The laughter was still lingering on Winter’s lips when Karina’s face suddenly shifted, her playful annoyance slipping into something sharper, more serious, her actions driven by a sudden awareness of their surroundings.

Her eyes flicked toward the door as if remembering where they were, as if the walls could grow ears at any second, her paranoia now heightened by the intimate exchange.

Karina leaned in swiftly, her hand lightly pressing against Winter’s shoulder to steady herself, her breath brushing against Winter’s cheek, warm and quick, her touch a desperate attempt to regain control.

“Shh,” she hissed softly, glancing over her shoulder again, her actions urgent and guarded. Her eyes, dark and intense, locked back onto Winter’s, her gaze now serious, her playful demeanor completely gone.

“We can't let anyone know about this,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but her words carried a heavy weight, like a fragile glass balancing on the edge of a table, her actions now driven by a sense of urgency and a deep-seated fear.

Winter blinked, momentarily confused, her grin fading into something more curious, her amusement now replaced by a hint of uncertainty. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes searching Karina’s face, her gaze seeking answers to the unspoken questions that now lingered between them.

“Why?” she whispered back, her voice soft but filled with quiet defiance, her curiosity overriding her concern. “Not even Ningning? Yuna?”

Karina’s jaw tightened, her throat bobbing with a swallow, her actions a silent struggle against her own internal conflict. She shook her head, slow and deliberate, her answer clear and unwavering, her decision made. “Not even them.”

Winter stared for a heartbeat longer, processing the tension woven into Karina's features—the slight furrow in her brows, the way her lips pressed into a thin, worried line, the clear signs of her internal struggle. She could almost see the thoughts racing behind her dark eyes: Orders, reputation, control—all warring against the vulnerability she had just revealed.

And God—Winter found it adorable, the sight of her usually composed lieutenant now a tangled mess of emotions.

The way Karina, this fierce, unshakeable woman who’d faced down enemies without flinching, was now sitting here, unraveling over this, over them, the realization of her vulnerability making her heart skip a beat.

Winter’s lips curved into a mischievous smile, unable to help herself, her teasing nature now taking over, her curiosity piqued by Karina's flustered reaction. She let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head, her amusement now unconcealed. “You’re really stressing out over this, huh?”

Karina scowled, her cheeks betraying her with the faintest flush of color, her embarrassment now more evident.

“This isn’t funny, Winter,” she stated, her voice firm, her tone laced with a hint of annoyance, her actions a deliberate attempt to regain control. She sat up straighter, pulling back slightly as if trying to put space between them, a physical barrier that was clearly meant to help her regain her composure, her attempts to create distance feeling desperate and inadequate.

Winter rolled her eyes, her grin never fading, her amusement still evident in her expression, her body language a clear indication that she was enjoying Karina's flustered state.

Karina scoffed, her annoyance now more pronounced, and made a move to stand, brushing off invisible dust from her pants as if it was an excuse to distance herself, her actions desperate and hurried.

But Winter’s hand shot out, quick despite the dull ache in her muscles, her fingers wrapping around Karina’s wrist, her touch a deliberate act of defiance.

Karina froze, her body reacting instinctively to the touch, her heart pounding against her ribs, the warmth of Winter’s touch seeping through her skin, anchoring her in place, her desire to regain control warring against the vulnerability she had just revealed.

And before Karina could react, before she could throw up her walls again, before she could overthink it and convince herself it was all a mistake— Winter tugged gently, just enough to close the space between them, her actions bold and deliberate, and leaned in, her gaze locking onto Karina’s with an undeniable intensity.

A soft, fleeting peck landed on Karina’s lips, her touch gentle but firm, her actions a silent declaration of her feelings, her boldness now at full display.

Barely a second, a whisper of contact, but it was enough to send a wave of electricity through Karina’s body, a subtle yet significant act of rebellion. It was enough to leave Karina's head spinning, her mind reeling from the sudden intimate touch, her carefully constructed walls starting to crumble under the weight of her own emotions.

Karina’s eyes widened instantly, her breath catching mid-thought, mid-protest, whatever she’d been about to say lost in the static that was now filling her brain, her actions now governed by instinct and an overwhelming sense of confusion. She didn’t move, her body frozen, her mind struggling to catch up to the sudden shift, her defenses momentarily shattered.

Didn’t even blink, her thoughts suddenly replaced by a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

Winter pulled back with a small, triumphant smile, her lips curving with satisfaction, her thumb lazily tracing small circles against Karina’s wrist as if she hadn’t just detonated a grenade between them, her actions nonchalant, her expression hinting at her barely contained glee, her teasing nature now fully unleashed.

Karina remained frozen, her mind racing, her heart pounding against her ribs, her thoughts chaotic, her composure shattered by Winter’s bold move. What the hell just happened? Her heart was thundering, far louder than any gunfire she'd faced, drowning out every logical command screaming in her head, her internal battle now raging with full force.

Then—

It hit her, the realization of what had transpired washing over her like a tidal wave.

She snapped out of her trance with a sharp breath, her face heating up in a way that had nothing to do with anger or embarrassment but was tangled somewhere in between, her internal turmoil a mix of confusion, longing, and a growing sense of desire.

“You—” She didn’t even finish, her words lost in the jumble of emotions that were now overwhelming her.

Her hand shot out, lightly smacking Winter’s arm, her touch teasing and flustered. Then again, her playful violence a desperate attempt to regain her control. And again, her actions a mixture of affection and annoyance.

“You’re such an idiot!”

Smack.

“What was that?!”

Smack.

“I told you to be serious!”

Smack, her words punctuated by the soft taps that were now more like flustered pats.

Winter burst into laughter, her body shaking with amusement, half-heartedly trying to shield herself, her actions a mixture of playful defense and genuine glee.

“Ow—Karina! I’m injured!” she wheezed between giggles, her body shaking more from amusement than pain, her words laced with mock protest. “Stop! I'm sorry!”

Karina’s face was practically glowing red now, her attempts to regain her composure completely failing, her hits more like flustered taps than actual smacks, her frustration a mixture of annoyance and underlying desire.

Her composure was gone—completely and utterly wrecked, her carefully constructed walls now completely demolished, her attempts at control a lost cause. And Winter loved every second of it, her grin widening with an undeniable satisfaction.

With a frustrated groan that sounded more like a strangled whine, Karina spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, her steps loud and uneven, her retreat an act of desperate self-preservation, her need to escape the intimate space overwhelming.

Winter collapsed back onto the bed, clutching her side as she laughed through the dull throb of her injuries, her joy now unrestrained. Her grin lingered, soft and satisfied, her gaze fixed on the doorway where Karina had just disappeared, her feelings now clear and undeniable.

Because for all of Karina’s rules, her walls, her fierce, unshakeable discipline— Winter had found the one battlefield where Karina was completely defenseless, the one place where her control was shattered, the one area where she had exposed her true vulnerability.

And it was glorious.

_

Please go and check out my fourth book, "Under the Petals," thank you.