As we pulled up to the restaurant, Everest guided the bike smoothly into a parking spot near the entrance. The building was small and intimate, with warm string lights draped over the outdoor patio. The soft hum of conversation and clinking silverware filled the air, mingling with the scent of grilled seafood and freshly baked bread.

Everest killed the engine, and I reluctantly let go of him, smoothing out my dress as I swung my leg over the bike. He climbed off effortlessly, running a hand through his still slightly damp hair before turning to me. His eyes flickered over me again, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

"You clean up nice," I teased, nudging him with my elbow as we walked toward the entrance.

He smirked. "And you're full of surprises."

The hostess greeted us with a polite smile, leading us to a quiet corner booth inside. The dim lighting cast soft shadows across Everest's face, making him look even more mysterious than usual. I picked up my menu, though I barely looked at it—I was too focused on the fact that we were actually here, together, at dinner, like a real couple.

The thought made my stomach twist.

After we placed our orders, an easy silence settled between us. I traced patterns along the condensation on my water glass before finally looking up at him.

"So," I started, tilting my head slightly. "Are we going to pretend this is normal, or are we going to talk about it?"

Everest raised an eyebrow. "Talk about what?"

I scoffed. "Oh, I don't know. The fact that we keep saying we're not a thing, but here we are, having a nice dinner together, you buying me a dress, and—" I gestured vaguely toward him. "This."

He leaned back against the booth, watching me carefully before sighing. "Does it bother you?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it. Did it? I wasn't sure.

"No," I admitted finally, stirring my straw in my drink. "It just...confuses me."

Everest studied me for a moment, then leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Maybe it doesn't have to make sense right now," he said. "Maybe we just see where it goes."

I searched his face, trying to read between the lines. He wasn't someone who said things just to say them. He meant that. And maybe he was right. Maybe I didn't need to have all the answers right now.

Dinner passed in a comfortable rhythm after that—light conversation, teasing remarks, stolen glances. By the time the check arrived, I realized how much I had actually enjoyed myself.

As we stepped outside, the night air was cooler, a soft breeze rolling in from the ocean. Everest walked ahead toward the bike, and I followed, my heels clicking lightly against the pavement.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked, tossing me a smirk over his shoulder.

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "I guess not."

He held out his helmet for me, and I took it, slipping it over my head before climbing onto the bike. As I wrapped my arms around his waist again, I felt something shift—not just in the air, but between us.

Maybe we weren't ready to define whatever this was. But for now, I was okay with that.

And as Everest revved the engine and we sped off toward the cottage, I let myself enjoy the moment.

The moment Everest parks the bike, I don't hesitate. I leap off, my feet landing on the ground as I rush past the house, the sand soft beneath me. I don't stop until the cool water of the ocean meets my toes.

"Avery!" Everest calls after me, his voice low and playful. I turn around, laughing as I go. I was in an undeniably good mood—only one margarita in, so I wasn't tipsy, just carefree.

A mischievous gleam flickers in my eyes as I keep my gaze locked with his. Without breaking our eye contact, I lift the sides of my dress, sliding it off my body and tossing it aside.

I throw the dress onto the ground and dive into the warm, welcoming water. The sun had already started to set as we made our way home, and by the time I emerged, the moon hung high in the sky, unobstructed by clouds.

As I surface, brushing my hair out of my face, I spot Everest standing at the shore. His arms are crossed, a smirk playing on his lips, reminding me of the same expression he had when he stole my clothes back at the farm.

"Scared of the water, Sin?" I tease, splashing a bit of water in his direction, though it doesn't quite reach him.

"No, but you should be scared of me," he retorts, his tone full of challenge as he unbuttons his shirt and sheds his jeans, leaving only his boxers.

Unlike me, who's completely naked in the water, he hesitates only for a moment before diving in after me. I giggle and swim a bit farther, laughing as I try to get away, my heart light and full of joy.

Suddenly, his strong hand wraps around my ankle, pulling me under the surface. I gasp, my instinct to grab onto anything for support. We resurface together, and my hand is firmly grasping his hair, my fingers tangled in the wet strands.

He wipes the water from his face, his other hand finding its place on my lower back, pulling me against him with ease.

"Oops," I say, still laughing, releasing his hair and wrapping both arms around his neck. His grip on me is effortless, as if I weigh nothing at all.

