Chapter 3

“There’s a matching set of pajamas on the bed,” he said, already walking away. “Put them on.”

“For what?He paused.

Looked back. Smiled slow, devastating.“To match mine.”

Then walked out of the room

What just happened?

What is going on?

Am I in a relationship… or is this just a fling?

Does Kai Ashford actually like me?

Is he in love with me?

I don’t even know anymore. All I know is...I ...I love it. I love the attention, the way he looks at me, the rush of it all. I love how everything feels new and thrilling.

He’s my boss, always in control. So why does he want me, treat me like I’m the only one he see? Why all this confession he gave to me Why does it feel like I matter to him more than I should?

Before I realized I dressed up in the the silk pajamas it's fit like a second skinsoft, luxurious, and clearly expensive. I barely had time to take in the elegance of the room before he stepped in again,now dressed down in the matching black silk bottoms and a fitted tee that did absolutely nothing to hide how muscular he was.

Kai Ashford wasn’t just handsome he was devastating.

He looked at me for a beat too long before walking over. He didn't say a word and I stood smiling at him and then he gave me a soft kiss pressed to my forehead

I smiled more, for some reason it's feels refreshing before I could say anything he turned and went to his side and climb the bed

“Sleep well,” he said simply, then turned off the lightsand lied down,I follow him and lie down too

I stared up at the ceiling, my thoughts racing faster than I could catch them. Everything felt surreal ,the sudden room, the warmth, the way my heart refused to slow down questioning everything.

Before my mind could spiral further, I felt his arm slide around me,holding me

I shifted slightly, turning to face his chest. He didn’t move, eyes closed, breathing steady like this was something he’d done a thousand times before.

“Uhmm.. goodnight ?” I whispered, my voice barely audible, laced with nerves I couldn’t hide.

He didn’t respond. Just the quiet rhythm of his breathing, calm and even.

But he didn’t let go.

And somehow, that silence said more than words ever could.

And somehow, wrapped in the scent of his cologne and warmth, I knocked outcompletely exhausted from the dinner and… everything.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee.

I blinked groggily, sitting up and found a full breakfast spread already laid out on the balcony outside the room. Scrambled eggs, croissants, fresh juice… like a five-star hotel.

And him.

He was already there, shirtless, in his joggers looked already bathed reading something on his tablet like it was just another normal Saturday.

He didn’t even look up.

I stood and walk towards him and sat across from him, awkward. “Good morning…”

He lifted his gaze, expression unreadable. “You sleep well?”

“Yeah. Thanks for, um… the pajamas.”

He hummed, dismissive.

I sighed looking at the beautiful view from the balcony hoping he would strike a conversation but that's never happen,

He requested me to have the breakfast and I did,I was having breakfast,when he walked to the closet bring out a yellow dress from the closet,shoes,earrings,perfume and lay the down on the bed,I decided to stood up from the balcony to approach him,he smiled at my presence and he said

“Wear this.”more like a command

I blinked. “For what?”

“We’re staying in. I want you dressed.”he said

I had no clue what that meant, but I didn’t argue.I accept it and took a cool bath and dressed up to his preference

By afternoon, I was curled up on his lap in the massive living room. One of his arms was wrapped securely around my waist, while the other lazily scrolled through his phone.

He kept asking if I needed anything, always so calm, so casual like this was normal. Like we were normal.

But I didn’t say I need anything.

Well… I did.

I needed an explanation for what was going on for why I was here, in his space, in his arms, acting like this was something more than what it looked like.

But I didn’t ask.

And he didn’t offer.

I tried again to start a normal conversation. “So… what do you usually do when you're not working? Like, hobbies or—?”

He cut in, eyes still on the TV. “Game’s on.”

“Oh.” I nodded, a little awkwardly. “You’re into football?”

He glanced at me briefly, then smirked. “Only when I have someone to watch it with.”

Before I could respond, he shifted slightly and tugged me closer. “Come here. Just relax.”

I did.

I settled into him, my head resting gently on his chest. The steady rise and fall of his breathing, the faint scent of his cologne, the soft hum of the television in the background

it all wrapped around me like a blanket.

It felt… safe. Warm. Unexpectedly right.

He barely looked away from the screen, but his hand kept running along my thigh absentmindedly, or tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. Every now and then, he kissed my cheek or my temple, as if rewarding me for being quiet.

I wanted to ask so many things. He never ask me anything personal about myself,

Yesterday I was an Assistant and now am a girlfriend or what he wants me to be

But every time I opened my mouth, he’d glance at me with those cool eyes and gently hush me with, “Later.”

It was like he wasn’t giving me space to think, just holding me there warm, fed, dressed in expensive silk and making me forget who I was outside of this penthouse.

And maybe that was the point.

Maybe I didn’t need to dig so deep not today. It was our first real day together, and I didn’t want to ruin it by overthinking.

Maybe I just needed to breathe, be present, and enjoy the moment.

When he’s ready, he’ll talk.

Maybe I’m not rushing… maybe this is just how something real begins.

Kai hadn't said much since dinner. He worked on his phone while I sat on the other side of the couch, sipping the wine he poured for me. Every now and then, he’d glance up long enough to make my heart skip.

I shifted, pretending to scroll through my phone.“You’re restless,” he said without looking at me.I blinked. “No, I’m…just… still getting used to this.”

His eyes lifted. “You will.”

That was it.

He had a way of ending my conversation even before I start Just certainty in his voice that dared me to argue.

Minutes passed. I was about to retreat to the bedroom when he reached for me gently tugging me onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. My back pressed to his chest, and I felt the slow rise and fall of his breath.

“You always do that,” I whispered.

“Do what?”

“Take control. Like I’m just supposed to follow.”

His nose brushed against my neck. “Because you do.”

I swallowed hard, torn between feeling like a fool and wanting more of him.

He shifted slightly, his hand tracing lazy circles on my thigh. “Tomorrow, we’re flying to Milan.”

“What?” I twisted to look at him. “I have work”

" Who do you work for"he stop me there,I stay silent before he continues

“You’re with me, Lena. That’s what matters.”

My words caught in my throat. It was sudden great news but there was no preparation, no announcement. Is this how things always go for him?

I quietly slipped from his grip and turned to face him, still processing the word *Milan*.

I looked into his eyes, ready for the conversation we needed to have. His eyes held a smile, calm and reassuring.

Before I could find the words, he leaned closer, brushing a stray curl from my face. His hand lingered, warm against my cheek.

“You always look this innocent?” he murmured, his voice a low hum against my skin.

I froze half from surprise, half from the way his words seemed to curl down my spine like smoke. “I….I don’t know what you mean.”

He didn’t reply. Instead, he dipped his head and kissed me softly at first, then deeper and fuller, as if he’d been holding back for far too long.

His hands were gentle but confident, tracing down the silk of my top and resting at my waist.

“You don’t even realize,” he whispered, his lips barely touching mine, “how hard it is to hold back now that I’m with you.”

I couldn’t speak. My thoughts scattered as his mouth found my neck, the edge of my shoulder. I felt light, flushed, trembling but grounded by the weight of his touch.

He kissed me deeply, and I lost all sense of time as he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the bed like I weighed nothing at all. I didn’t resist. I didn’t even breathe.

He laid me down with a careful gentleness, as if I were fragile but the fire burning in his eyes told a different story. His gaze locked onto mine, dark and intense, like thunderclouds ready to burst.

"This is what I’ve been craving,the first time I saw you Lena”he murmured, his lips brushing mine with a slow resistance “You have no idea how long I’ve imagined this”