Chapter 5

It was early morning, but neither of them had any plans of sleeping.

The air conditioner blew cold air inside Zara’s master bedroom, but under the thick white comforter, they were completely wrapped in each other’s warmth. They were hugging. Zara’s face was buried in Elian’s chest, while Elian’s arm was tightly wrapped around her bare shoulder.

Elian could hear Zara’s heavy and even breathing. With every rise and fall of her chest, his own heart beat along with it. He couldn’t believe it. Hours had passed since he surrendered himself to this woman, but the fire Zara ignited in him seemed to have no intention of dying out.

Elian slowly raised his hand and stroked Zara’s messy hair. From her hair, his fingers traced down to her smooth cheek, before gently following the line of her neck down to her back.

He felt Zara groan slightly. She moved, pressing herself closer to Elian’s body, before slowly opening her soft eyes.

“Aren't you tired yet, Good Boy?” Zara whispered in a husky and sweet voice. Her tone was full of teasing, but it was mixed with a strange softness that Elian had only seen just now.

Elian smiled. It was a smile that was no longer innocent, but the smile of a man who already knew how to claim the woman he loves.

“When I am with you… I feel like I don't get tired,” Elian answered, his voice low, almost becoming a warm whisper in Zara’s ear.

Zara grinned. She lifted herself up slightly, just enough for their faces to level. She stared into Elian’s eyes, looking for the shyness and nervousness she usually saw there. But it was gone. What she saw now was a man looking completely at her with desire and love.

“Look at you,” Zara whispered, stroking Elian’s lip with her thumb. “Who would have thought that the quiet guy at the bar could keep up with my craziness?”

Elian didn’t answer. Instead, he held the back of Zara’s neck and slowly pulled her face closer to him. He met her lips with a deep and burning kiss. It was no longer like their previous kisses where Zara was in control; this time, it was slow, commanding, and filled with raw emotion.

Zara closed her eyes, willingly opening her lips to meet Elian’s every move. Elian felt Zara’s nails dig slightly into his back, a quiet sign that she was surrendering to his every touch. The room was full of emotion. The kisses that started on her lips slowly went down to her jaw, to her neck, leaving warm marks on Zara’s skin that seemed to say she was only his.

Under the blankets, Elian’s hands traveled, making Zara feel that even though his heart was soft, he could be brave for her. The night burned again, full of gasps, warm whispers, and most of all, the complete collapse of the walls Zara had tried to build around herself for a long time.

~

The next day, the daylight woke Zara up.

She felt the other side of the bed. No one was there. The pillow was cold. Her forehead immediately creased, and a sudden nervousness hit her chest. Did he leave? Was he scared of what happened last night?

Zara got up, searching for her bathrobe that fell on the floor last night. She put it on and slowly went out of the room. But before she could even reach the stairs, a familiar smell stopped her. The smell of coffee and fried bacon.

She slowly went down to the kitchen. And there, she stopped.

Elian was standing in front of the stove. He was wearing gray sweatpants and no shirt, clearly showing some red marks Zara had left on his shoulder and back. He was cooking seriously, holding a spatula, while a soft song played from his phone on the counter.

Zara leaned against the doorframe. She watched him. All her life, she was used to waking up alone after a party. She was used to being the one left behind, or being the one who leaves. No man had ever dared to cook her breakfast after a hot night.

Elian seemed to feel her presence, so he turned around. His face immediately lit up when he saw her.

“Good morning,” Elian greeted, his voice sweet and fresh. He put down the spatula, wiped his hands, and walked closer to her.

“Good morning,” Zara answered, forcing herself to hide the strange emotion enveloping her heart.

Elian didn’t hesitate anymore. He hugged Zara by the waist and kissed her quickly on the forehead, before pressing his lips to hers. It was a sweet and innocent kiss, far from the wild Elian last night, but equally weakening for Zara.

“I cooked,” Elian said while fixing Zara’s messy hair. “I didn't know your favorites, so I just made basic bacon, eggs, and fried rice. I hope you eat this.”

Zara cleared her throat, forcing a smirk to bring back her tough attitude. “Wife duties already, Good Boy? I might get used to that.”

Elian laughed softly. “Husband duties, Zara. And it's okay if you get used to it. Because I plan to do this every day for you.”

Zara stopped. The teasing smile disappeared from her lips. She stared at Elian, checking if he was joking. But his eyes were serious. No jokes, no hesitation.

Zara stepped away a little, crossing her arms. “Elian, listen. Last night… it was great. Wild and perfect. But you know the world I live in. I'm not the stay-at-home type of girl. I'm not the type you'd bring to your family every Sunday lunch. Are you sure you want to continue this?”

A cold silence wrapped around the kitchen. This was what Zara feared. Pushing people away before they could distance themselves from her.

But instead of backing out, Elian stepped closer. He took both of Zara’s hands and gently kissed them.

“Zara, I've already seen your wild side. I've felt how brave you are. But I also saw the Zara who takes care of her friends at the bar, the Zara who defended me from the people at the restaurant yesterday, and the Zara who hugged me tightly last night while we were sleeping,” Elian said seriously.

He looked straight into Zara’s eyes. “I am not afraid of your world. And I don't care what others will say. You claimed me last night, right? Now… commit to me.”

Zara couldn’t stop a tear from falling from her eye. She quickly wiped it away, annoyed at herself for suddenly getting emotional. She laughed, a laugh that was obviously trying to cover up her intense thrill and happiness.

“You really have a lot of nerve ordering me around, huh?” Zara answered smiling as she hugged Elian’s neck tightly. She whispered in his ear, “Alright. Get ready. Because from now on, I won't let you go, Good Boy.”

Elian smiled while hugging the woman who changed his life. Finally, the two different worlds became one. And Elian knew, this was just the beginning of their many more wild and sweet chapters.