Page 63 of Sinful Storms

“No.” Turning around, I nipped at the edge of his jaw. He growled under his breath, and I smiled. “But I’m sure I could come up with something.”

“If it involves you and me and no clothes, then I’m all for it.”

“You’re so predictable,” I told him.

“Can you blame me? You’re fucking hot, and I’ve had to force myself to resist you for years.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Years?”

He cupped my face in his hand, his expression turning serious. He brushed a soft kiss over my lips. “Years.”

I melted into him.

Tristan Smith-Chamberlain. Self-proclaimed king of the gods and the man who held my heart in his hands.

“I still can’t get over this.” When I raised my head, I found Knox staring at us. “You two…yeah, we all knew it was always inevitable, but the way you two look at each other…I dunno…I never expected to see you so…”

“Sweet with each other?” Elena suggested.

“Yeah. Sweet.” He smirked at Tristan.

“Says the asshole cuddling his girlfriend and whispering sweet nothings in her ear,” Tristan pointed out.

“I was whispering very dirty things, actually.”

“I bet you were, you sick fucker. I don’t wanna know.”

“Believe me, you don’t,” Roman interjected, and I took that as my cue to unwind Tristan’s arm from around my waist and stand.

“I won’t be too long,” I said, leaning down to kiss him. “Quinn, Elena, come with me?” Tristan nodded, handing me one of the full magnums of champagne as we left the boys to it. They needed time together, and so did we.

“Our last night together.” Samira stretched out on her bed with Gracelyn draped over her thighs, the two of them passing the bottle between them.

“I can’t believe it.” Elena shook her head. “I went to dinner with Katy and Will before the party, and they were leaving straight after we’d eaten. They’re flying to Florence and then getting the train to Rome. No looking back.”

Grace and Mira exchanged glances, and Mira handed the bottle back to Quinn. “Yeah. We’re leaving first thing tomorrow to fly to Rhodes,” Gracelyn said. “Probably before anyone else is awake, unless you’re planning to be up by seven-ish.”

Quinn eyed the bottle, shaking it lightly in what I assumed was an attempt to work out how much champagne was left inside. “No, I don’t think any of us will be up that early. I know there are at least another few magnums of this in Knox’s room, plus the other stuff everyone’s been drinking.”

“That’s why I thought we should spend some time together tonight,” I said. “Make the most of it. I know we’ll all stay in touch, but it won’t be the same as being here.”

Elena sighed. “I’ve been here the least amount of time, and I’m going to miss this place. I can’t imagine what it must be like for the rest of you.” She laughed and shook her head. “I never actually thought I’d say I’d miss Hatherley Hall, but I guess it’s grown on me.”

Quinn passed her the bottle. “Or maybe we’ve grown on you.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re okay.” She smiled before taking a swig from the bottle. “Seriously, I’m glad I have you in my life.”

I slipped my arm around her waist. “Same goes for us, too.”

34

TRISTAN

Aria’s brows rose as we reached the staircase leading to the ruined bell tower. “What are we doing here?”

“Closure, mostly.” I glanced over her as we began ascending the stairs. “This was our place, and…look. I know a lot of bad things came to light when we started looking into the past, and we both know what happened here, but I can’t regret the fact that you found that box. It gave me you, and honestly, I’m not sure I would’ve managed to get my shit together without it.”

Her lips curved into a wry smile. “Yeah, me too, probably.”

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