I head down the steps to the platform where Anders is waiting, gazing out over the water. The wind tousles his hair, and from behind, he looks absolutely divine. He spins around, his eyes scanning over me twice before he reaches out and gently tugs on my waist, pulling me closer until I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze.
“I truly enjoyed spending the day with you. I wouldn’t mind doing it again,” he confesses, his voice soft yet edged with uncertainty.
I nod, unsure of how to respond.
He must sense my walls being erected because he lets out a long sigh before saying, “Soraea, please don’t push me away.”
The raw vulnerability in his tone makes my heart crack while also threatening to beat out of my chest at the enormity of his words. In truth, I wouldn’t mind spending all my days like this with him, losing track of time wrapped in our own little world, sharing stolen glances and genuine smiles.
My palms move instinctively up his chest, feeling the strength and warmth that radiates from his body beneath my fingers. His eyes flutter closed, and I watch him swallow hard as if trying to steady himself before opening them again. The intensity of his gaze holds so much heat that I feel like I could melt right in front of him. My thighs clench together, desire coursing through me as my eyes dart to where our lips are so wonderfully close.
It feels like a standoff at this point, and one of us is bound to give in. Looking braver than I feel, I slide my arms around his neck, my fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck, and pull him closer. His head dips toward mine, tantalizingly slow. His nose grazes mine, and his lips just barely brush against my own, but the contact sends enough energy through me that it could light up the whole universe. The simple brush of his lips is enough to draw a breathy gasp from me.
I surge up on my toes just as he grips me tighter, our mouths locking over each other’s. Just as the moment begins to deepen, his lips pressing to mine, firmer as if ready to finally, truly kiss me, a sharp knock at my door shatters the spell and jolts me back to reality. Despite the interruption, I grip Anders firmly in place, unwilling to let this moment slip away.
“Please,” I whisper, almost pleadingly, my eyes locked onto him.
Anders lets out a heavy sigh, raking a hand through his hair, and another knock reverberates through the room. He looks torn between desire and duty, and just as I reluctantly release him, allowing him to step back, I can see the regret in his expression.
“It’s probably Clara,” he mentions with a hint of guilt. “I messaged her that I was here.”
My heart leaps at the thought. I can wait for that kiss if it means I finally get to meet his sister. I feel a rush of excitement as I race after him, my heart pounding, and catch up to him just as he opens the door. In a swift motion, he slides an arm around my waist, drawing me closer to him.
But the moment of intimacy is abruptly interrupted when we find a furious Kellan standing on the other side. My stomach drops as the realization washes over me. It isn’t a little blonde girl searching for her big brother, but rather my best friend. He’s still that…right?
Kellan doesn’t even bother glancing in Anders’ direction. All the fire of his anger is directed at me, and I wince as guilt twists uncomfortably in my stomach. Once again, I remember neglecting to inform my best friend about where I was headed. The truth is, it completely slipped my mind. Every time I’m around Anders, the world seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us.
“Where have you been, Rae?” Kellan all but growls, his voice a low rumble as he pushes into my room. As I reach for his hand, he pulls it away.
“I was in the village,” I reply, my voice growing quiet with remorse. “I know I should have messaged you, but it slipped my mind.”
He lets out a deep sigh and walks to the edge of the sitting area, realizing that Anders is right beside me as if he hadn’t seen him before.
“You were with him?” Kellan’s voice rises as he points an accusatory finger at Anders.
Anders spins on his heel, once again positioning himself protectively at my side. His posture straightens, making him taller and his shoulders broader. I try not to roll my eyes at the alpha male display—not helpful.
“Duke Hyston,” Anders drawls in an exaggeratedly cordial tone, as if welcoming Kellan into his home rather than a confrontation. Kellan offers Anders nothing more than a glare before shifting his focus back to me.
“Let’s go, Rae. I told your parents we would meet them at dinner. And I’m furious because I told your parents I would stay back. I camehere, fully aware that you weren’t with them, and now I find out you ditched me for him! My Prism cracked when I dropped it earlier, so it’s not like I had a way to reach you.”
“I’m really sorry.” I say, feeling small as I reach for him again. This time, he doesn’t pull away, letting the warmth of his hand encase mine. “I didn’t mean to worry you or ditch you. Anders and I made a plan before we left school. I wasn’t sure he was?—”
“You just left!” Kellan cuts me off, his voice straining with anger.
Cringing again, I step back, finding comfort in Anders’ solid chest. Protective as ever, Anders wraps his arms around my waist, tugging me back to his side just as Kellan yanks me forward like I’m a ragdoll in a game of tug-of-war.
Anders stiffens behind me. “Let her go,” he says, punctuating each word in a dangerously calm voice.
I swear the room around me drops twenty degrees, my skin prickling with the sudden cold. When I glance between the two men, I see Anders’ gaze filled with an icy rage while Kellan’s fury burns hot.
“You let her go, asshole. I don’t care who the hell you are. She isn’t yours,” Kellan hisses back, pulling my hand again, causing me to stumble, my body colliding with his. Anger radiates through me, heating my skin and igniting a weird energy that buzzes beneath the surface.
“Both of you let me go,” I demand, managing to free myself from their grasp, my voice firm. “I’m not either of yours, so stop it.” My gaze flickers between them, both glaring daggers at each other. “In fact, I would like to have dinner alone with my parents. Please figure out other arrangements for dinner—both of you.”
With that, I turn on my heel, leaving them in the living room, mouths agape in shock. I slam the door behind me, the sound echoing off the other buildings.
As I step into the outside dining space, I find my parents already seated, the table set for six with lights draped overhead. Disappointment settles on my chest when I realize they’re alone. My mother explains that Clara was just sent to dress for dinner.
