Chapter 1: Introduction
Alex tossed back the last of his whiskey, savoring the liquid fire cascading down his throat. He couldn't help but check out Crys, who leaned against the counter, watching him. Despite Jasmine's tears, the woman before him was a living temptation.
Her silk dress was painted on, accenting her slim waist and full breasts. Her fiery red hair curled around her shoulders, teasing him like a tantalizing promise. The green came from her expressive eyes, reflecting the excitement he knew she felt at being with him.
There was something wild about her, and Alex couldn't help but be drawn to it. It was as if they both knew they shouldn't be doing this, and that made it all the more exhilarating.
He couldn't deny the thrill of the situation any longer. Alex crossed the room in three long strides and pulled Crys into his arms. The kiss was electric, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away.
Jasmine's cries were a soft echo in the background, but they seemed distant, unimportant even.
It was as if Crys and Alex had entered some sort of bubble, and nothing else mattered but the here and now.
As they kissed, Crys' body pressed against his, and Alex could feel her heart beating rapidly, as quick and frantic as a bird's. It was intoxicating, knowing that he could have such an effect on her. It had been a long time since he'd felt anything so intense.
He slid his hands down her back, feeling her firm muscles under the soft fabric of her dress.
Alex couldn't resist the curve of her hips, pulling her closer, letting her feel just how much he wanted her.
Jasmine was still there, sniffling quietly from the corner of the room. She was a silhouette against the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights casting an ethereal glow around her. Her pain was palpable, suffusing the loft apartment with a melancholy air.
Despite that, Crys didn't seem to be bothered. It was as if she didn't even notice her sister's presence.
She seemed to be completely lost in the moment, her body moving with an unrestrained passion that matched Alex's own arousal. He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't stop himself from pulling her closer, deepening the kiss that made his head spin.
Crys eagerly responded, her breath hitching in her throat as Alex ran his hands along her waist. Her fingers were surprisingly gentle and soft as she undid the buttons of his shirt, exposing the hard muscles that lay underneath.
"God dammit, Crys, you have no idea what you're doing to me," Alex groaned, pressing his lips to hers once more.
Crys pulled him closer, her body moving against his as they kissed, her hands tracing the lines of his body. Her nails scraped lightly across his chest, causing him to shiver with desire.
For a moment, the two of them paused, their breathing heavy with anticipation. Crys looked into Alex's eyes, her own filled with a desire that matched his own.