"What's so funny?" he asks, his hot breath fanning my face. Before I can respond, he nips at my neck, a playful challenge.

"Everest, you're gonna leave a mark," I protest, rubbing the spot where his teeth grazed my skin.

He raises an eyebrow, his smirk only deepening as he meets my gaze. "Who?" he asks, pulling me closer by the back of my neck.

"Sin," I whisper, our lips so close now, barely brushing against each other.

As his lips brush against mine, a surge of warmth pulses through me, making my heart race. The world around us fades away, leaving only the two of us, tangled in the salty embrace of the ocean and each other. His touch is tender yet commanding, sending electricity through my skin as his hands find their way to my waist, pulling me closer. The waves crash around us, a perfect rhythm for the intensity building between us.

I can feel his breath on my lips, heavy and full of need, as his hands begin to roam, exploring with the same hunger in his kiss. My fingers grip his shoulders, trying to hold onto something as the ground beneath me shifts with the pull of the water. We're in sync now, our bodies responding to each other in a way that feels inevitable, like it's always been meant to be this way.

His lips trail from mine, down my neck, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. I let out a soft gasp, the cool water mingling with the warmth of his touch. It feels like I'm drowning, but in the best possible way, caught between the gentle push and pull of the ocean and the urgency of him.

He pulls away just enough to look me in the eyes, his gaze dark and intense, full of emotion. "I want you," he murmurs, his voice husky, each word weighing heavy between us.

Before I can respond, he lifts me in one effortless motion, his arms strong around me, holding me as if I weigh nothing. My body reacts instantly, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, pulling myself closer. He carries me out of the water, each step strong and steady as he makes his way to the shore. The cool night air bites at my skin, but I don't care. I'm lost in the moment, in him.

We reach the cottage, and I can feel the tension between us, thick and palpable. He sets me down gently, but his hands are still on me, as if he's afraid to let go.

I rise onto my tiptoes, nipping at his lip before pulling away, playful giggles escaping as I put space between us. I weave around the counter, teasing him, keeping just out of reach.

"What are you doing?" he asks, his voice low and steady as he watches me from across the kitchen.

"Nothing," I shrug, slipping from his near grasp again, the corner of my lips twitching into a smirk.

His patience snaps. "I'm not playing games with you."

Before I can escape again, his hand catches my wrist, yanking me into him. My body collides with his, breath hitching as I stare up into his darkened eyes. The moment is thick with heat—until I let the words slip.

"Isn't your old lady gonna be mad you're doing this with me?" My Southern accent laces the joke, but the second it leaves my lips, I know I've fucked up.

Everest's entire demeanor shifts in an instant. His grip loosens, his expression hardening as he pulls back to look at me like I just spoke a foreign language.

"What did you just say?" His voice is low, deadly serious.

My smile falters, turning into something unsure. "Bree. The girl you have living in your trailer."

The air between us changes. The tension is no longer playful or charged with desire—it's thick with unspoken words, laced with something heavier, darker.

"She ain't my old lady. Who the fuck told you that?" He spits the words like venom, turning away from me. He yanks open the fridge, grabs a beer, and slams the door shut with so much force the bottles inside rattle.

"I was just joking, Sin." I tread carefully now, knowing full well I've stepped onto dangerous ground.

"You don't joke about that." He takes a long swig of his beer before plopping onto the couch, his eyes stormy and unreadable. "That's just as sacred as the brotherhood."

I follow him, knowing I've completely shattered the moment. The oversized button-up he threw over me earlier drapes over my body, suddenly feeling too big, too heavy.

"I'm sorry... let's not ruin the night." My voice is softer now, an attempt to smooth over the wreckage I caused.

He scoffs, lips curling into a smirk that doesn't quite reach his eyes as he tilts the bottle back for another drink. "Was gonna happen sooner or later."

The words hit harder than they should. My chest tightens, and I sink onto the edge of the chair next to him, reaching out to place a hand on his knee. "Don't say that. Please. I said I was sorry."

Everest doesn't respond—just downs the rest of his beer in one gulp before standing abruptly, putting distance between us as if my touch burned him.

I watch him walk back into the kitchen, and a sinking feeling settles in my stomach. The scene unfolding before me is too familiar—too damn close to memories I've spent years trying to forget. My hands clench into fists as flashes of the past invade my mind. I remember the nights I chased after Logan, begging through swollen lips and bruised skin, pleading for him not to leave me.

