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Everyone keeps telling me about these infamous winters, and we haven’t even had snow yet. I want snow. I want the bite of frozen wind when I first walk outside, the crunch of frosted grass under my feet. Eventually, maybe, it’ll happen. I love winter, because winter means hockey.
But right now, I focus onher.
She stumbles a bit when I release her, whirling around to face me. She brushes her hair back, tucking it behind her ears. Instead of scowling, she smiles. She doesn’t seem off put by me, and it only sets my blood on fire.
“Knox,” she greets me. “What a surprise.”
“What the fuck are you doing here?” The vitriol in my voice can’t be missed.
Her smile gets faker. “Well, I was planning on having a drink. It’s what people do at bars.”
“I meant Denver in general. And more specifically, a suite at the Titans game.”
“Oh, of course. Good of you to bespecific.”
She takes her time smoothing out that royal-blue dress. It’s a shimmery fabric that clings to her breasts and waist, flaring gently out at the hips. If she did a spin, I’m positive the skirt would fan out around her legs. How she’s not shivering in that, I have no idea. The long sleeves are doing nothing to keep her warm, especially because the outlines of her nipples are visible through the fabric.
Do not think about her nipples.
Finally, she says, “I was invited.”
Obviously.
“And thanks, by the way.” She meets my eyes and gives me another smile.
It’s so plastic, it hurts to look at. It calls to mind all the times she gave me real smiles. Warm ones. Her laughter was a thing of beauty. Now, I can barely remember what it sounds like.
“Thanks for what?” I scowl.
Just talking to her hurts, but I don’t know how to make her go away without resorting to drastic measures.
“For losing the game. You won me a lot of money.”
I stare at her.
Un-fucking-believable.
“You bet against me?”
“I bet against the Titans,” she corrects. “Don’t worry, Knox—it was a one-time thing. Just to prove a point.”
I step closer. “Don’t you fucking say my name.”
“Okay, babe. Whatever you want.”
She presses up on her toes. I freeze when her chest brushes mine and her lips touch my ear. My heart is going out of control, and I’m sure she can feel it. While she’s calm, cool, collected, I’m quickly spiraling.
Which isn’tfair.
I dragged her out here to tell her to get lost. To leave my city, to stay away from the Titans. And here she is, having easily sidestepped the conversation and gone right into fight mode.
The Aurora I used to know would’ve run away scared if I used my height to intimidate her.
This one seems to welcome it.
“I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot more of me,” she whispers. She backs away before I can do anything else, slipping around me and heading back for the bar.
Her breath against my skin sends delayed chills down my spine. It’s all I can do to remain still and not chase after her. I want to throttle her, though. I want to make her bleed and beg for forgiveness, and then I want her to apologize for ruining everything.
