Page 79 of The Heart of Winter

Fate was not on my side. The doors opened to reveal other people already inside, so we couldn’t be alone.

We stepped in. Winter stood toward the back, on the right. I positioned myself in the center-back, just far enough that the others couldn’t see what I was doing.

As the doors closed, I slowly raised my hand and ran it gently along his spine, then down to his waist.

He was wearing a well-tailored suit, there was a decent layer of fabric between us, but I could still feel the warmth of his body beneath it.

The elevator started moving, and Winter turned toward me.

Our gazes met again. I gave him a small smile, just a little provocative. Then, not tearing my eyes from his, I shifted my hand from his waist to his forearm, and finally back to his hand.

But this time… something new happened. Unbelievably, his fingers seemed to respond to my touch. It felt like he squeezed my hand ever so slightly.

When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, Winter stepped forward, letting go of my hand, and quickly maneuvered past me, heading outside toward his car. But something still pulled me toward him. I followed, step by step, until we stopped by his car.

Only then did he turn sharply to face me. "What do you want from me, Sariel?" His voice had changed. He was breathless.

His back was pressed against the car door. The wind blew a loose strand of his blond hair, one that had escaped his ponytail, against his cheek.

"Everything…" I breathed out.

Then, I slowly brushed the strand back behind his ear. Calmly, I placed my hands on either side of him, trapping him in place against the car.

"Also, I just wanted to wish you a happy holiday, Winter, and say I’ll see you at the airport."

I saw the flicker of surprise in his expression. But I wasn’t finished yet. Moving in slowly, I leaned toward his neck, toward that spot where his right scent gland was. On a beta, it was just a faint mark on the skin, but my nose skimmed over it. Fresh lavender fields, with a hint of lime, so very subtle. I took a deep breath, savoring it, and then I made the famous AO sound, called ‘Appreciation’. Even a beta would understand it. Only then did I straighten up.

Winter stared at me, his pupils slightly dilated, his heartbeat racing.

"You smell amazing," I murmured. "Sometimes I think about kissing every inch of you, leaving no place untouched… and giving some spots a little extra attention."

He said nothing.

Slowly, I took a step back, releasing him from my trap, and smiled again. "I’ll see you around."

Then I turned and walked away.

WINTER

Tonight, I had plans to meet Finn. I had finally done it. I’d made up my mind. I needed to talk to him. No putting it off anymore. I knew that whatever was happening between Sariel and me was somehow picking up momentum, even though we hadn’t been seeing each other, and even though I had internally decided to resist him. But I also understood, on another level, that this was a ‘work in progress’—and I needed my head clear. The deal with Finn had to get off my shoulders, making space for whatever was growing between me and Sariel. Even if things were moving in strange intervals, there was a power behind it.

I just knew we'd end up fucking sooner or later. The question was, would it become more? The thought alone made me… slightly panicky.

Before heading to the park to meet Finn, I had another unexpected meeting: Skye dropped by for a bit. He filled me in on fresh news about him and Soren, not that it was a surprise. I’d known for a while that their relationship was… well, written in the stars. Snow had foretold it. And if there was anyone worth listening to, it was my strange brother, he had an uncanny intuition, a kind of inexplicable foresight.

By the time I arrived at the park, Finn was already there, leaning against his car. I’d taken an Uber, unsure if I’d end up having to drink a few farewell shots with him before the night was over. Because that’s what this conversation was about.

Finn looked impeccable and handsome as always, his black hair perfectly styled into a fading mohawk, his gray eyes focused on me.

However, one look at his face told me he already knew why I’d asked to meet him here instead of at my apartment.

He gave me a sad, resigned smile.

"Wanna walk?" I asked.

"Sure," he said. "Lead the way."

We strolled along the wooded paths of the park, following the picturesque shoreline near the white cliffs. The air was crisp and cool, but in a way that felt refreshing rather than unpleasant. I took deep breaths, enjoying the rare moment of connection with nature.

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