No. Not again. Not with Everest.

"Just drop it," he mutters, reaching for another beer.

Anxious energy coils in my chest, snapping before I can stop myself. I rush forward, rip the bottle from his grasp, and hurl it into the sink. The glass shatters instantly, the sharp sound slicing through the air like a gunshot.

His gaze snaps to mine, fire and warning burning in his eyes.

"Go to bed, Avery." His voice is low, controlled—but I refuse.

"No!" I shove him back, fists trembling. "I refuse to go through this all over again. Not with you, Everest."

His expression flickers, something foreign crossing his face—confusion, anger, maybe even guilt. He doesn't step back, doesn't run like Logan always did. Instead, he moves toward me, slow and deliberate.

"I just want to be normal," I choke out, my voice raw, broken. I know I probably look like a mess—mascara streaked down my cheeks, my hair tangled and damp from the salt water—but I don't care.

Everest exhales sharply, shaking his head. "I'm not normal. I'm far from normal." He takes another step, pointing a finger at me, his voice steady but heavy with something unspoken. "You are not normal."

My back presses against the wall as he closes the distance, his finger moving between us. "We are not normal, Avery. Me. You. Us. We're never going to be normal."

A lump lodges in my throat. A single tear slips down my cheek, and before I can second-guess it, I do the only thing my body demands—I throw myself at him, crashing my lips against his.

The second my lips crash into his, Everest doesn't hesitate. His hands are on me instantly—one gripping my waist, the other tangling in my hair as he presses me hard against the wall. The kiss is rough, desperate, all fire and frustration wrapped into one. I can taste the beer on his tongue, the heat of his breath mixing with mine as I clutch onto his shoulders, nails digging into his skin like I need to hold onto something solid before I lose myself completely.

His fingers tighten in my hair, tilting my head back as his lips leave a scorching trail down my neck. I gasp, my body arching into him, a heat so intense pooling in my core I feel like I might combust. "Everest..." His name slips from my lips, half moan, half plea, and it ignites something primal in him.

Without warning, he grips my thighs and lifts me effortlessly. I wrap my legs around his waist, feeling the hardness of his body pressed against me as he carries me through the house. His lips never leave my skin, hot and demanding as he kisses, bites, and soothes the marks he leaves behind.

We barely make it to the bedroom—our path a mess of knocked-over furniture, stolen breaths, and clothing stripped away in haste. He kicks the door open, not bothering to close it before tossing me onto the bed. I land with a soft gasp, my body burning, my heart pounding like a war drum.

Everest towered over me, his presence dominating the space between us. His knee pressed between my thighs, parting them effortlessly as our bodies molded together. His lips were on mine, hungry and urgent, as if we were both desperate to consume each other.

"I want you, Sin. All of you," I murmured breathlessly between kisses, my fingers tangling in his hair.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Gently, he brushed a stray piece of hair from my face, his touch unexpectedly tender.

"I've always wanted you, Avery. I always do," he whispered against my lips, his words igniting something deep within me.

His hands moved beneath the oversized button-up he had thrown over me earlier, his rough fingers trailing up my sides, leaving a burning path in their wake. I lifted my arms without hesitation, letting him slip the fabric away until I lay bare beneath him.

He shifted to his knees, his gaze roaming over me, slow and deliberate. The heat in his eyes made me squirm beneath him, my body reacting to the weight of his stare before he had even touched me.

I sucked in a breath as his thumb grazed over my hardened nipple, a delicious shiver coursing through me at the simple yet devastating touch.

Then, he stood, and my eyes instinctively followed his movements. When he pushed his boxers down, my lips parted slightly, memories flashing through my mind. I had known this part of him before—years ago, beneath the cover of a tent—but now, standing before me, he seemed even more overwhelming. My body tensed in anticipation, equal parts excitement and the slightest hint of fear.

Everest grasped my hips, dragging me toward the edge of the bed, my body pressing against his in the most intimate way. My legs rested on his shoulders as he leaned down, his lips pressing soft, lingering kisses along my collarbone, trailing lower, over the curves of my body.

