The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Truth serum? Or just guilt?
“I kissed her. A few times. We took things slow. I wasn’t sure. Neither was she.”
Because even then—I was using her. The way I was using Tempest now.
But with her… somewhere along the way, I’d stopped.
I started looking forward to her smile more than the seduction. Then I forgot the plan altogether and thought of nothing but fixing things. Switching sides. Fighting for us.
Tempest turned onto her side, watching me. “Does she kiss better?”
I barked out a laugh. “Wow. You really do need all the words, don’t you?”
She scrunched her nose. The way it wrinkled was so damn adorable it hurt. “I’m younger by a minute,” she said with a shrug. “Of course I’m needy.”
I shifted toward her, heart thudding louder than it should’ve. “Must’ve been a long minute.”
She scooted closer. “It was.”
I licked my lips again, slower this time. “Well. I got a minute.”
I didn’t think.
Didn’t hesitate.
I leaned in and kissed her.
Soft at first. Testing. Then deeper, like I needed the lie to feel real.
Our lips slid together perfectly. Her breath hitched. Mine followed.
It was bliss—kissing her.
Easy.
Despite the secrets. Despite the poison. Despite everything.
I told myself it was part of the game. I told myself she’d just assume it was the serum still wearing off.
I was only lying to myself.
The kiss burned down to my soul, past lips, stolen words, confessions.
And not just from the heat between us—but from the truth I wasn’t ready to admit. Her lips moved against mine like a promise I didn’t deserve, soft and desperate and real in a way that terrified me.
I pulled her closer.
She didn’t struggle.
I cupped her breast and pinched her pebbled nipple through her shirt.
She let me.
For a breath.
Then—