Chapter 57 – Undeniable Desire

Matt, Sean, Billy, and Rose had all stumbled off to bed, drunk and giddy, their laughter echoing faintly down the hall. Wyatt had left earlier, leaving Anastasia and Bastian alone in the silent dining room, a faint glow of candles flickering between them. The champagne bottles were spread around the table, mainly empty, although the two of them hadn't drank as much as the others.

Anastasia sat back in her chair, Bastian studied her from across the table, his gaze intent and filled with something deeper than their usual banter. She spun the stem of her champagne glass absentmindedly while feeling the pull between them, a tension that had been building for weeks.

"You know, for someone who supposedly wanted to celebrate, you didn't drink much," Bastian observed, leaning closer with a playful yet curious tone. "What's your strategy, Ana? Are you staying sober to keep me in check?"

Anastasia grinned as she laid her drink down. "Someone has to stay in control because I can't have you all making a mess of things." Her tone was fun and humorous, but her eyes revealed a different story. She was watching him back attentively, almost daring him to do something.

He giggled gently, sliding in his position so their knees touched under the table, sending a thrill through her. "I assumed you were saving yourself for something else. Maybe for me?" His voice lowered considerably with a touch of something darker seeping in, but he maintained the facade of being 'Warren.'

Anastasia felt her heart skip a beat but kept it calm. Instead, she leaned forward, resting her chin against her palm and smiled gently. "Maybe I was," she mumbled, her voice as low as his. "Or maybe I've just been waiting for you to make a move."

There was a flicker in his eyes, something that told her she'd hit the mark. He was still trying to play Warren, but the way he looked at her now—intense, hungry—it was all Bastian. He wasn't just her protector, not anymore. He was someone who wanted her as much as she wanted him, but he thought she didn't know - he thought he was still hiding.

Bastian drew in closer, his breath warm on her skin, and murmured, "You don't know what you're asking for, Ana." His fingers extended out, stroking a stray strand of hair behind her ear for just long enough to send shivers down her spine.

She tilted her head slightly, giving him the barest invitation to move closer, her lips curling into a soft, teasing smile. "Maybe I do. Maybe I've known for a while now."

He swallowed, eyes flicking to her lips before settling back on her eyes. For a second, he looked like he might say something, confess something, but then he caught himself. Instead, he grinned, that familiar cocky smile that was so very 'Bastian.' "You're playing with fire, Ana."

"Maybe I like the burn," she shot back, her voice a breathy whisper.

In a smooth, slow motion, he stood and came around the table. The air between them crackled with unsaid words and long-simmering yearning. He came to a halt in front of her, his hand softly resting on the back of her chair, and looked down at her with an expression that made her heart accelerate.

She did not move at first, simply sat there, allowing the tension to grow. Then she gently rose up, her body brushing against his, feeling his warmth and power. He did not pull away. Instead, his hand found her waist and drew her in closer until there was virtually no room between them.

Anastasia gazed up at him, her breath caught in her throat as she saw the intense need in his eyes. His grip on her waist tightened slightly, and his other hand moved up to gently tilt her chin and for a moment, they just stood there as they stared at each other, the world outside dissolving into nothing as it always did when they were alone together looking at one another this way.

Then, finally, he leaned down, his lips barely grazing her ear as he whispered, "I've been fighting this for a long time."

Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure he could hear it. She tilted her head, her lips brushing the corner of his mouth. "Then stop fighting."

That was all it took.

Bastian kissed her, and everything else melted away. His lips were soft but firm, his kiss slow at first, testing, as if he was still holding back. But the moment she kissed him back, pulling him closer, it all fell apart. He deepened the kiss while his hands roamed up her back, pressing her body against his as if he couldn't get enough.

Anastasia moaned softly into his mouth, her hands tangling in his hair as she let herself get lost in the moment tasting his champagne glazed tongue mixed with that familiar taste of her first love that made her head spin.

They stumbled backward, still kissing, his hands now gripping her hips as he guided her toward the staircase. The logical part of her brain was screaming at her to stop, to think this through, but she couldn't. Not when his lips were on hers, not when his hands were tracing lines of fire up her body, making her feel things she hadn't felt in years.

They made it to the stairs, their kiss turning frantic, desperate. His mouth moved to her neck, and she gasped at the feeling of his teeth grazing her skin. "Ana," he whispered against her neck, his voice hoarse with need.

She didn't respond with words, just a soft moan as she tugged him toward the stairs. They barely made it up to the landing, bumping into the walls, hands everywhere, mouths never breaking apart for more than a second. Her back hit the door of his room, and he fumbled with the knob, finally shoving it open and pulling her inside.

Once the door clicked shut behind them, he pressed her up against it, his body flush with hers. His lips found her neck again, and this time he bit down lightly, making her arch into him, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Her hands slid up his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through his shirt. She could feel how much he wanted her, the tension in his muscles, the way his breath hitched every time she touched him.

Bastian lifted his head, looking at her with something close to desperation. "Ana…" he whispered her name like a plea, his lips hovering just above hers again. He didn't know. He didn't know she already knew.

And that's when she leaned into him, her lips brushing his ear as she moaned softly, her voice low and breathy. "Bastian."

Everything froze.