Page 37 of Scornful

When our lips meet, it's different than before.

It’s not the desperate, burning need of last night, but something deeper, something that scares me more than any threat the Patriot could ever make.

I pull back slightly, resting my forehead against hers. "We'll be careful," I promise. "More careful than before. No more spa meetings. No more obvious shit."

She nods, eyes closed. "Okay."

"And you watch out for anyone hangin’ around asking questions. Anyone who seems off, you call me immediately."

"I will." She opens her eyes, searching mine. "What is this, Geirolf? Between us?"

It's a fair question, one I've been asking myself since that first kiss in the massage room. "I don't know," I admit. "But it's not nothing."

"No," she agrees softly. "It's definitely not nothing."

I take her hand, leading her toward the bedroom in the back of the cabin.

Whatever this is between us, whatever name we put on it, one thing is clear—I'm in too deep to walk away now, consequences be damned.

CHAPTER SIX

Astrid

The bedroom door closes behind us with a soft click that feels louder than gunfire.

Geirolf's hand is warm in mine, rough with calluses from years of working on bikes and handling weapons.

The moonlight streaming through the window casts shadows across his face, making his ice-blue eyes look even more intense.

"Having second thoughts?" I ask, trying to keep my voice light even though my heart is hammering in my chest like it’s about to burst through it.

He turns to face me fully, those eyes searching mine. "Never. You?"

I shake my head, stepping closer until I can feel the heat radiating from his body. "Just nervous, I guess. This is still so new."

"We don't have to do anything," he says, echoing his words from last night at the spa. "We can just talk."

But I don't want to just talk.

I want to forget about the danger, the secrets, the lies we're telling everyone we care about.

I want to lose myself in him the way I did last night, want to feel that complete surrender again.

"Sit with me?" I ask, gesturing to the bed.

He nods, and we settle on the edge of the mattress, not quite touching but close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body.

Silence stretches between us, not uncomfortable but heavy.

I finally speak up, turning slightly to face him better. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Why the club? I mean, I know why people join, but what made you choose this life? You don't seem like someone who needs to follow anyone."

Geirolf is quiet for a long moment, his jaw working like he's chewing on words that taste bitter.

When he finally speaks, his voice is rougher than usual, like these words don't come easy.

---