Whiskey Masked Attraction

s gone wh

a crime. His mouth tasted of whiskey and guilt. His fists were clenched, and t

unge was qui

art th

was done all the same. That kiss hadn't been innocent. It hadn

and cursed under his breath. Wh

st. And when he woke, he'd expect his precious nephew to pour his coffee, suck

ther jacket from the stool,

morning light. It always

rant had built it for his "less impressive" relatives, tran

he floor before heading to the kitchen for black coffee.

hone

wn Nu

gnor

again, this t

nything. It was alcohol

mbs hovering. He could respond

ose s

back, he might say

r enough to remember

'd kiss

wasn't a mistake.

ped the phone an

the back patio, sunglasses shielding bloodshot eyes, barking orders into a phone while

spiked the mom

n't loo

even

he edge of the patio un

ed. "You look like shit.

a smirk. "Can

ink you had the balls to drink the Glenlivet?

er fingers were steady.

ht," Jaxon star

im off. "Wh

froze, then

. Just saying thanks for

d, returning

shing Jaxon's, fleeting as a breeze. Bu

Longing

ooked

bar was quiet, lit with red neon and faded jukebox songs. He

e," he

nig

e mor

tender

n dr

rank

r. Selene. Everything about her was wrong. She

n who ever looked at him like he wasn't

beside hi

I'd find

le

ghtened. "Are

id softly. "

coat, black jeans, and red lips t

close. "Why d

ee if it was just the

nd

e just slightl

d sharply

. No one followed me. He thinks I'm out shopping. I

her voice slic

ime?" h

a mistake. You're... You're younger. Y

oo," Jaxon said

im, eyes glossy. "

. Seconds ticked past. Mu

some cash on the bar, and to

linked.

ight. No questions. No gu

eath c

e follo

ke her to th

her to t

They stood by the edge, shoes off, toes in the sand

nk about runn

time,"

hy don'

now how that

er. "Not if we writ

ips parting to speak

hed her

n't pul

, slower this time.

t r

his shirt. His arms wr

. Not when their bodies found rhythm between sighs and whispered names. Not w

s bea

as w

only the