BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 14

Lost myself looking into Lewis's gaze. There was an energy about him that felt raw and alive. It wasn't just his appearance; it was how he made me feel like I could conquer anything, even my own insecurities.  As I breathed in deeply, catching a whiff of his fresh ocean scent mingled with hints of pine my heart raced. God, this man had a way of pulling me into his orbit without even trying.  Then he took a deep breath himself, as though summoning courage from within before crossing that invisible line between us
"you're so beautiful, winter" he lifts my chin with his finger so I meet his gaze.  We locked eyes for what felt like eternity but was probably only a few seconds before I felt his lips crashing on mine.
When they touched it was like fireworks inside me as the sparks exploded inside me. His lips are petal soft as they move against mine. He wraps his arms around my waist pulling me closer. As his tongue sweeps against my bottom lip, it makes me gasp.
His tongue dances with mine as he deepens the kiss
He eventually pulls back and smiles at me
Just then, Taylor's voice echoed up the staircase from downstairs: "Baby? Are you okay?" His tone turned frantic as he bolted up the stairs.  Lewis broke away abruptly but kept his hands on my waist for just a moment longer—a tether between two worlds now colliding back together too soon.  Taylor burst into the room, relief washing over him as he wrapped me in an embrace that felt protective yet somehow suffocating in contrast to what had just transpired with Lewis.  "Babe," Taylor said breathlessly against my hair, "don't ever do that again! I nearly had a heart attack."  Jack chuckled from behind him before chiming in playfully: "He may not have had a heart attack—but wow! Miss James here really went above and beyond during training! I adore you for that." He flashed me an approving grin that made my cheeks flush even deeper than they already were from being caught mid-kiss.  "Thanks," I mumbled shyly while stealing another glance at Lewis who leaned against the doorframe—his eyes still smoldering with unspoken words.   Jack continued teasingly: "Just don't ever do that again; you're not a stuntwoman!"
"Umm... can I ask if you two are together?" Lewis interjected smoothly yet pointedly.  "Why does that matter to you?" Taylor shot back defensively while crossing his arms over his chest like an impenetrable barrier.
"No offence intended," Lewis replied coolly but there was an undeniable edge to it all—an undercurrent of tension swirling around us like waves crashing on rocks beneath our feet.  "We're not together," I answered quickly before Taylor could jump back in with more bravado than necessary. "We live together; we're friends." The truth slipped out easier than expected despite lingering feelings weighing heavily on my chest.

Taylor laughed nervously; it was true what he said next: "Friends because Winter thinks I'm a playboy."
  "Well..." Jack raised an eyebrow mockingly at Taylor's admission while nudging him lightly with his shoulder. 
"I've been with a few girls," Taylor defended himself half-heartedly but then added softly under his breath: "But I know Winter could be 'the one' if she'd give me half a chance..."  A silence fell upon us until Jack piped up again jokingly about how maybe Winter had her eye on someone else—alluding directly to Lewis who winked back at me knowingly through all this chaotic banter floating around us like confetti caught in wind currents—the atmosphere charged once more by possibilities left unsaid amidst laughter turning serious when we least expected it.
  "Why don't Winter and Taylor join us for BBQ tomorrow?" Jack suggested brightly while trying to keep things lighthearted
"Oh, I have to take Oliver out somewhere special tomorrow—to reward him for doing great for his first week at school but you should go.? Taylor"
" Well, I was going to tag along with you and Oliver, but I can guess I can go"
" well there's only going to be a few family members there so please why don't you come along winter and bring Oliver with you?"Lewis said
" Oliver has a thing about being around too many strangers" Taylor pipes in and tells them
thank fuck for Taylor's quick thinking
" oh okay well if you say so, but the offer is there right Jack? Come on we have some work to do. Lewis said and they walked out.