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The tension between them had been a constant undercurrent, but that night it felt different.
After dinner, the usual ease and banter were replaced with a strange quietness. Winter noticed it in Karina's glances, the way her fingers toyed with the edge of her shirt, and the fleeting moments where she seemed lost in thought.
Winter couldn't bring herself to break the silence. Her own thoughts were tangled in knots, a swirling storm of guilt, fear, and something far more dangerous-attachment.
As they prepared to sleep, the atmosphere grew heavier. Karina lay on her side, her back turned to Winter, who found herself staring at the faint outline of Karina's shoulder in the dim light.
"Trying to sleep?" Winter muttered, unable to help herself.
Karina didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned her head, meeting Winter's eyes with an expression that made her heart skip a beat.
"Yes," she said simply, her voice soft, almost hesitant. Then, as if proving her point, she shifted onto her side, closing her eyes.
Winter huffed and flopped back onto her pillow, trying not to feel unnerved by Karina's sudden change in demeanor. She shut her eyes and willed herself to sleep, but it was impossible. The bed felt smaller than it should, every movement from Karina magnified as if it were meant to tease her.
After what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, Winter groaned softly and turned over again. "If you don't stop moving around, I swear-"
She froze mid-sentence. Karina was already facing her, eyes wide and dark, as if she'd been waiting for this moment. Before Winter could say another word, Karina leaned forward, her lips brushing against Winter's in a soft, deliberate kiss.
For a second, Winter froze. Karina's lips were soft, warm, and unhurried, lingering with a tenderness that made Winter's heart stutter. Then, Karina's teeth grazed her lower lip, a teasing bite that sent a jolt through Winter's system. A low groan escaped her, and as if on instinct, she kissed back, her hand finding Karina's arm and holding on.
Karina didn't hesitate. She rolled on top of Winter, her knees on either side of her hips, her hands bracketing Winter's head as she deepened the kiss.
Winter was lost in the sensation. Karina tasted faintly sweet, and her citrus-scented shampoo filled the space between them. Winter's fingers curled into the sheets as Karina's tongue brushed against hers, teasing and slow, igniting something in her she couldn't suppress.
Karina tilted her head, changing the angle, a soft sigh escaping her lips as their kiss grew hungrier. Winter matched her pace, her body arching slightly as warmth bloomed deep in her chest.
Karina's hands moved, pinning Winter's wrists gently against the mattress. Winter didn't resist-couldn't resist. She was caught, captivated by the weight of Karina's body against hers, the press of her lips, the way her touch sent shivers down her spine.
