CHAPTER 43
**WINTER**
I couldn't resist looking back. Zion remained on the couch, the girl now draped across his lap, her hands tangled in his hair as their lips locked in a heated kiss. The way she pressed against him, her body arching into his, made it clear how intensely they were entwined.
His hand roamed under her shirt, the fabric bunching up as he explored her skin. Despite being deeply engaged with her, his gaze flickered over to me every so often, a smoldering intensity in his eyes that made my heart race.
I tried to pay attention to Claire and Clark’s playful banter.
“Oh, come on, Claire,” Clark retorted, nudging her. “That’s because we don’t want to deal with the poor guy who gets tangled up with you.”
Claire laughed, a light, musical sound that usually would have pulled me in, but my mind kept drifting back to Zion. The way his eyes darkened as he watched me, the heat in his gaze even as he kissed another girl, was impossible to ignore.
Claire's voice brought me back to the present.
“Winter...Winter?”
“Sorry, what?” I managed, forcing a smile.
“I have to say, you seem way too decent for my brother. You look like a real catch, and honestly, a puck bunny would probably be a better match for my playboy brother,” she joked, giving my arm a playful squeeze.
Clark smirked, shaking his head. “Well, I guess that makes me the lucky guy, huh? But don’t worry, Winter, I promise I’ll be on my best behavior tonight,” he said with a playful wink.
I looked between Clark and Claire, my shock melting into a profound sense of awe. The effortless way they interacted, the teasing and the laughter, reminded me so much of the family I’d lost. The realization hit me hard, sending a wave of melancholy through my chest. My brother had been gone for almost a years now, and watching Clark and Claire’s easy banter only deepened the ache I felt.
Their light-heartedness made the absence of my brother feel sharper than ever, and I couldn’t help but mourn the family moments I’d never have again.
Claire's voice broke through my thoughts.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concern in her eyes. I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my emotions in check, and managed a nod.
"I'm fine," I replied, my voice wavering slightly. "Just... watching you both. It reminded me of something."
With a faint, sad smile, my gaze shifted over to Zion. The smile quickly faded as I looked at him.
The girl in his lap lifted one of her toned legs, wrapping it around him and pulling him closer. I wrinkled my nose.
Good God.
I needed to look away, but I couldn’t, not while his hand was tracing down her side.
Slowly, Zion pushed her skirt higher, revealing a glimpse of lacy red underwear. The way his hand moved beneath the fabric was unmistakable; he was clearly doing more than just grazing her.
They were still dressed, but the intimacy of their actions felt startlingly explicit. The sight of Zion’s fingers gliding beneath her skirt, the girl’s lips trailing kisses along his neck, was almost unbearable.
Our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat. Zion had caught me staring. His gaze was steady, and a slow, knowing smirk spread across his face. It was as if he wanted me to watch, to see every provocative detail. The heat of his stare, combined with the girl's soft kisses on his neck, sent a wave of uncomfortable heat through me.
I turned my back to Zion, desperate to escape the unsettling sight and focus on Claire instead. My mind raced as I tried to listen to her, but the image of Zion with the girl clung to my thoughts, making it impossible to fully engage in the conversation. I nodded along, attempting to mask my discomfort with a smile, while my emotions churned beneath the surface.
I was going to banish him from my mind, as of now. For whatever reason, he’d decided he didn’t like me, so that was that.
Claire grabbed my arm, tugging me towards a group of people dancing.
"Come on, let's dance!" she shouted over the blaring music.
"Hey, leave my date alone. Go find someone else to bother," Clark's voice called out behind us, but Claire ignored him, pulling me onto the makeshift dance floor.
I let the music consume me, the rhythm pulsing through my body. We danced provocatively, catching the eyes of several nearby guys and drawing hostile glares from the girls.
Ignoring the disdainful looks, I lost myself in the rhythm until I noticed a guy leaning against the wall, watching me. Every time I glanced up, he was still there, his gaze unwavering.
It was Ethan, the guy I had met a few days ago at a party Zion reluctantly dragged me to. He had that quintessential bad boy vibe—light brown hair that fell into his piercing blue eyes, a lean yet muscular build, and a smile that showcased the most stunning dimples.
But those were the only positives. I didn’t like the vibe he gave off during our last encounter.
The next time I looked at him, I held his gaze. A moment later, he was standing in front of me, leaning down to speak in my ear.
“Hey,” he murmured, his voice low and inviting.
His hand rested lightly on my arm, just close enough to be suggestive without overstepping boundaries.
Our eyes locked, and I noticed his pupils widen slightly as I took a deliberate step back.
"Winter, right? I'm Ethan, remember?"
I gave a polite smile and nod, recalling all too well the sleazy behavior he’d displayed at the last party.
"You look even more stunning than the last time we met," he said, his voice smooth and intimate against the backdrop of the music.
He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. "My night has definitely improved now that I've had the chance to see you again."
With a confident smile, he spun me around.
"Care to dance with me?"
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