LOGIN“Can you help me with my necklace?” Sophia stood in front of the mirror, and her gaze darted to Alex, who just stepped into the room, fixing his cufflinks. “Sure,” he said, walking over to her. She handed the jewelry to him and turned around to face the mirror, keeping her gaze on him as she swept her hair up. As soon as he was done with the necklace, Alex took a step back, his eyes trailing over her to admire the cream-colored dress she wore. “Do you think this dress is okay?” She asked him softly, “I don’t want to wear something too shouty, and I feel like the color of the dress is a bit bright. Should I wear something darker?” She heaved a breath. “This is the third time I’m changing my dress. I don’t know what to wear at all. Or maybe—” She turned around, heading towards her closet, but before she could take two steps away from him, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back to stand in front of the mirror. “You’re on edge,” he murmured, drawing her closer as he le
“Come with me tonight,” he mumbled against her lips. “Please.” She nodded slowly, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. “Okay.” “Okay?” Alex looked surprised that she agreed. He simply wanted to ask her again, and if she had said no, he wouldn't have forced her to come with him. He just wouldn't go either. “Yes.” She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. “I'll come with you. And the kids too.” The smile that spread across his face was worth every bit of anxiety churning in her stomach. He kissed her again. “Thank you,” he murmured. Sophia's fingers brushed something on his wrist, and her brows pulled into a tight frown. She glanced down to see what it was, and her eyes widened subtly. She checked her own wrist, pushing her scrunchie away, and to her utmost surprise, her hair tie wasn't there. Because it was now on Alex’s wrist. “My God, that's my hair tie. When did you even take it out?” Alex chuckled at her reaction. “It’s mine now.” She didn't g
“I can't breathe.” “Liar.” “I mean it; it’s like a heavy rock is pressing my whole body down.” “You’ll survive.” “Alex!” “It’s still early, love. Go back to sleep.” “I literally can't sleep with your whole weight on top of me.” “It’s just my upper body.” Realizing how stubborn he intended to be, Sophia brushed her fingers over his sides, hoping to at least tickle him off, but he didn't move; he didn't even budge. He simply chuckled, his breath hot against the crook of her neck. They were both covered in the duvet, and it should have been warm, but Sophia was hot. She had woken up feeling the weight of someone on her. And for a long time, she thought he was deep asleep. She didn't want to wake him up, so she stayed like that for a while, brushing her fingers on the small hairs on his nape. That was until he let out a sigh of satisfaction and leaned into her more. She tried to inhale deeply out of spite and failed. His fingers brushed her sides, finding their way into the
The bathroom filled with steam as Alex turned on the shower. Water poured down, and he checked the temperature, setting it to warm. He turned back to Sophia, his eyes dark with hunger as she tried to cover up from the heat of his stare. “Come here,” he said. She stepped forward, and his hands went to her waist, pulling her closer before his fingers hooked into her waistband, drawing a sharp breath from her. He slowly pulled her pants down, taking her underwear with them. Sophia gasped, stepping out of them. Her skin flushed hot despite the cool air. She was completely naked now, and the way he stared at her made her knees weak. Her fingers trembled as she pulled at his shirt. Alex helped her, tugging it over his head and tossing it aside. Her hands immediately went to his chest, nails dragging down his skin and lingering on the scar from his surgery. She brushed her fingers on it and leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss to the scar. He made a rough sound of satisfaction
Sophia’s eyes dropped the slightest; she looked like she’d rather be doing anything else than having this conversation. In that moment, the worst truth sank in, and Alex slowly realized that he could plead, or even beg, but nothing would reach her if she refused to meet him halfway. That thought left him empty, almost ghostlike; he felt like a man pleading for the love he wasn't sure he had the right to claim. “Please, can you just spare me five minutes? Let's talk. I can’t—” A rough breath escaped his lips, and Sophia saw right through the tension in his shoulders. He continued, “I really can't bear this silence between us. And it feels like I'm being slammed right across my chest every time you look away from me or hold back the conversation we need to have. I really can't bear it.” There was a tired pull to his mouth, a crease between his brows that hadn’t left since they got home, and something defeated in his eyes. He looked like someone holding himself together out of shee
They arrived home late; the sun was dipping into the horizon already, and both kids were fast asleep. Sophia stepped out as soon as Alex pulled the car to a stop. She reached for the back door and was just about to wake them up when Alex spoke out, “I can carry them instead.” He stepped out of the car, pulling the other door open, and reached for Aiden first, lifting him in one arm. It was difficult to lean further and reach for Addie, so Sophia carried her. She intended on carrying Addie herself, but Alex walked round the car and leaned closer to her, leaving an arm open for Addie. “Are you sure you can lift both of them?” Alex wanted to chuckle at the look of worry on her face, which he wasn't sure whether it was worry for him or fear that the kids might fall off his hand. He glanced down at her. Holding her gaze. Sophia’s gaze didn't falter either, and that was the first time she was clearly looking at him since they left the park. The words they both wanted to say bu