Every touch sent sparks of pleasure racing beneath my skin. When his lips reached my stomach, I sucked in a shaky breath, my fingers instinctively threading through his hair. But when his mouth finally found me, my back arched off the bed, a sharp gasp spilling from my lips, drowning in the ecstasy of his touch.

Every vibration sent me deeper into bliss, my body trembling beneath his touch. His fingers trailed from my breasts, teasing their way down until they hovered at my entrance, tracing slow, torturous circles.

"Ahhh, Everest..." I moaned, my hips instinctively tilting toward him, aching for more. But just as the pleasure built to an unbearable peak—he stopped.

My eyes snapped open, my breath hitching in frustration. "Wha—" I looked up at him, a mixture of desperation and disbelief flooding through me.

His gaze was dark, almost black with intensity. He held my stare as he exhaled a slow, deliberate breath against my already-sensitive core, sending a violent shiver up my spine. "Who?" His voice was low, commanding.

"Sin," I whispered, my voice breaking with need.

The second the word left my lips, he was on me again, his fingers plunging into me without hesitation. My body arched in response, moving instinctively to match his rhythm.

My head thrashed against the pillows, nails clawing at the sheets as waves of pleasure crashed over me. Every stroke brought me higher, tighter, until the coil inside me snapped. My release ripped through me, my back arching impossibly high, a strangled gasp tearing from my throat as I desperately sucked in air.

Before I could fully recover, Everest surged forward, crashing his lips against mine. The taste of myself on his tongue only ignited the fire in me all over again. He didn't waste a second—grabbing my thighs, he wrapped my legs around his waist, his hardened length rubbing against my slick entrance.

And then, with one powerful thrust, he was inside me.

A long, unrestrained moan escaped us both, the pleasure so overwhelming it felt as if we had been waiting for this moment forever.

The entire house echoed with our tangled moans, the rhythmic slap of our bodies colliding, the creaking of the bed, and the steady thud of the headboard against the wall—all blending into a symphony of pleasure.

If someone walked in right now, they'd probably think we were filming a porno.

The sheer intensity of it all—his movements, the way he filled me so perfectly—had my eyes rolling back, my nails digging into his shoulders as my hips instinctively met each of his deep, deliberate thrusts. His mouth roamed over me, lingering on my neck before trailing down to my breasts. He worshiped them, kissing, flicking, cradling them as if he couldn't get enough.

"Fuck, Avery," he groaned, his voice rough and raw.

I moaned in response, lost in the overwhelming sensation that consumed every inch of me. My thoughts had been completely erased, replaced by the sole focus of the climax building deep within my core.

His fingers slid between us, finding my clit with skilled precision, rubbing in tight, expert circles. He knew exactly what he was doing—there was no question about that. And as much as I didn't want to think about the experience he'd gained over the years, I couldn't deny how effortlessly he unraveled me.

"Sin!" I cried out as my body snapped like a live wire, limbs turning to liquid as the orgasm ripped through me. Pleasure crashed over me in relentless waves, leaving me breathless, trembling, and completely undone.

I barely registered the moment he released inside me—I was too lost in the never-ending high, drowning in the aftershocks. And through it all, our eyes remained locked, staring straight into each other's souls.

I'd seen Everest relaxed this weekend, softer than usual, but I had never seen him vulnerable—until now, as he came undone above me.

With a heavy exhale, he collapsed onto the mattress beside me, both of us lying there, trying to catch our breath. I turned my head to look at him, and he did the same, a slow, knowing smile spreading across his lips.

"Hey," I murmured, rolling onto his chest and tracing the inked patterns on his skin.

"Hey," he replied, his voice hoarse, filled with something deeper than just exhaustion.

"That was really good," I giggled, tilting my head up to bat my lashes at him, knowing exactly what effect my blue eyes had on him. He had always said they were the first thing he noticed about me—the one thing that caught him off guard every time. The one thing he wanted to wake up to every morning and fall asleep to every night.

It was a weakness of his, no matter how much of a hard-ass he tried to be.

"That ain't nothin', babe," he smirked, sitting up and stretching, the wings tattooed on his back flexing with his muscles.

I watched him, still breathless, before he extended his arm, silently gesturing for me to take it.

"Shower with me."

With Everest, his requests always felt more like commands, yet I never hesitated to obey.

I took his hand, letting him pull me up, and followed him into the bathroom, where we spent the next hour losing ourselves in each other all over again.