Chapter 16

Ethan’s POV

Two days passed quietly.

The first day was still hard. I didn’t want to leave the apartment, and Adrian didn’t try to make me. He stayed with me the whole time. We watched random movies, barely talked, and he kept asking if I needed anything every few minutes.

But by the second day, things started to feel normal again.

Not completely normal… just better.

That morning, I woke up before him. The room was calm, sunlight coming through the curtains softly. Adrian was still asleep beside me, one arm stretched across the bed like he had been trying to hold onto me even in his sleep.

I watched him for a moment and smiled without.

He looked peaceful, no tension in his face, just calm.

I slowly moved closer and rested my head on his shoulder.

He woke up almost immediately.

“Ethan?” he said quietly, still half asleep.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said with a small smile.

That made him smile too, and the tension in his eyes disappeared instantly.

“Good,” he murmured, pulling me closer again. “Because I was about to check if you were still here.”

Later that morning, I felt playful again.

Adrian was in the kitchen making breakfast like he had done the last two days. He wouldn’t let me help, every time I tried, he just shook his head and told me to sit down.

“You’re still recovering,” he said seriously.

“I was kidnapped, not broken,” I replied, leaning against the kitchen counter.

He looked at me immediately. “Don’t joke about that.”

I raised both hands in surrender, smiling a little. “Okay, okay. I won’t.”

But I could see something in his expression. He wasn’t angry, he was just scared of anything happening to me again.

When he turned his back to grab the plates, I stepped closer quietly and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He froze for a second, then relaxed immediately.

“You’re supposed to be resting,” he said softly.

“I am resting,” I replied, resting my chin on his shoulder. “Right here.”

He laughed quietly for the first time in days, that sound alone made me feel lighter.

We ate breakfast on the couch instead of the table. He kept watching me like he was checking every few seconds if I was okay.

“I’m fine,” I said after a while.

“I know,” he replied. “I just want to make sure.”

I didn’t argue with that. Instead, I leaned closer and rested my head on his shoulder again.

He wrapped his arm around me without hesitation.

That afternoon, I picked up my camera again.

It felt strange at first. My hands were still a little stiff, and the red marks on my wrists hadn’t completely faded yet, but when I looked through the lens, I felt calm again.

Adrian stood across the room watching me.

“Don’t move,” I said suddenly.

He raised an eyebrow. “What did I do?”

“Just stay like that,” I replied, adjusting the camera slightly.

He stood there, confused but smiling.

I took the photo.

When I lowered the camera, he was still looking at me in that same soft way.

“What was that for?” he asked.

I smiled a little. “Because I almost lost this.”

His expression changed immediately.

He walked toward me slowly and pulled me into a gentle hug.

“You didn’t lose me,” he said softly. “And you’re not going to.”

I nodded, holding onto him tightly.

And everything felt calm again, not perfect, just safe and for now, that was enough.

As the day wore on, I found myself growing increasingly restless. The gentle touches and loving glances from Adrian were wonderful, but I craved something more. Something that would remind me that I was alive, that I was here with him, and that we were okay.

I looked up at him as he sat beside me on the couch, his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders.

“Adrian,” I murmured softly, “can we... can we go to bed early tonight?”

He turned to me with a concerned expression, searching my face for any signs of distress.

“Of course,” he replied gently, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Whatever you need.”

As we climbed into bed together, Adrian pulled me close and held me tightly against his chest. I could feel his heart beating steadily beneath my ear, and it soothed me in a way nothing else could.

I snuggled closer to Adrian, inhaling his familiar scent and feeling the warmth of his body seeping into mine. After a moment, I tilted my head up to look at him, my eyes searching his in the dim light of the bedroom.

“Adrian,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, “I need you.”

His eyes softened immediately, and he cupped my face gently in his hand.

“I’m right here,” he murmured back, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”

I shook my head slightly, my gaze drifting down to his lips.

“No,” I clarified softly. “I need you. Like that.”

Adrian’s breath hitched in his throat as he understood what I was asking for. He hesitated for a moment, searching my face carefully.

“Are you sure?” he asked quietly. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

I nodded, my eyes never leaving his.

“I’m sure,” I whispered, leaning up to press my lips against his in a gentle kiss.

Adrian responded immediately, his arms wrapping around me and pulling me flush against his body. The kiss deepened slowly, becoming more passionate as our tongues danced together. Adrian’s hands roamed over my back and sides, touching me gently and reverently.

He broke the kiss to trail his lips down my neck, pressing soft kisses and gentle bites against my skin. I arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips.

“Adrian,” I breathed out, my fingers tangling in his hair. “Please...”

He looked up at me with hooded eyes, his gaze filled with love and desire.

“Tell me what you need,” he murmured against my skin. “I’ll give you anything.”

I pulled him back up for another kiss, pouring all of my emotions into it. Adrian kissed me back fiercely, his hands gripping my hips and pulling me even closer. I could feel his arousal pressing against me, and it sent a shiver of desire down my spine.

I broke the kiss to trail my lips along his jaw and down his neck, nipping and sucking gently.

“Ethan,” he groaned softly, tilting his head to give me better access. “You’re driving me crazy...”

I smiled against his skin, my hands slipping under his shirt to caress the muscles of his chest.

“Good,” I murmured. “Because you drive me crazy all day.”

Adrian chuckled low in his throat, the vibrations sending tingles through my body. He sat up suddenly, pulling his shirt off in one swift motion and tossing it aside. I took a moment to admire his bare chest before leaning in to press kisses across his collarbone.

