Page 104 of The Colour of Revenge

Carina and I head toward my bedroom, deciding to stay here tonight and leave Enzo to handle things at her place. I don’t like the idea of him having free rein there, but she insists there’s nothing to worry about—and I trust her.

At least, I’m trying to.

Unlike her.

The sting of it still lingers, sharper now that the adrenaline is fading. The betrayal gnaws at me in the quiet, creeping in like an open wound left to fester.

“I can’t believe I’ve never been in your bedroom before,” Carina teases, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Does it live up to expectations?” I ask, my voice flat.

She tilts her head, mock inspecting the room. “Not enough throw pillows for a man of your sophistication, but I’ll allow it.”

“Thanks for your approval,” I mutter, dropping onto the bed with the energy of a deflated balloon.

She tilts her head, frowning. “Nate?”

“Mmm?”

“Are we okay?”

I let out a heavy sigh, my exhaustion doing the talking. “I don’t know.”

She steps closer, her tone soft but insistent. “Talk to me?”

“I’m… hurt,” I admit, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

“Well, that’s fair enough,” she says, nodding. “I was a bitch.”

“Stop sounding so reasonable. I’m trying to stay mad.”

Her laugh is light and warm, wrapping around me like a lifeline. “Okay, okay. I can’t believe you’re mad at me. I acted like a completely rational and well-adjusted person.”

She’s mocking me.

It’s enough to crack through the haze in my mind. I grab her by the waist and pull her down onto the bed, flipping us over. Her surprised squeal turns into gasps of laughter as I attack her sides, tickling her until she’s breathless.

“Do you promise not to do that again?” I demand, grinning despite myself.

“Yes!” she cries, squirming under my hands.

“Do you promise to talk to me next time instead of jumping to conclusions?”

“Yes! Nate, I promise!”

I stop, my hands still on her hips.

The room shifts.

The playful edge blurs into something heavier, something charged. Her laughter fades, replaced by her quick and uneven breathing.

I look down at her. Her big blue eyes meet mine, wide, searching, brimming with something deeper than amusement.

The space between us thickens.

I dip my head, brushing my lips against hers. Not a kiss. Not yet. Just a question, unspoken.

She answers with a soft, shuddering breath—and that's all I need.