12
Alara
Cold fingers brushed against my skin, causing me to stir. For a brief, heart pounding momen I thought it was Lucas again, his touch lingering on my mind, making my heart race. But when I opened my eyes, I was relieved-and disappointed-to see Kaelen standing over me
“Kaelen,” I whispered, blinking up at him as I tried to push the memories of the night before out of my mind. I wasn’t ready to face him yet, not after everything that had happened. I was still angry, but more than that, I was confused. Confused about what I had done with Luca, confused about how I felt toward Kaelen.
“Alara,” he said softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry I missed dinne
Anger flared in my chest at his words. He had promised me promised me that we would have the night together, that he would make up for everything. And once again, he had broken that promise.
“You said you’d come home,” I scolded him in a low voice, trying to keep the tremor of frustration from shaking my tone. “You said you’d make dinner, Kaelen. You promised.”
His expression softened, his hand reaching out to touch mine, but I pulled it away before he could. The memory of Lucas’s lips on mine still burned too brightly in my mind, and I couldn’t handle Kaelen’s touch right now.
“I had extra work,” he explained, sounding exhausted. “I sent Lucas to let you know.”
At the mention of Lucas’s name, my cheeks heated, and I was glad the room was still cloaked in darkness. My pulse quickened as memories of the kiss flooded back-how his lips had felt against mine, the way he had pulled me close. My stomach churned with guilt and confusion.
But Kaelen didn’t seem to notice. He was too caught up in his apology, too distracted by the weight of his own responsibilities.
“I know I disappointed you again,” he continued, his voice filled with regret. “But I make it up to you. I promise, I’ll take you out to dinner. Just…. not soon. I’ve got too much work piling up.”
I nodded stiffly, trying to focus on what he was saying. My head was spinning, and all I could think about was Lucas. His touch, his kiss, the way he had looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered.
“Okay,” I murmured, barely hearing my own voice. “Just… don’t keep promising things you
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can’t do.”
+25 Points
Kaelen leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before standing up. “Good night, Alara,” he whispered.
I watched him leave, my heart heavy with guilt and confusion. As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. Kaelen had no idea, and the guilt gnawed at me. He had no idea that, just hours ago, I had kissed another man-his best friend, no less.
But more than the guilt, there was something else that twisted inside me. A thrill. A desire that I couldn’t shake. As much as I hated to admit it, my thoughts were far more occupied
with Lucas than with Kaelen.
Lying back against the pillows, I closed my eyes, willing myself to stop thinking about Lucas. But it was impossible. Every time I tried to focus on Kaelen, on my marriage, Lucas’s face crept into my thoughts. His lips, his hands, the way he had looked at me with such intensity, such hunger.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered the kiss, the way it had made me feel alive in a way I hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t like Kaelen’s touch, which had grown distant and routine. No, with Lucas, it had felt like I was the center of someone’s universe, like I was truly
.seen.
But that was wrong. It was so wrong, and I knew it. I had married Kaelen. I had fought for this moment, to be with him, to finally be his. Yet here I was, lying in bed, thinking about another
man.
I turned onto my side, curling up into a ball as if I could physically push the thoughts away. But they wouldn’t leave me. Lucas had kissed me, and I had kissed him back. And now, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Was it the frustration with Kaelen that pushed me into Lucas’s arms? Or was it something more? Something deeper, something I had been ignoring for too long?
I tried to reason with myself. I had wanted Kaelen for so long. I had waited patiently for him to choose me, to give me the life I always dreamed of. And now, I had him. But instead of feeling satisfied, I felt empty.
Was it because of Kaida? The way her name still lingered on his lips, the way she still seemed to occupy his thoughts even though she was long gone? Every time he looked at me, I could see the ghost of her in his eyes. And it drove me mad.
Maybe that’s why Lucas had been so tempting. Because with him, there was no Kaida, no competition, no ghost haunting our every interaction. With Lucas, I was just… me.
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But that didn’t make it right.
+25 Points
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I needed to focus. I needed to remember what I had fought for, what I had won. Kaelen was my husband. He had chosen me. I couldn’t let a moment of weakness ruin everything I had worked so hard
for.
And yet, the memory of Lucas’s kiss lingered, a spark that refused to die out.
The next morning, I woke up before Kaelen, slipping out of bed quietly so I wouldn’t disturb him. I needed time to think, time to clear my head before facing him again.
I headed out to the garden, the cool morning air brushing against my skin as I sat down on one of the stone benches. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden glow over the flowers, but even the beauty of the morning couldn’t ease the turmoil inside me.
I was torn between two men, and I didn’t know how to make it stop.
As I sat there, lost in thought, I heard the door to the house creak open. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Lucas walking toward me. His gaze met mine, and for a moment, neither of us said anything. The tension between us crackled in the air, and I felt my pulse quicken.
“Alara,” he said, his voice low and serious. “We need to talk.”
I stood up, wrapping my arms around myself as if I could shield myself from what was coming. “About last night?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, stepping closer. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
My breath caught in my throat, and I looked away, unable to meet his intense gaze. “Neither have I,” I admitted.
Lucas reached out, gently taking my hand in his. His touch was warm, familiar, and it sent a shiver through me. “We can’t keep doing this,” he said softly. “But… I don’t know if I can stop.”
I closed my eyes, my heart racing as I felt the weight of his words settle over me. Neither could I.
But as much as I wanted to lose myself in Lucas, I couldn’t forget who I was. I was Kaelen’s wife. This was wrong.
“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Lucas stepped closer, his hand sliding up to cup my cheek. “I think you do,” he said gently, his thumb brushing over my skin.
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+25 Points
For a moment, I leaned into his touch, letting myself feel the warmth of his hand, the comfort of his presence. But then I pulled away, the weight of reality crashing down on me.
“I’m married,” I said, my voice firm, though my heart was breaking. “And if you keep making advances at me, I’ll have no choice but to tell Kaelen about it.”
I saw the masked shock on his face briefly before I turned around to leave but his words held
me back.
“Would you?” He asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Without turning around, I raised my head high and replied to him. A bold aura emanating
from me.
“Dare me, Lucas.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
