“We’ll definitely be using them.”
* * *
We ended up with a black SUV, and Elliott did a quick walk-around, checking the tires and snow kit. I checked Hana’s texts.
The place is AMAZING, you’re gonna love it. Drive safe.
I can’t wait to see you. ??
A rush of warmth hit my chest. I stared at that heart emoji for a moment.
I’d always been drawn to her.
Even before we became what we are now—blood-bound, trauma-tethered—I remember seeing her for the first time with Michael. My blood boiled with jealousy, but in a way, I also understood why Michael was so in love with her. She was drop-dead gorgeous; long wavy blonde hair, bright green eyes, high cheekbones and a perfect smile.
When I finally met her, when I confronted her with who Michaelreallywas, I learned she wasn’t just beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside. She always listened intently, leaning in with her undivided attention. She felt the feelings of others, almost to a fault, and she was never afraid of showing her affection.
She was honestly the best friend I’d ever had.
And still, when we saw each other, I couldn’t stop myself from practically staring at her.I told myself it was the trauma, that we were tethered by the kind of pain that never fades. But that didn’t explain the way my heart raced when she touched my hand. Or the things I imagined, alone, when I let myself drift too far into the dark. What would her skin feel like if I just reached across the space between us and—
“Jacqueline.”
I blinked, startled by Elliott’s voice. He was already behind the wheel.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said quickly. “Just thinking. As always,” I added with a small laugh.
“Thinking about what?”
I shook my head. “Snow. Heated floors. Chains. The usual.”
He gave me a look—patient, and a little amused.
“Naughty girl,” he muttered with a smirk.
“Sorry, Daddy,” I said lightly, biting my lip to suppress the grin threatening to break free.
He exhaled that low, quiet grunt, the one that always lit a slow burn between my thighs. And when his hand slid over to my leg and squeezed, hard and possessive, I nearly forgot how to breathe.
“Sure you are,” he said, his voice low. “You know…I can tease you too.”
He kept driving, his hand between my legs like he owned them…ownedme.
Because he did. And he knew it.
* * *
The drive started easy with flat highways, then slow climbs into the trees. Snow thickened as we went, coating pine branches and power lines, the road dark and endless.
By the time the GPS told us to turn, it felt like we were already in the clouds.
The cabin came into view slowly, like it appeared out of nowhere. There was a wide deck with smoke curling from the chimney. Lights glowed behind big glass windows. A second SUV was parked in the driveway and covered in snow.
My stomach flipped as I saw her silhouette through the window.
This was going to be an interesting weekend.
