Kalix stared at the bed long after the lights were off.
Winter lay curled on her side, perfectly still, pretending to be asleep. But he knew better. Her breathing was too even, too practiced. He could almost feel her smirk from across the room.
She was playing him and doing it damn well.
Kalix rolled his shoulders, stepped out of his shirt, and let it fall to the floor. If she wanted to play… he could play.
Tickling was off the table. Fine. But seduction? That was his battlefield.
He slid under the covers silently, moving like a predator closing in on his prey. He didn't touch her not yet. Just let his presence heat the air around them.
Winter felt the shift in the mattress and tensed ever so slightly, which only encouraged him more.
"Winter," he murmured, his voice low and rough in the dark.
She said nothing.
Kalix leaned closer, his lips brushing her bare shoulder. "Still upset?"
Silence.
