Chapter 174 | Recreational Planning

I caught Aurora’s eye, and something silent passed between us. A question from her, an answer from me. She smiled.

"We’ll see how the night goes," she said. "Right now, we have some time before dinner. I’m going to shower."

"I’ll explore the mini bar," Addison announced.

I watched as Aurora disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. The shower started a moment later. Addison had already located the mini fridge and was examining its contents with critical interest.

"They have decent scotch," she said, holding up a small bottle. "Want one?"

"It’s barely five in the afternoon."

"So?" She cracked the seal on the bottle and took a swig. "Oh, that’s good. You sure you don’t want some?"

I shook my head. "I’m good."

Addison settled back onto the couch, scotch in one hand, phone in the other. "Suit yourself." She swiped through something on her screen. "You know, you’re not what I expected."

"What did you expect?"

"Aurora said you were a lottery winner. Most lottery kids are either desperate try-hards or completely out of their depth." She looked up from her phone. "You don’t seem like either."

"I’m both," I said. "Just hiding it well."

She laughed. "Honest. I like that." Her eyes moved over me appraisingly. "Also, you got a glow-up. Aurora didn’t mention that part."

"Recent development."

"Clearly." She took another sip of the scotch, her throat working as she drank. When she lowered the bottle, her eyes were still on me. "So what’s the deal with you and Aurora? How does this whole situation work?" She gestured vaguely between the closed bedroom door and me. "She usually tells me everything. Like, every fucking detail. But you? She’s been weird about it. Dodgy."

I walked over to the kitchen counter and leaned against it. The marble was cold through my shirt. "What exactly did she say?"

"That you have an ability that makes you... interesting. That you’ve helped her with her powers. That you’re fun." Her eyes narrowed slightly, studying me like I was a puzzle she wanted to solve. "That’s not much for someone she’s bringing to Ventura for an overnight trip."

"Maybe she’s maintaining some privacy."

"Aurora doesn’t do privacy with me." Addison set her phone down. "So what’s your deal? What makes the lottery boy special enough for a shopping spree and a fancy hotel?"

The shower shut off in the other room. I glanced toward the bedroom door.

"You’ll have to ask her."

"I’m asking you."

I met her eyes. "I’m still figuring that out myself."

Addison held my gaze for a long moment before her lips curled into a smile. "Fair enough." She stood up, stretching languidly, her body moving in ways that were impossible not to notice. "I’m going to freshen up in the guest bathroom. When Aurora gets out, tell her I call dibs on the restaurant with the good steaks for dinner."

She sauntered toward the second bathroom, boots left behind, padding across the plush carpet in black socks. The door closed behind her with a soft click.

I exhaled slowly. Being alone with Addison felt like being in a cage with something dangerous that might decide to eat you or might decide to take a nap. Hard to predict which.

The bedroom door opened, and Aurora emerged wrapped in a hotel robe, her orange hair damp and darkened from the shower. She looked around the room.

"Where’s Addy?"

"Bathroom. She said she calls dibs on the restaurant with the good steaks."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Of course she does." She moved closer, looking up at me with a slight tilt to her head. "You okay? This is a lot for one day."

"I’m good." I gestured around the suite. "Just not used to all this."

"The hotel?"

"Any of it. The shopping. The ferry. Ventura." I looked at her. "You and Addison together is a whole experience."

She laughed softly. "We’re a lot, I know." Her eyes searched mine. "Too much?"

I shook my head. "Just different."

"Different good or different bad?"

"Good." I reached out, tucking a strand of damp hair behind her ear. "Definitely good."

Her smile widened, and she stepped closer. "I’m glad you came. Even if I had to trick you into it."

"Next time just ask."

"Where’s the fun in that?" She placed a hand on my chest, fingers tracing the muscles beneath my new shirt. "Besides, you look good in clothes that actually fit you."

"So I’ve been told."

"By who? Addison?"

"She may have mentioned something."

Aurora’s eyes narrowed slightly. "She’s very free with her opinions."

"Seems to be a common trait among your friends."

"Are you calling me opinionated?"

"Would I be wrong?"

She laughed, a genuine sound that crinkled the corners of her eyes. "No. You’d be absolutely right." Her hand moved up to my shoulder, then my neck. "I have opinions about many things. Strong ones."

"Such as?"

"Such as what I want to do right now." She rose onto her tiptoes, bringing her lips close to mine. "Before Addison comes back out."

I closed the distance between us, pressing my mouth against hers. She melted into me, her body warm through the thin hotel robe. Her fingers threaded through my hair, pulling me closer with surprising strength. I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her slightly off the ground. The kiss deepened, her tongue sliding against mine with practiced skill.

When we broke apart, both breathing harder, Aurora’s eyes had that mischievous glint I was coming to recognize.

"I think," she whispered, "we’re going to need to send Addison out on her own tonight."

"Seriously? After all that shopping?"

"The shopping was necessary." She pressed another quick kiss to my lips. "What I’m planning now is... recreational."

The bathroom door opened, and Addison stepped out, face freshly touched up, hair restyled. She took one look at us and smirked.

"Should I book my own room?"

Aurora stepped back from me, but kept one hand on my arm. "Don’t be dramatic. We’re all going to dinner."

"And after dinner?"

"We’ll see."

Addison’s eyes flicked between us, her smirk widening. "I see plenty already."

Addison sighed. "I need to shower. Don’t fuck while I’m gone."