped in his predator-prey gaze. He had cornered me, and I didn't know how to escape.
"What do you want from me?" I whispered.
"Isn't it obvious?" Pearce stepped closer, his voice low and husky. "I want you, Willow.
I've wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you," Pearce whispered, his breath hot on my neck. His hands roamed my waist, pulling me closer to him. The fire in his eyes burned bright as he leaned in to kiss me.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I knew I should push him away, but a small part of me was tired of running. Tired of being alone. I closed my eyes and let him kiss me, feeling his strong arms wrap around me as he deepened the kiss.
We pulled away too quickly, both panting like animals.
My lips tingled, my body hummed. I felt the heat radiating from his skin, and I was filled with a primal urge to feel him pressed against me, to feel his hardness against my softness.
Pearce leaned in for another kiss, but I put a hand on his chest to stop him. "Wait," I breathed. "What about your brother?"
Pearce let out a low chuckle. "Don't worry about Ainsley," he said. "He'll join us next time." Pearce smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. His calloused fingers lingered on my cheek before tracing the curve of my jaw.
I shivered, my heart pounding in my chest. "Next time?"
"Yes," he said possessively. His hand moved from my face to my waist, pulling me close. "This is just the beginning."
I let out a shaky breath, my hands resting on his strong chest. I knew I should push him away and put a stop to this now before it got out of control.
Why did the world feel like it was swirling around? Something was off. I was dizzy, and the sky was too bright. The trees were growing tall around us.
Was I dreaming? Was any of this real? The world spun around me, my head swimming.
"Is this really happening?" I whispered, leaning into Pearce. I didn't want to think about the consequences. About anything.
