Page 84 of Endgame
The coffee must’ve gone cold.
I should see her small figure crossing the room, sunlight spilling on her through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
I should be mad. I’m not.
Waiting for her in the silence stirs memories I wasn’t expecting.
Good ones.
A sad smile pulls at my lips.
We used to have family nights, just the four of us. Pajamas, popcorn, stupid board games. It didn’t matter what we did. What mattered was that we showed up, even if it wasn’t all four of us at once. Being together, that was what counted.
Mom would pretend not to be competitive. Dad would fake confusion over the rules. Lotus always had some project or surprise to share.
Something to prove she belonged. It wasn’t necessary, ever.
Now they’re all gone.
I’d give anything just to have one of those nights back.
One more laugh.
One more moment.
I sigh, running my hand through my hair when Aurora’s light footsteps reach my ears.
She’s treading down the stairs.
Memories tucked away, I lean forward, forearms perched on the table. Wait for her to come closer. Listen to her padding over the hardwood floors.
She appears in the wide archway a moment later.
Goddamn her. The mere sight of her is a punch to the gut.
She’s gorgeous in her black summer dress, with her brown hair flowing over her shoulders. With her large blue eyes that have doubt dancing in them.
She holds still beneath the archway, her hands clasped in front of her.
Expecting my orders.
Half of me hates that the brat side of her is nowhere to be found. That I fucked it out of her this morning.
The other half… Motherfucker.
I’m not just hard, I’m fucking throbbing.
I’m drinking up her submission. Devouring her fear.
Her collar. Her posture. Her silent plea not to come again.
Please.
I. Want. Her.
“Hey,” Aurora breathes out, her voice echoing her fear.
This heat in my chest, the straining in my jeans, they go against everything I believe in.