Adrian POV

I pulled Ethan onto my lap, his legs straddling my hips as I laid back against the pillows. Our lips met in a searing kiss, tongues tangling and breaths mingling. My hands roamed over his back and sides, feeling every inch of his warm skin.

Ethan began to grind against me slowly, his hips rolling in a sensual rhythm. I groaned into his mouth, my own hips lifting to meet his movements. My fingers hooked into the waistband of his sweatpants, tugging gently.

“Can I?” I murmured against his lips.

He nodded eagerly, lifting his hips to help me push the fabric down. I tossed the pants aside and ran my hands up his thighs, caressing the smooth skin.

Ethan shuddered at my touch, leaning down to capture my mouth in another heated kiss. My hands slid around to grip his ass, squeezing gently as I pulled him closer.

I guided Ethan’s hips, helping him grind against me in a slow, sensual rhythm. Our kisses grew more passionate, more urgent, as the heat between us intensified. I could feel his hardness pressing against mine through the thin fabric of his briefs, and it sent sparks of pleasure shooting through my veins.

Ethan broke the kiss to trail his lips down my neck and chest, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses against my skin. He nipped at my collarbone and sucked gently on my nipples, driving me wild with desire.

“Ethan,” I groaned, my fingers tangling in his hair. “Fuck... that feels so good...”

He looked up at me through his lashes, his eyes dark with lust.

“I want to taste you,” he murmured softly. “Can I?”

I nodded urgently, lifting my hips to help him push my briefs down. My erection sprang free, hard and throbbing. Ethan wrapped his hand around my shaft, stroking me slowly as he licked his lips.

He looked up at me one last time, seeking permission, and I nodded desperately.

“Please,” I begged softly.

He smiled and leaned down, his tongue darting out to lick a stripe up the underside of my cock. I gasped at the sensation, my hips jerking involuntarily. Ethan chuckled low in his throat and wrapped his lips around the head, sucking gently.

“Fuck... Ethan...” I groaned, my fingers tightening in his hair as he took me deeper into his mouth.

He bobbed his head slowly, his tongue swirling around my sensitive flesh. The wet heat of his mouth was exquisite, and I found myself thrusting gently into the warmth.

After a few moments, Ethan pulled back with a pop.

“I want you inside me,” he murmured huskily. “I need to feel you.”

Ethan’s POV

I lay back on the bed, pulling Adrian on top of me. Our lips met in a passionate kiss as I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer. I could feel his hardness pressing against me, and it sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

“Adrian,” I breathed against his lips. “I need you. Please...”

He nodded, reaching over to the nightstand to grab the lube. He coated his fingers and brought them to my entrance, circling gently. I arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips as he slipped one finger inside.

“Still okay?” he murmured, looking at me with concern.

I nodded eagerly.

“More than okay,” I replied, my voice husky with desire. “Give me another.”

Adrian obliged, adding a second finger and scissoring them gently. I gasped as Adrian’s fingers curled inside me, hitting that sweet spot that made my toes curl. He continued to stretch me gently, his touch tender and caring.

After a few moments, he withdrew his fingers and lined himself up with my entrance.

“Are you ready?” he asked softly, his eyes searching mine. “I’ll go slow.”

I nodded, lifting my hips to encourage him.

“I’m ready,” I whispered. “Make love to me, Adrian.”

He leaned down to kiss me deeply as he pushed forward, entering me slowly. I moaned into his mouth as he filled me inch by inch, the slight burn quickly giving way to pleasure. Once he was fully seated inside me, he paused to let me adjust.

“Ethan,” he breathed against my lips. “You feel incredible...”

I wrapped my arms around Adrian’s neck, pulling him down for another kiss.

“Move,” I murmured against his lips. “Please...”

He began to thrust slowly, his hips rolling in a gentle rhythm. Each movement sent sparks of pleasure through my body, and I found myself meeting him halfway, our bodies moving in perfect sync. Adrian kissed me deeply, his tongue dancing with mine as he made love to me. His touch was tender and reverent, like he was worshipping every inch of me. I could feel the love radiating off him in waves, and it made my heart swell with emotion.

“I love you,” I whispered between kisses. “So much...”

“I love you too,” he replied softly, his voice thick with emotion. “Forever...”

Our movements grew more urgent as we climbed higher and higher towards release. Adrian reached between us to wrap his hand around my erection, stroking me in time with his thrusts. I cried out as Adrian’s hand moved faster, his thumb swiping over the sensitive head of my cock. My hips jerked uncontrollably, meeting his thrusts with increasing urgency.

“Adrian... I’m close,” I panted, my nails digging into his back.

“Come for me,” he urged softly, his voice husky with desire. “Let go, Ethan. I’ve got you.”

His words pushed me over the edge, and I came with a loud cry of his name. My release pulsed between us as Adrian continued to thrust through it, drawing out my pleasure.

A few moments later, he followed me into the heat with a shuddering groan. He collapsed on top of me, our chests heaving as we caught our breath. Adrian pressed gentle kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, my lips.

“That was... incredible,” he murmured against my skin. “You’re amazing.”

I smiled softly, wrapping my arms around Adrian and holding him close.

“You’re the amazing one,” I replied, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “The way you love me... it’s everything.”

Adrian lifted his head to look at me, his eyes filled with warmth and affection.

“I’ll always love you like this,” he promised softly. “With every fibre of my being.”

He rolled us onto our sides, pulling me into his embrace and tucking my head under his chin. We lay there in comfortable silence for a long while, our bodies intertwined and our hearts beating in sync.

Eventually, Adrian pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head and murmured,

“Rest now. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

I nodded sleepily, feeling safe and loved in his arms.