Chapter 10

The room was quiet, the kind of stillness that only came deep into the night. The curtains swayed lightly as moonlight filtered through them, washing everything in soft silver. Liana had drifted into sleep without realizing it, curled up under the soft sheets of their shared bed.

But something stirred.

Warmth. A heavy warmth pressing into her side.

Her lashes fluttered, her heart giving a quiet thump when she felt it—a strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist, a leg slung possessively over hers. Nash.

He was holding her.

Her breath caught.

She blinked again, just to be sure. And yes—there he was, so close. His face was barely inches away from hers, lips slightly parted in sleep, hair tousled messily against the pillow. There was a certain softness in his face that made her chest clench. A raw innocence. Like he wasn’t the cold, unreadable man she’d lived with for years.

More like the boy she once knew—the one she used to stare at in the hallways during school, heart beating wildly in her chest, hoping he’d look her way.

And now, here he was.

Wrapped around her like he couldn’t bear to let go.

Her fingers trembled as she lifted her hand, gently brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. He didn’t stir. She smiled softly, the corners of her lips twitching as her heart swelled.

He’s hugging me. Like I’m…something precious.

The thought alone made her stomach flip. She moved closer, just a little, and slowly, carefully—pressed her lips against his forehead.

But the second her lips touched his skin, his eyes opened.

Liana froze, heart lurching to her throat. She barely had time to panic before Nash’s hand moved to the back of her head and pulled her closer, his lips capturing hers in a sudden, quiet kiss.

Her mind blanked out completely.

She didn’t move at first. Her lips stayed frozen against his, wide eyes staring at him in disbelief. But when he kissed her again—this time slower, deeper—her hands instinctively gripped his shirt and her eyes fluttered closed.

It was the softest kind of chaos.

Warm, steady, electric. A slow crash of waves in her chest.

Her lips moved against his on their own, shy and hesitant at first, then a little more sure when his hand cupped her cheek and guided her into him. She gasped when his tongue brushed her bottom lip, unsure what to do, but then her mouth opened for him, and she stopped thinking.

This is real. He’s kissing me. Nash is actually kissing me.

He tasted like something she couldn’t name. Dark and sweet. Like forbidden dreams and quiet fire.

Her fingers curled tighter into his shirt.

Nash groaned softly into her mouth, and that one sound—rough, low—sent a shiver through her body. His hands were no longer still. One of them trailed slowly down her back, the other gripping her hip, pulling her flush against his chest.

Her thoughts were a mess.

His body was warm, too warm, and her skin tingled wherever his fingers touched. She felt like she was burning from the inside.

He broke the kiss, just barely, his breath heavy as he rested his forehead against hers.

“Liana,” he murmured, voice husky. “I’ve been trying to stay away… but it’s getting harder every day.”

Her breath hitched.

She wanted to ask why. Why had he been keeping his distance all these years if this was how he felt?

But all that came out was a whisper. “Then… don’t stay away anymore.”

Something dark flickered in his eyes. He leaned in again, his mouth brushing against her cheek, then her jaw, before his lips traced a slow path down the side of her neck. She gasped, her fingers clenching around his arms.

“N-Nash—”

“I’m tired of pretending,” he said against her skin. “You’re mine, Liana. You’ve always been mine.”

She had no answer.

Her body answered for her.

Every part of her was reacting to his touch. Her skin felt too tight, too sensitive. The way he touched her was possessive, hungry—but not rough. He was careful. Watching her face. As if asking with every move if this was okay.

She nodded, unable to speak.

He kissed her again, this time slower, deeper. Their lips moved together like they were made for it, like they’d been waiting years for this one moment.

His hands slid under her shirt.

She gasped against his mouth, her body tensing, but she didn’t stop him.

Her heart was racing. Loud. Like a drumbeat in her ears.

When his hand brushed her waist and moved upward, she closed her eyes, focusing on the feel of him. The warmth of his skin. The quiet sound of his breathing. The way her body reacted to every single touch like it had been waiting forever.

“Nash…” she whispered, cheeks red.

His voice was soft but deep. “You’re so beautiful.”

Liana’s heart nearly stopped.

No one had ever called her that before.

He pressed her down against the bed, hovering over her. His body shielding hers from the world.

She looked up at him in the dim moonlight.

“I never thought… you wanted me,” she said in a soft voice. “You always looked so distant.”

His hand came up to brush her cheek. “I was scared I’d hurt you.”

“You’re not hurting me now,” she whispered. “You’re making me feel like I matter.”

He stilled.

For a moment, Nash just looked at her. Really looked.

Then he kissed her again, deeper this time, with more need. His hands roamed her sides slowly, savoring every inch of her.

Their bodies moved together like they were meant to.

The rest of the night passed in slow-burning heat. Quiet moans. Whispered names. Silent confessions in the dark.

By the time the sun began to rise, Liana was curled up against Nash’s chest, completely spent. Her body ached in the best way, and her heart felt like it might burst.

His hand was in her hair. She listened to the slow, steady beat of his heart.

She smiled.

For once, everything felt… right.

She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. But tonight—this one night—she would remember forever.

She tilted her head up and whispered softly, “Thank you, Nash… for finally choosing me.”