Page 58 of Facade

“Yep. I don’t think she believes were a couple.” Another step.

My back bumped the boarded window.

“You don't?” My voice shook, breath catching in my throat as he smiled wickedly, and shook his head. “Then maybe we should give her something to believe.”

Every fiber of my being froze except the rise and fall of my chest. He seemed equally nervous, his throat working as he swallowed, then tentatively reached out to cup my cheek, his grip firm and warm. His eyes bore into mine, enrapturing me so that I couldn’t look away. The smell of him washed over me, and I reveled in it. His thumb traced my cheek, mouth turning up on one side. That smirk he wore so often turned my core molten. All anger and concern simply gone. Traitorous, desperate body.

“Evanee…”

He leaned in, brushing his mouth against mine—wavering. For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. Then I shut my eyes. And I let go.

I pushed up on my toes, returning his kiss, my old coat falling from my arms.

He pressed against me, the boards biting into my back—I didn’t care. His tongue speared into my mouth, and I moaned against him, matching his intensity. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pushed one hand into my hair, grabbing a fistful and pulling tight enough to sting. The other pulled me flush against him. Every nerve woke as fire surged within me.

A hunger that only he could satiate.

He deepened the kiss, fangs scraping my lip. Teasing. And I instantly wanted him to do that in other places. Needed him to as the area between my legs throbbed with need.

My body felt like it might shatter under the heat radiating through every inch of me. I wanted to be in his arms. It was as if I’d been aching for this without ever knowing it. I had no idea if this was my first kiss or my hundredth—but at that moment, it was the best.

He stopped abruptly, leaving a cold ache in me instead.

“I think it worked,” he said, his breath ragged as he glanced back at the shop.

I didn’t care if Freesia still watched. What would this change between us now that this line had been crossed? Our gazes burned into one another as he straightened. My body screamed for more—but we were in public. And this was a mistake.

The heat faded. The cold returned, and a pit formed in my stomach. I couldn’t do this. Not with him. Then why are you already imagining yourself in his arms again?

He swallowed audibly, eyes bright as he opened his mouth to say something.

“We need to get back,” I blurted, sidestepping him to get away from the cage of his scent and warmth as I scooped up my discarded coat.

My pulse pounded in my ears as I waited for him to move.

A muscle feathered in his jaw, but he nodded, and we walked back to Marigold’s in silence with a good couple of feet between us.

The Inn was empty of patrons when we returned. I wordlessly followed him up the stairs with anxious steps. I'd barely even acknowledged Marigold as we passed her cleaning tables. She cast a hopeful glance beyond us, looking for Dimitri, I’d assume.

Aiden unlocked the door and stepped aside for me to enter first. I hesitated before entering, only to realize he didn’t follow.

“Are—are you coming in?”

He smiled tightly, his entire frame filling the doorway as he braced his hands on either side.

“I think I need to… go for a walk,” he said, his breath uneven—though his gaze said the opposite. Desire was written on his face, as I knew it was mine. I inhaled slowly, knowing stopping whatever could happen was the smart choice—though a small traitorous part of me protested.

“Sure,” I responded hoarsely. “Don’t go too far, though. Not really in the mood for excruciating pain.” I forced a laugh, but his brows only furrowed.

“I won’t go far.” He pushed away from the door and pulled it closed.

I plopped down on the edge of the bed, listening to his boots echo on the wood all the way down the stairs. I threw myself back and stared at the dark sky through the skylight. No stars tonight with the thick coverage. Little flurries fell against the window. Time dragged on long enough that the snowflakes turned bigger and stuck to the edges of the skylight, but Aiden still hadn’t returned.

My palms grew sweaty, anxiety spreading like a slow-moving poison as I observed the white above me, chewing on my bottom lip.

I shot off the bed, pacing the small space a moment before deciding to take a bath. I tore the door open. Malachai poked his head out of his room, eyeing me as I clicked our door shut. I muttered I was going to bathe, not meeting the gold depths of judgment. He slammed his door shut in response. Asshole.

As the tub filled with water, I put my tunic over the mirror, not caring to see the stranger that stared back.