Page 217 of The Heart of Winter

And then slowly, I found my voice, weighing each word:

"All these days, all I wanted was to see you, Sariel. I was just convinced that you didn’t want anything to do with me anymore, after our last interaction, or, so to say, the lack thereof. I kept telling myself that, for you, it ended back on that island. That you’d moved on."

Now my voice didn’t shake. I picked up the car keys lying beside us on the bed and showed them to him.

"You caught me right as I was heading out. With every day that passed, I realized I couldn’t leave it like this, even if you told me to go to hell. I had to try. I was literally walking out the door to go to your place and ask if you’d agree to be with me… and now you show up and tell me I don’t want to know you…"

I let out a bitter, frustrated laugh.

"This past week without you was even worse than starving, because this time, the hunger was in my heart."

Sariel’s expression shifted, his eyelids blinking rapidly.

But I didn’t let him answer. I kissed him again, hard, pulling him close with everything I had.

I murmured into his mouth, "How could you think it was over for me? Don’t you feel my heart, don’t you know what it wants?" I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice.

I was a new Winter, it was official.

Sariel’s arms wrapped around me, holding me tighter.

Then I heard it, a soft sob slipping from his throat.

"My gosh, Winter, that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard in my life!"

I just wanted to mention that my dick was still inside Sariel, fully hard, throughout the entire conversation.

Then I had the idea to do something about it. I made a tentative sway with my hips and Sariel let out a small breath. Still a bit hesitant, I repeated the move and knew immediately that it was well received. Sariel's fingers ran up my back, pulling me closer. Without saying anything, just feeling his encouragement, I began to rock between his thighs, his hard cock rubbing against my stomach as I thrust into him, making grunts and raspy noises.

Of course, it didn't take long… not with our strange magic. In a serenade of pants and gasps, we both climaxed again—a divine feeling flooding us, making us tremble.

God, I needed this. So fucking much.

Afterward, we lay there tangled in each other, soaking in the closeness, the overwhelming relief. Minutes passed like that, silent, but thick with emotion.

When I finally lifted my head and looked at his face, I saw his cheeks were wet.

"Why didn’t you text me, Winter?" he whispered. "I missed you so much, I stared at the phone for hours…"

"I’m sorry. I was pulling myself together, pushing past my issues. But I did the next best thing, Sariel. I quit my job for you."

He blinked, startled. "What?"

"Yes, you heard me right. An hour ago. It was you or the job. The choice was simple."

"Oh my God, but why? You could’ve just come to me—"

"All those obstacles we talked about before, and everything the shrink said on the plane… it got in my head. It grew into something paralyzing. I was afraid that now, with the whole world at your feet… I’d be a poor choice. The second choice."

Sariel closed his eyes. "Oh, Winter. Why do you always see yourself as second best? For me, it’s the opposite! You’re the best choice I could’ve ever made. And I choose you, Winter."

He propped himself up on his elbows, eyes locked on mine. His voice was firm.

"I chose you even before the island. Don’t you remember? I already asked you if you’d be with me back then. The island didn’t change that, it just proved I was right. There, I saw your true character, your bravery, your selflessness… My God, you nearly gave your life for me. How could I ever find anyone better than that? I want you to be mine. Only mine. Forever!"

A dazzling wave of emotion crashed into me, turbulent, wild.

"And I am, Sariel! But are you mine too?"

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