Our little party.

KAIUS ANDREI GAVRILOV

I wanted that kiss more than I wanted my next breath.

The thought of tasting her lips did something vicious to my chest, stirring a hunger I had no business wanting.

Lacey’s hands curled into fists, and, for half a second, I thought she might pull me closer—before she shoved hard against my chest.

I staggered back a step, caught myself, and then she snapped.

“Are you fucking crazy?!”

Maybe.

I huffed out a laugh, my gaze flicking around the party grounds to make sure no one was paying us too much attention.

The last thing I needed was an audience.

I faced her squarely, my voice husky. “You don’t get to act innocent when you’ve been the one flirting with every guy who looks your way.”

She scoffed, eyes blazing, and my gaze dragged down her body without permission over the fitted fabric clinging to her like it was modeled there, designed to make me lose my mind.

“We’re what? Siblings?” She didn’t look away when she said it, and neither did I. “And you want me to kiss you?”

“Step-siblings,” I corrected, stepping forward again to close the gap. “And that word doesn’t mean a damn thing until Viktor and Madeline—”

“—I’m not one of your whores, okay?” Her voice cracked, but her eyes glistened in a way that made my stomach tighten.

“You’ve got plenty of them in there screaming your name without knowing what a pervert you are. Or maybe they do and—”

“—they enjoy getting screwed,” I murmured, leaning in just enough for my words to sink under her skin. “And you’d be no different once your legs were wrapped around my shoulders, begging me not to stop.”

Lacey went completely still, stared at me, wide‑eyed, lips parting slightly before her tongue swept across them, slowly and smoothly.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my hands to stay at my sides because touching her now would ruin us.

The urge to pin her against the nearest wall slammed into me hard. My body was already imagining the heat of her mouth, the taste of her, and the way she’d gasp if I took what she was offering without meaning to.

Why was she doing this to me?

Teasing me with something forbidden. Something impossible. Something I absolutely shouldn’t want but craved.

She swallowed and finally looked away, but when she spoke again, her voice wasn’t as steady.

“You really think your sweet tongue works on me?”

A low chuckle rolled from my chest. I leaned in, my lips brushing the shell of her ear.

“You’ve been testing that theory all night, Lacey.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Kaius.”

Her breath betrayed her, and I smiled against her skin, loving the way she said my name with her accent.

“My name sounds good on your lips,” I murmured. “I’d like to hear you… whisper it beneath my body.”

Her reaction was instant.

Lacey’s palm struck my chest… not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to make a point. She shoved me back a step, eyes burning.

She snickered. “You’re unbelievable, and I know I’ve said this before, but you’re a fucking pervert.”

I laughed softly, not because it was funny, but because her anger tasted like something dangerously close to desire.

“And you’re a terrible liar,” I shot back, my eyes never leaving her mouth. “And guess what? You’re still here.”

“You wish.” She straightened her dress, chin lifting as if she hadn’t just been breathing hard a second ago. “And you’re not getting anything from me. Not a kiss. Not a bribe. Nothing.”

I tilted my head. “Then you should probably get a cab to take you home before I change my mind.”

Her brows knitted. “Change your mind about what?”

“About not calling Madeline,” I said lightly. “Rules are rules.”

Lacey stared at me for the next few seconds in silence, then she shoved my shoulder again. “I’m not doing this with you.”

I caught her wrist to stop her. She froze instantly, panting like she hated herself for reacting.

“You’re going back in there?” I asked. “To what… drink more? Let some guy who doesn’t know you touch you?”

Her head snapped up. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Go home, Lacey.” I said quietly.

She stepped around me, shoulder brushing my arm on purpose this time. The contact was brief and innocent to anyone watching, but my pulse spiked anyway.

“Fuck you, Kaius,” she said over her shoulder, giving me the middle finger. “And stay away from me tonight.”

I watched the way she walked away—slow and deliberate, like she wanted to be followed.

I stayed where I was for a moment, letting the noise of the party crash back in around me.

I hated how empty it felt the second she was gone.

Damn it.

A few seconds later, Cierra appeared at her side, looping an arm through Lacey’s like they’d been friends for years.

I exhaled sharply in relief. At least Cierra wouldn’t let her disappear with some asshole looking for an easy night.

Still, my eyes never left them as I made my way back into the heart of the party.

