I WANT AGAIN..

the heat between us

The heat coursing through my body doesn’t lie.

I know she’s here, watching me.

Unable to look away, I swallow hard, feeling my grip on reason slip away.

It’s like an invisible thread tied around my neck, pulling me toward that exact spot. The attraction is unbearable.

I unbutton the collar of my shirt, trying to breathe easier.

— What’s up with you, man?

Liam frowns, noticing how absent I am.

— Nothing, I just got lost in…

— One of your daydreams again? Luis cuts in.

— Yeah, something like that…

I’m lying—kind of. But if I want to make it through this night in peace, I’d rather not get into it.

For those wondering, I do have these… dreams. Waking dreams.

They take me back thousands of years, slipping me into the skin of a man who now feels strangely familiar. And every single time, I’m completely captivated by a woman as breathtaking as the dawn itself—yet whose greed is as boundless as the sky.

These visions started ten years ago.

The day I met her.

I remember standing there, utterly speechless, unable to tear my gaze away from her golden-yellow eyes. Even then, they had that irresistible gleam that said, I want everything, and I will have everything.

Ever since that day, I’ve been haunted by glimpses of another life, by memories that don’t belong to me. A past that isn’t mine—yet somehow, it is.

I shake off the thoughts and force myself back into the present.

The glass in my hand trembles slightly, betraying the storm inside me.

I don’t need to turn around to know she’s there. Lurking in the shadows. Watching me. A predator, carefully observing its prey.

— Seriously, man, you should tell us what’s going on.

Liam claps a hand on my shoulder, concern in his voice.

I force a smile and down my drink in one gulp, hoping the alcohol will drown out the fire burning inside me. The fire that’s been raging for ten years.

Since the moment I first met her.

But it’s not the alcohol making my head spin right now.

It’s her.

A loud shout snaps me out of it.

My brother’s voice.

I turn just in time to see him pushing through the crowd, my mother right on his heels.

— Bro, this party is insane!

Ray grabs a bottle of whiskey, grinning like a kid in a candy store.

— You little brat, messing up your own party like this…

Our mother shoots me a disapproving look before pinching my cheek.

— Ow—Mom! Come on, it’s a great party! Right, guys? Help me convince her!

Luis and Liam burst into laughter while Leon, ever the diplomatic one, steps in to defend me.

— Oh, come on! Even old Mr. Robinson is having fun!

At that, everyone turns to look at Mr. Robinson.

He’s taken off his shirt, and his tie is now wrapped around his head like a bandana.

My mother stifles a laugh, then turns to Leon and presses a kiss to his cheek.

— Maybe I should disown my sons and adopt you instead.

Ray, still sipping straight from a Martell bottle, suddenly stops. He turns to Mom, looking utterly betrayed.

— Mom… I get it with Troy, but me? You can’t do this to me!

Luis doubles over with laughter.

— Dude, your own little brother threw you under the bus.

I watch our mother chuckling along with everyone else.

— Mom… I get it with Ray, but me? You can’t do this to me!

She bursts into full-on laughter.

— You should’ve thought about that before annoying me. Anyway, I’m off! Time to enjoy my life as a free woman.

— Have fun, my dear!

Ray calls after her with a laugh.

As soon as she’s gone, he turns back to me, suddenly serious.

— Can we talk for a second?

I raise an eyebrow but nod.

— Come on.

Without waiting, he heads toward a secluded corner of the garden, away from the noise and prying eyes.

He settles onto one of the lounge chairs and pats the seat next to him.

— What is it?

Why the hell did he drag me all the way out here?

— You know she’s here, don’t you?

I clench my jaw and give a sharp nod.

— And how the hell did that happen?

— You’ll have to ask Mom. I did everything to make sure she wasn’t invited. But the second she found out Banks was in town, she didn’t hesitate.

— She needs to leave. If Leon sees her, it’s going to be an emotional disaster. And I don’t want to deal with that tonight.

— Agreed. So, here’s the plan—I’ll distract the guys, and you… you just stay here.

I narrow my eyes.

— Oh yeah? And why’s that?

— Because you’re a damn magnet for her.

He smirks.

— If you stay put, she’ll come straight to you.

I clench my teeth and throw a playful punch at his arm. He just laughs and walks off, leaving me alone.

Damn it.

He’s right.

Whenever she’s around, my body reacts to her like a force of nature.

And I have zero control over it.

— Hey, Troy…

My blood runs cold.

The last person I wanted to run into tonight.

Promise.

This woman has been a walking disaster since childhood.

And of course, she just had to find me.

If she sticks around, Banks will never come to me.

— Hey.

I keep my tone as cold as possible.

— Still the same, I see…

— What do you want?

— Me? I’m just saying hi to an old childhood friend.

She crosses her legs, the slit in her dress revealing far more than necessary.

— I’d rather be alone, so if you don’t mind… leave.

She laughs—low, sultry, and entirely too self-satisfied.

— Hmm… No thanks. But I am in the mood for something else.

Her eyes flick down toward my thighs.

I roll my eyes.

— Leave me alone, Promise.

— And what do I get in return?

She locks her gaze onto mine, a slow, taunting smile curling her lips.

— Oh, nothing much. Just a kiss, handsome…