Page 100 of Running Winter

NO

R A F E

Satisfied that Leigh was capable of looking after Raven, I allowed myself a night out without wondering what she was getting into with Dad out of town.

Chase was with Rayna, and it meant I was at a loose end. A couple of the guys from football had invited me to a party, so I decided to do that.

The party was in a decent part of town, and I liked that I was greeted with champagne.

Shit champagne, but the girl who served it to me was sizzling.

I was instantly distracted by the party in the pool, and my stomach lurched when I remembered the last time I was in a pool, with Heather's glorious thighs wrapped around me…

"Yo, Deacon. Your sister's friend is here," drawled a guy to my right. I frowned, standing up straight and scanning the area for Raven. I didn't see Leigh either, so I figured Jael must be without her. Jael had to be the only stunning girl in Winterburg that I hadn't fucked. But, of course, that was because Raven would kick my ass, and I wasn't down for that.

But then again, Jael was fucking hot. So I figured that seeing as though Heather was in my mind more often than I'd like, maybe I needed some kind of distraction. But I couldn't do it with Jael.

Heather was driving me crazy. She barely texted me, even to hook up. She said she was only fucking me, but I wasn't so sure I believed her. The girl had a high sex drive, and I didn't understand why she wouldn't be on my phone more than she was. I sipped my champagne, aware that the party was starting to heat up.

Girls who had lost at strip poker were now jumping in the pool butt naked, and guys started the drinking games.

I drained my drink and headed back into the kitchen for another. A large bathtub-sized crate was filled with ice and beers, and I leaned down to pick one up between my fingers. I cracked the lid off before lifting it to my lips.

"Ooh, Rafe Deacon. Didn't know you were here," I heard a husky voice whisper from behind me, and I felt a twitch in my pants. The forbidden friend, of course. I turned to see Jael leaning forward to help herself to a beer, using a bottle opener to send the lid scattering across the floor.

"Jael," I nodded, refusing to even so much as glance at her body. It was deadly, all curves and dangerous twists. I couldn't look. Otherwise, my inner demon would take over. But then my eyes fixed on the shiny nude lips as they wrapped around the bottle, then her throat as she gulped the icy liquid down. She didn't stop for a breath; her eyes locked on me as she drank.

Christ.

"Is my sister here?" I asked, trying not to pay attention to how she was allowing the bottle to rest on her lips. Nice lips, but not Heather's.

Wait, what the fuck?

"Why don't we talk about something else?" Jael sighed, leaning back against the counter with her elbows. "Like the hottie that's protecting your sister?"

"Huh?" I frowned before realization dawned on me. "Raven is here?"

Jael shrugged and continued to drink.

"Raven was here earlier, but I've not seen her in a while," Jael said tightly. "Although I'm sure she is fine. She has Leigh remember?"

I nodded, but I was annoyed. Now I couldn’t relax, knowing my sister was here. So I turned around, scanning the room with renewed vigor, hoping to see her sitting chatting to someone or something.

No sign of her or Leigh.

I tugged my phone out to text Raven to see the icon alerting me to a text.

Heather:

I'm home alone if you want to come by?

My lips stretched into a broad smile, but not before I felt a hand slip up my shirt and nails scratch my back. I inhaled sharply, turning to see Jael smirking at me.

"Did you think you'd got lucky, Deacon?" Jael cackled, throwing her hair over her shoulder with amusement.

My gaze drifted over her dress then, her tanned legs peeking out between the silky fabric.

"You know I can't do this with you, so quit playing," I warned her, tearing my eyes away. I'd resisted her long enough, and I had Heather, who had my full attention.

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