“We will be after a massage,” Aria groused, arching her back and glancing at me. “You game for a hot masseuse with godlike hands?”
My breath actually caught at the idea, euphoria entering my system as my eyes lifted to the heavens in thanks. This was a full service lodge. Hope blossomed deep inside my gut. “The type to put warmed oil all over my body?”
Her voice turned cheerful for the first time in hours. “That would be the one.”
I lifted my muddy fist, feeling a spurt of energy as I bounced on the balls of my feet while she fist-bumped me. “Let’s fucking do it. And lots of drinking afterward.”
With my back resting against the bar later that night, positioned next to London and Cia, I sipped on a glass of red wine and watched as Sin made his way through the crowd toward me. The festive merriment was in full swing inside the well-lit, pine paneled bar of the lodge. The decor was a variety of antlers and beer signs, with an actual mechanical bull in the center of the large room. A few individuals in our group had tried, and mastered, the fake brute with entertaining dignity.
With piercing green eyes holding my attention, I already knew what Sin was going to say. I wondered at his choice for the evening, undecided on which woman he would be with. Wretched resolve had hardened my heart to nights like these, and I was sure it was the same for him. But I always prepared myself before the words exited his lips, making sure there were no gaps to the protection of my heart.
I inhaled deeply on self-preservation.
And downed half my glass to fill any other voids.
He stopped in front of me, placing his hands on either side of my arms on the bar, locking me into position. His green hair dangled on each side of his dazzling face, and his beautiful green gaze stared into mine for a long while, holding me captive as no other could.
Eventually, he stated calmly, “I won’t be sleeping in our room tonight.”
I withheld the snort, but I took another large drink. “The fire or the air?”
Cool words. “Both. They’re sisters.”
“Ah.” I chugged the rest of my wine, pulling on my white solace of protection with iron gloves. I managed a smile—for his sake. “Enjoy yourself.”
Green, quiet eyes stared into mine for an extended amount of time. “Okay.”
Not okay. “Okay.”
With a hard jerk, he pushed off the bar and wiped a rough hand over his mouth.
Sin turned from me.
No matter my self-protection, my heart broke a little more as I watched him walk away—again. What was a fleeting moment of pleasure for him was another slivered fracture to my soul. I knew one day my heart would shatter completely, right along with his.
Swallowing hard, I grabbed the bottle of wine I had already purchased, knowing full well what was going to happen tonight. I strode calmly from the establishment without glancing at anyone from our group, wherever the fuck they were standing throughout the place, and exited with my bottle of alcohol.
I headed straight to my room to drown my—usually—ignored agony.
It was going to be a long damn night.
Chapter Three
“Caro?” King Collins asked loudly. “Did you hear me?”
I snapped my gaze in his direction. He sat to my right at the large breakfast table. I was pretty sure he had caught me scooting my food around my plate. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
Blue eyebrows furrowed, but he detailed with calmness, “I was telling you and Aria that we’ll be going into town today. To shop.” His lips curled in amusement. “Since everyone’s idea of a vacation isn’t skiing.”
I made my lips curve believably—I’d had plenty of practice at this—and nodded graciously. “I thank you. And my body thanks you.” I took a sip of my water. I didn’t have a hangover today due to the use of my powers a few days ago. “That sounds much more enjoyable.”
Done playing courteous, I turned my attention back to my plate, returning to scooting my food about. My thoughts grudgingly reverted to the fact I should probably eat since my body had taken a beating yesterday, with more to come I was sure, since there was only so much shopping a group like ours could handle. Sighing silently, I lifted a forkful of eggs that were now cool and that would undoubtedly taste like rubber. But I almost dropped it as King Collins again interrupted my musing, saying loudly, “Caro? Are you listening?”
My lips started to pinch, but I quickly schooled my features and peered up. “Yes?”
There was a long beat of silence around the table, awkward enough I wanted to squirm on my chair, as King Collins’s eyebrows furrowed even further. But he once more spoke steadily, “I asked you where you would prefer to shop today.”