Page 53 of Storm's Deliverance

I reach for the syrup and absolutely drown my pancakes. Drix watches in horror. “What the fuck?”

“What?” I shrug

“That should be illegal.”

I pour more.

His face contorts. “BB.”

“What?” I shrug.

“That’s not pancakes anymore.”

I take a bite. “It’s delicious.”

“It’s a medical emergency.”

I shrug. “It’s what I like.”

Syrup dribbles down my chin, but I barely notice. However, Drix does. His gaze drops, locks, and a dangerous smile slowly appears on his face.

“Drix.” His eyes meet mine. “Drix.” He says nothing, which is worse. Much worse.

Then he leans forward, and before I can react his hand catches my jaw gently. My breath hitches as his thumb brushes my skin, and then he leans in close, his tongue tracing along where the syrup was coating my chin, before lifting his mouth to mine, kissing me. His tongue dances across mine; the taste of syrup on his tongue has a light moan escaping me. No sooner had the kiss begun, he ends it and sits back in his seat, His eyes never leave mine. Not once. Then he lets go, sits back, and continues eating his breakfast. Like he didn’t just destroy my ability to think. The smug asshole.

We finish breakfast mostly in silence. Not awkward silence, but a comfortable silence. The kind built from years of knowing each other. Though every time I look up, I catch him watching me, and every time I catch him, he looks entirely too pleased with himself.

A sharp knock at the door interrupts us. “I’ll get it.” I push away from the counter before he can argue. Halfway to the door, I realise he’s following me.

Of course he is. I pull the door open, a smile already forming, but it disappears instantly. “Ginny.” Her eyes flick from me to Drix, then back again. I suddenly become very aware that I’m wearing one of his shirts, and only one of his shirts. Fuck. Her expression doesn’t change, but something flashes behind her eyes. Something sharp. Something assessing. I force a smile. “Nice to see you, Ginny.” The lie tastes terrible. “I’ll leave you two to talk.” I step aside, but before I can move away completely, I notice Drix. He’s standing in the doorway behind me, one arm braced against the frame, the other against the opposite side. Casual. Relaxed. Except it isn’t, because the position creates a very obvious barrier. A very obvious message.You are not coming inside.The muscles across his shoulders tighten, and his jaw hardens.

And for the first time that morning, all traces of amusement vanish from his face. Whatever Ginny wants, Drix already doesn’t like it.

Stood to the side, out of the way, but close enough that I can hear their conversation, I know that I should move away and leave them to it. Maybe I should apologise to her.

Are they still together? If they are, it means I just kissed him, and last night. Shit.I can’t help but feel bad for her.

“Ginny, I made it clear last time I saw you, I’m done,” Drix states firmly, no room for argument in his tone.

“I know, I know. I just thought that maybe if you had some time to think on it, you would realise that it was the wrong decision and want to give it another go. But I see you have already moved on with her. I mean…” She pauses. “She’s trash. Sure, she may be fun for a quick fuck, but she’s no wife, and no mother to your children,” she rants.

Sympathy for her quickly dissipated at hearing her speak about me like that.

“Ginny, watch your fucking mouth,” Drix warns.

“Oh, come on, Drix. She was with that doctor, and I’m not saying she deserved it, but she’s trouble. There is no smoke without fire, as they say. You don’t get beat like that without at least provoking it,” Ginny rants.

A ringing in my ears gets louder and louder, and the blood in my veins seems to boil beneath the surface of my skin. I clench my fists so tight at my sides that my nails cut into my palm.

“Ginny,” Drix growls her name in a murderous warning.

“Yeah, yeah, she’s your friend. I am just saying when we choose to live a certain way, dress a certain way, you can’t then act surprised when something like that happens,” she continues.

My feet are moving without a thought as I push Drix aside, barely shoving him. He sees my gaze and happily steps back.

Ginny’s eyes widen. “I don’t mean to cause offence,” she stutters.

I shake my head, still stepping towards her, and for every step I move forward, she takes one back. “Oh, Ginny, no offence taken. It did hurt, though. Have you ever felt your rib crack?” I ask, a deranged smile on my lips.