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Time stops, so does my breath. In the interest of experiencing new things this evening, this is by far the most shocking. I realize now, IlikeWinter.That’swhat I’ve been feeling, and this moment proves it in spades. I don’t know the emotion well, and I don’t particularly like it either.
She nears the end of the song and I’m up and stalking toward the stage before I’m able to reason with myself. My eyes bore into hers more intently with every step that brings me closer to her. Her smile widens while she finishes the song, then she meets me at the edge of the stage as the music comes to an end. Reaching up, I grab her waist, and lift her off the platform, then set her in front of me.
What am I doing?
No fucking clue. But I’m sure of one thing more than I’m sure I have a dick, Winter Sommers is going to be mine tonight.
I’ve let her deny the way she feels about me until now. I see it.
I seeher.
“Well, how’d she do?” Barb croaks into the microphone.
The crowd cheers, but to me, they don’t exist. Looking down at Winter while she blinks her big brown eyes at me, my gaze attaches to her face like a succubus.
“You can sing…”
She smiles. “I can sing.”
Lacing my fingers through her’s, I turn and lead Winter back to our table. Karaoke Barb grabs the microphone from Winter’s hand before we get too far, and when we reach the table, I screw the cap back onto our bottle of whiskey.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re leaving, Grimm.” I grab my phone from the table, ignoring the missed call from Hayden, and push it into my pocket.
“Seriously?” she snorts. “Where are we going?” A hint of nervousness is clear in her tone.
“Back to the suite.”
“Why? Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.” I turn to Winter, wrapping my arm around her waist, and lean into her body. Her breath catches when I rest my lips against the shell of her ear. “I’m ready to negotiate terms.”
TEN
WINTER
Shit, shit, shit!
Aleck collected his credit card at the bar of Fat Billie’s with a predatory look in his eye that made my legs feel too weak to stand on. He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bar, leading me down the gentrified strip of bars with ironic names like we were about to miss a flight.
Negotiate terms…I wasn’t so naive that I didn’t know what that meant.
Do Iwantthis? If I’m honest, my god,yes,I do. Do I wanthimto know that?Hell no. Aleck has been a thorn in my side since he sauntered into our suite with two sparkly women. It’s true that we’ve warmed up to each other, dare I say, evenenjoyeach other. But we enjoy each other the same way people enjoy watching murder documentaries. They’re fascinating, but at the end of the day, they’re grotesque.
Andthatis the extent of my feelings for Aleck Fox. He’s fascinating, but grotesque.
Fascinating, so sexy he hurts to look at, and grotesque… but, like, becoming human and more bearable…
Shit, Winter!
I want Aleck’s body against mine. So what? I would never actuallydoanything about it. Mostly because he and I have been in a constant state of competition. Giving in to him is like surrendering and I donotgive up in the heat of battle. I’d rather see my limbs get blown off than to give in to the likes of Aleck Fox. So I suppress the warm tinglies he gives me whenever he’s near… or in the suite… or within fifty feet of me.
My only comfort in living with him? Knowing he would never want to be with me likethat. Not that I’m not worthy. I know Aleck respects me or he wouldn’t have given me a second glance. A glance hehasgiven me… A second one, a third, and a fourth one. But to Aleck, control is paramount. He would never let himself shit where he sleeps. And screwing me, knowing he’ll still have to live with me beyond that, would be like a hot, steamy pile of shit in his bed.
“I fuck, Winter. I don’t date, I don’t make love, I don’t court women or plan elaborate weekend trips. I fuck, then I sleep in my bed, alone.”
I know I said one-night stands are not my thing, but I’m not unaware of the fact that my body would likely trade a kidney to experience one night with Aleck Fox, even though my mind wants to pummel him with a blunt object every time he opens his mouth.