*

The music thudded louder now, crawling under my skin. I leaned against the wall, jaw tight, eyes tracking her like a bad habit I couldn’t break.

My grip around my glass tightened as I took a sip, staring at the people on the dance floor, but only at her…

Lacey.

She danced like she was trying to forget something.

Her hips moved to the rhythm of the music, hair falling down her back, eyes half-lidded as if she didn’t care who was watching.

Too many people were watching.

Heads turned. Guys noticed—she knew what that dress did. One guy moved closer. Then another, but she ignored all like the plague, yet it didn’t make me feel better.

I felt it immediately… that hot, possessive twist in my chest that had no right to exist and refused to die.

And it got intense after I saw the next guy approaching her. His hand hovered too close to her waist, earning my deadly glare.

I straightened instinctively, realizing who it was—Calvin. But he was known as ‘Sniper’ because of how ruthless he was.

He wasn’t just any guy. We’d been sworn enemies since what happened with Bailey—my ex.

And I knew what he was capable of being that close to Lacey. He leaned too close, like he didn’t understand the word ‘no.’

She laughed at something he whispered in her ear, throwing her head back, and it felt like a personal insult.

I grabbed another drink, barely tasting it, my gaze locked on her. She glanced up just once, and our eyes met across the room.

She didn’t look away, and neither did I.

I gave her a signal to walk away or push him off, but she ignored it and proceeded to kiss his cheek.

My teeth clenched, and for half a second, everything else disappeared.

Then I did something stupid.

A girl brushed past me, smiling flirtatiously. I caught her by the waist and pulled her in, lowering my lips to kiss her deeply, watching Lacey the whole time.

When I glanced back at Lacey, her face had gone still. The realization punched the air out of my lungs.

I let the girl go almost immediately because it didn’t burn the way I needed it to. Lacey had already turned away, downing another drink Ciera handed her.

It felt like a mistake because the girl in my arms meant nothing. And Lacey meant entirely too much.

She stumbled once. Ciera caught her and said something in her ear. Lacey waved her off, gulping down another glass.

I could tell how much effect the alcohol was having on her. I wanted to turn around and ignore her, but when I saw Calvin persisting and hovering around her like a fly, I pushed through the crowd.

By the time I reached her, she was unsteady, swaying slightly, his hands reaching to wrap around her waist.

“Hey.”

My voice cut through the noise as I stepped between them, one hand catching Lacey’s arm as she swayed.

She tried to pull away immediately. “I’m fine.”

“You’re drunk,” I said under my breath.

“Go away,” she snapped, pushing at my chest again, but weakly. “You don’t get to—”

Her heel slipped, and I moved without thinking, catching her just in time.

My arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against me before he could touch her properly. She struggled immediately, palms pressing against my chest.

“Let go of me!”

“You heard her.” Calvin grabbed my hand. “Let her fucking go.”

“Get your filthy hands off her,” I growled, flinching his hands away. “One more move from you, and I’ll break your fucking jaw.”

He chuckled, stroked his chin, and then retreated back into the crowd. I returned my focus to Lacey, giving a glance at Cierra, who turned to leave.

“I’m taking you home right now.”

“I don’t need you,” she slurred, but her body betrayed her, melting back for half a second before she caught herself. “I don’t need you at all.”

“I know,” I said, even as my grip stayed firm. “But you’ve got me.”

Her head tipped back, resting briefly against my shoulder. I could feel her warm breath fanning my skin.

“Don’t… don’t do this,” she whispered, weak but stubborn. “Don’t act like you care.”

I lowered my head, lips hovering near her temple, not touching. “You make it very hard not to.”

She chuckled, the strong stench of alcohol clung to her breath. “Go away, Kaius.”

“I’m not leaving you like this.”

She tilted her head up, eyes furious. “You think you’re some kind of hero now?”

“No,” I said quietly. “I think you need some sleep.”

She tried to push me again but failed. Her head dropped back against my chest, and for one dangerous second, she stayed there.

I swallowed hard, aware of the skin contact and the mesmerizing look in her eyes. She looked extremely sexy in that drunken state.

“Don’t,” she whispered, almost like a warning. “Don’t move.”

I didn’t move.

Neither did she. But I was curious enough to probe.

“Why?”

She looked away first, like she hated herself for what came next. “I—I want to kiss you.”