♛ Aurora: I woke up to heat. Like I was being thrown into a burning furnace. I tried to wriggle my body, but it was nearly impossible, it felt like someone was pressing down on me with the weight of their own body. My brows pulled together, and I blinked, fluttering my eyes open. For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, staring at nothing in particular, but I was beyond confused by the strange pattern on the ceiling, and the masculine cologne scent that was heavy on the room, making me feel almost lightweight. I tried to turn around again, but the weight on me didn't even budge, not even a little to allow me move freely. My brows creased tightly and I looked around, that was the moment I realized I was in fact not in my place, but in… In Adrian’s place. And the weight on me? I glanced down slowly. His arm was slung across my waist, heavy and warm, his fingers curled loosely against my stomach. I could feel him behind me. His chest was against my back, his breath brush
♛ Aurora: I couldn’t understand how someone who had hurt me so deeply could also make me feel so safe. Like home wasn't a place; it was this man. I sat up slightly on the bed, pushing a pillow behind me. “You didn’t think it was strange? Keeping everything around like this?” His gaze didn’t shift. “No.” “No?” I raised a brow. “I thought it’d be strange to erase you.” His voice was calm, and he brushed his fingertips on my jaw, leaning closer to me on the bed, and settling his weight on an elbow. I swallowed. “So, you just walked around the house every day pretending I still lived here?” His lips curved slightly, a sad smile tugging at the corner. “Some days, yeah.” I didn’t know what to say to that. I noticed the way his brows curved up into a frown, like he had an unpleasant memory, but then he brushed it off just as it came. I brushed my fingertips under his chin, feeling more alive in the moment; Adrian closed his eyes at the touch. “What about the espresso
♛ Aurora: When Adrian said he was taking me home, I simply assumed he was taking me back to my apartment. And though I wanted to complain and tell him I wasn't ready to leave him yet, I swallowed back my words and simply sighed as he dropped me carefully in the passenger seat and shut the door close, rounding the car and opening the door to the driver’s seat. My gaze remained on the streetlights as we drove past the highway, and for a moment I didn't say anything, but that was subtik I noticed he took a path down the right on the highway. My brows furrowed together and I stayed silent, wondering whether he wanted to get something. I soon realized he wasn't going to get anything, when he drove past a street, heading to an estate I was once very familiar with. I turned my head to him, “You said you're taking me home.” He didn't bother sparing me a glance as he simply chuckled and answered, “Yeah.” I was certain he knew what I meant, but chose to remain oblivious. By the time he
♛ Aurora: Short gasps escaped my lips as my eyes finally fluttered open slowly. I could feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest, still trying to catch up with everything that had just happened. My thighs trembled, and the heat between them was still there. Adrian’s fingers were no longer touching me, but their absence was louder than the way they’d moved before. I blinked, barely able to keep my gaze steady as I looked up at him. He was staring at me like I was something precious. And something easily breakable that he was scared of gripping tightly. He slowly pulled his hand away, carefully after leaving a peck on my belly button that sent a shiver through me. I looked down and froze. He was hard, full-on. Clearly circumcised and completely ready. Then, with a harsh breath, he reached down and adjusted his boxers, tucking himself back in, and cursing under his breath as he did. His jaw clenched and his eyes fluttered shut for a second like he was fighting something insi
♞ Adrian: All my life, I had never felt panic rise up my throat as much as I did when I stepped into Rory’s office and saw her inches away from breaking apart. The last person I had seen fall into a panic attack was my grandfather, and that was a month before he passed away. That kind of feeling that came with simply watching and being helpless left a scar. And seeing it again on her ripped through me, turning me frozen for two seconds before I could move to her. Rory wasn’t just trembling, she was breaking apart. Her hands wouldn’t stay still, her chest rose and fell too fast, and her eyes… Christ, her eyes. They looked like she was drowning and no one was going to save her. Until I got to her. I dropped the bags before I even registered they were in my hands. Every part of me was moving on instinct. I barely remember crossing the room, but I remember the way her body felt when she collapsed into mine. It felt like she had been holding herself up with all she cou
♛ Aurora: The silence between us after I finished eating felt comfortable, and not awkward. I leaned back against Adrian, still sitting on his lap, my head resting on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me, fingers gently tracing patterns along my sides. “Better?” he asked quietly. His voice was soft, and low like it was meant for me alone. I nodded, feeling a small smile creep up on my lips. “Yeah. I think so.” “Are you ready to go home?” He asked after a moment of silence. “No.” I answered almost immediately, because I wasn't ready yet. I wanted to stay in his arms a little longer, and I wasn't ready to leave him yet. He nodded slowly, and we stayed like that for a while. His hot breath against my skin somehow started a warm itch on my core. I pressed my lips together, burning my face on the crook of his neck and breathing slowly. Despite how tired I felt, I wasn't feeling sleepy yet. And at that moment I didn't exactly know what I wanted anymore. Except that I