CHAPTER 27
**ZION**
Straight after breakfast, Mom asked her to join her on a shopping trip. I couldn’t help but grin as I watched her, still wearing those panties from last night. The sight made me feel invincible, basking in a secret thrill that set me above her.
My mind drifted back to the night before, vivid and intoxicating.
**EARLIER THAT MORNING...**
I stumble through the door around 4 a.m., still feeling the effects of the night’s partying. I barely manage to kick off my shoes before I flop onto the bed, my body sinking deep into the mattress. I stare up at the ceiling, which seems to swirl a bit from the drinks. The moonlight streams in through the window, casting a soft glow around the room and creating strange shadows that flicker on the walls.
As I lie there, sleep won’t come, and the memory of the redhead starts to fade, replaced by thoughts of my ex-best friend.
Winter had shone under the low lights, a captivating mix of elegance and charm that made the redhead seem like a passing distraction. Even while I was with the redhead, her body against mine, I couldn’t shake the haunting image of Winter with Ethan.
The redhead moved with an enticing sway, her vibrant hair flowing down her back, but my thoughts betrayed me, flooding with memories of Winter's gentle features and the softness of her skin. The redhead's moans as she moved on me faded away, overshadowed by the sound of Winter's laughter, and every caress, every kiss, felt tainted by the idea of Winter being with someone else. The unsettling image of Ethan's hands on her, taking what I believed was mine, gnawed at me, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the moment.
She’s under my roof, following my rules, and she will comply. I won’t stand for anyone else having fun with what I consider mine before I’ve had my chance.
The frustration of seeing her with someone else, the unfairness of it all, is nearly too much to handle. My anger turns inward, morphing into a strong determination. I need to remind her of her position, to make sure she knows the limits and the repercussions of crossing them.
The thought of vengeance stirs a dark thrill within me. I need to teach her a lesson, to assert control and make it clear that she is mine.
The idea of making her understand her place, of bending her to my will, is deeply satisfying. I won't allow anyone else to touch her before I have the chance to lay down my own rules. I rise from bed, determination coursing through me, and head toward her room, ready to reclaim what is mine.
The house is cloaked in silence, interrupted only by the faint, persistent ticking of a clock from somewhere upstairs. I move stealthily to Snowflake’s room, the quiet creak of the floorboards a minor irritation. As I reach her door, I pause, wondering if she is asleep or still awake.
My hand grips the handle and turns. The door is unlocked.
I shake my head, a smirk tugging at my lips. Snowflake should be more careful;
Tsk tsk tsk..doesn't she know monsters lurk at night?
I push the door open gently, slipping inside.
Closing the door behind me with careful precision. The room is awash with a scent that immediately envelops me—a heady mix of rose and vanilla, underscored by subtle notes of salt and pine. It is a fragrance that speaks of Snowflake’s presence, a clean and pure aroma that seems to define her very essence.
The scent is intoxicating, wrapping around me and drawing me closer with its allure. It is a sensory overload, a reminder of her and the compelling effect she has on me, making my pulse quicken and my senses heighten.
I stood motionless for a long moment, allowing my eyes to adjust to the enveloping darkness. Slowly, I began to move. First, I approached the bed where she lay, a small, indistinct shape beneath the covers. From what I could discern, she seemed to be sleeping peacefully, which gave me the opportunity I needed. I shifted my focus to her desk.
With deliberate care, I began my search, taking pains to be as quiet as possible. Winter Chandler might appear to be the perfect girl in everyone’s eyes, but I knew that beneath her facade lay a hidden darkness.
I was willing to bet that she had something to conceal. I needed leverage over her, and I would not stop until I found it—even if that meant I had to create it myself.
I rummaged through the drawers, finding a trove of drawings—apparently, she liked to doodle—and several photos of her with her mother, Eve. Interesting.
Her mother seemed to be a significant part of her life, and perhaps a potential weakness. I noted it, filing it away for later consideration. Next, I searched through her backpack but found nothing of particular interest.
Returning to the bed, I dropped to my knees, my breath shallow and controlled. I peered at Winter, her face serene and innocent in sleep.
The sight of her vulnerability stirred a darker thought. If I truly wanted leverage, I could pull back the covers, inch her oversized T-shirt upwards, and photograph her exposed body.
The idea was chillingly pragmatic. It was a method I wasn’t above using if it meant gaining the upper hand. The prospect of such control over her, of holding something so deeply personal and potentially humiliating, was unsettlingly satisfying.
I placed a hand on the mattress and leaned in, breathing deeply of the fragrance lingering on her neck. Her golden hair was spread across the pillow like strands of silk, and I couldn’t help but gently caress it. It was the softest texture I’d ever felt. Her scent—sweet and captivating—flooded my senses, sending a rush of exhilaration and light-headedness through me.
Damn, she smelled fuc*ing incredible.
I moved closer, trying to take in her scent more fully. The aroma of her skin was so enticing that I found myself almost wanting to taste it.
But then, as I hovered near her, everything came crashing back into focus.
Winter Chandler, the source of my torment. I wondered what life might have been like if I had grown up with both my parents.
My father might still be alive if it weren’t for the deceit tied to her. The girl before me, seemingly angelic in her sleep, was the very reason my life had been shattered. Beneath her innocent appearance lay a she-devil who had turned my world upside down.
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