Morning came gently, the sun's soft rays sneaking into the room. I woke up to the smell of food and the sound of John humming lowly in the kitchen. It felt… warm. Peaceful. Something I hadn't felt in years.
Soon, breakfast was ready, and we sat quietly—eating together, occasionally stealing glances at each other. I caught him staring at me more than once, his eyes filled with something deep—something burning.
"You cooked well…" I whispered, placing my spoon down.
John smirked a little. "I told you… I can take care of you now."
I smiled faintly, but the moment felt too fragile to ruin with words. After breakfast, we sat together in silence until his hand slowly reached for mine. He intertwined our fingers, staring at me like he was trying to memorize my face.
"I can't believe you're here… right in front of me," he said softly, pulling me closer until I was sitting on his lap. "Do you… know how long I've waited for this?"
Before I could answer, his lips crashed onto mine—desperate, needy. It wasn't like the soft kiss from last night. This was different. Raw. Filled with every bottled-up emotion he had been hiding.
I gasped against his lips, but he didn't stop. His arms wrapped tightly around me, pulling me even closer until there was no space left between us. His lips moved hungrily, devouring every sound I made.
"John—" I tried to pull away, but he growled lowly, his grip tightening. "Please… let me… catch my breath…"
He blinked, almost like he had been lost for a moment. But instead of stopping, he leaned in again, his breathing heavy. "I… I'm sorry… I don't want to stop… but—"
His hands trembled as they trailed down my waist, his lips brushing against my ear. "I nearly… did something I would regret. Not because I don't want you… but because… not now… you're still healing."
I stared at him, my face flushed. "John…"
He rested his head against my chest, breathing heavily. "I lost control… I just… I need time. We need time. I don't want to hurt you like everyone else did. I want to do this right… I swear."
I wrapped my arms around him, feeling his heartbeat race. "I know… I know, John… it's okay."
He sighed deeply, hugging me tighter. "I just love you… too much. And that scared me."
We stayed like that—silent, breathing together, hearts beating as one. And for the first time, I understood… his love wasn't just words. It was deep… painful… but real.
John didn't sleep. Instead, he sat quietly in my study room, working on his laptop while I laid on the couch, reading a story. The sound of his keyboard tapping was the only thing filling the silence.
I stole glances at him now and then. His serious face, his furrowed brows, his lips pressed tightly as he focused—it made me smile faintly. For the first time, I admired him silently, wondering how I never noticed how handsome he was when he worked.
Soon, the words on the pages blurred, my eyes growing heavier until I finally dozed off.
I didn't know how long I slept, but when I woke up, it was already dark. The moonlight slipped through the window, casting a soft glow across the room. I yawned and stretched, feeling a strange calmness I hadn't felt in years.
John noticed me waking up. He stood, smiling softly, and walked over. "You're awake?"
I nodded. "Mm… What time is it?"
"It's night already," he said. "Come on… let's eat."
We ate quietly. There was nothing grand about it, just simple food, but somehow… it felt like the best meal I'd had in ages.
After dinner, John sat back and cleared his throat. "Emm… I have some work to do tomorrow," he started, his voice low but careful. "And… I've been thinking. You can't stay here alone anymore."
I blinked at him. "What do you mean?"
He smiled faintly. "You'll come with me… to my house. Just until I finish what I have to do."
I stared at him for a moment, then lowered my gaze. "Are you sure?"
John reached out, brushing my hair back gently. "I wouldn't say it if I wasn't. Tomorrow morning, we're leaving."
Something inside me felt warm… like I finally had somewhere to go. Somewhere I belonged.
"Okay… I'll go with you," I whispered.
He smiled, that gentle smile that made my heart skip. "Good. You're mine now… remember that."
And just like that… the night felt less lonely.