I sat in my room, waiting for Aeliana to arrive. Tonight was our last night together, and a strange mix of emotions churned within me. Part of me was relieved; this week had been a rollercoaster of tension, desire, and frustration. But another part of me, a part I didn't want to acknowledge, didn't want this to end. What the hell was wrong with me?
The door creaked open, and Aeliana stepped inside. She looked as composed as ever, though I could see the strain in her eyes. I let a flirty smile curl my lips. "Well, look who finally decided to join me. Thought you were going to leave me all alone on our last night."
She rolled her eyes, but I noticed the faintest blush on her cheeks. "Don't flatter yourself, Ciara. I just had to finish up some work."
"Oh, I'm not flattering myself. I'm just stating facts," I replied, standing up and sauntering over to her. "Maybe tonight we could do more than just sleep, hmm?"
Her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked it with a scowl. "In your dreams."
I chuckled, enjoying the way she tried to hide her flustered state. The tension between us was almost palpable, crackling in the air like a live wire.
"Let's just get dinner over with," she said, walking past me toward the dining room.
Dinner was set in a private dining room tonight, no servants, just the two of us. I'd insisted on it, wanting to savor this last night without interruptions. The table was elegantly set, with candles casting a warm glow over the silverware and crystal glasses. The aroma of roasted meat and seasoned vegetables filled the air, but it was Aeliana's scent that drove me mad.
We sat across from each other, and the silence was heavy with unspoken words. I watched her as she ate, her movements graceful, her expression guarded. God, she was beautiful. And infuriating.
"So, Aeliana," I began, my tone light but my gaze intense, "what are you going to do once you're back at Leora's castle? Miss me?"
She snorted softly. "I'll be too busy with work to think about you."
I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto hers. "Liar. You'll think about me every time you lie down in bed, remembering how close we were."
She glanced away, a hint of discomfort in her expression. "You're insufferable, you know that?"
"And yet, you've put up with me for a whole week. Must mean something," I replied, smirking.
Dinner continued with a strange, heated silence. The food was delicious, but I barely tasted it. My mind was on Aeliana, on the way her lips moved as she spoke, the way her eyes flickered with annoyance and something else. Something I wanted to explore.
After dinner, we headed back to our room. Aeliana went to shower first, and I found myself oddly nervous. What the hell was happening to me? I wasn't supposed to care this much.
When she emerged from the bathroom, steam trailing after her, she looked like a goddess. Her damp hair framed her face, and her scent—oh, her scent—drove me wild. I could barely breathe as I watched her move, my thoughts turning darker and more desperate.
"Your turn," she said, her voice tight.
I nodded, practically fleeing to the bathroom. The cold water was a shock to my system, but it helped clear my head. I couldn't let her get to me. Not like this.
When I returned, dressed in a simple shirt and shorts, Aeliana was already lying on the couch. The sight of her there, looking so vulnerable, stirred something in me.
"Come sleep with me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's our last night together."
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine here."
"Aeliana, come on. It's just one night. We don't have to do anything. Just... sleep beside me."
She hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But don't try anything."
I smirked. "No promises."
We climbed into bed, keeping a respectful distance between us. The silence was thick with tension, and my mind raced with thoughts of what I wanted to do. But I kept still, trying to respect her boundaries.
Minutes passed, and her breathing grew steady. She must have fallen asleep. I turned my head slightly, watching her. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful. My heart pounded in my chest, and I cursed silently. How did she have this effect on me?
Suddenly, she moved, turning toward me in her sleep and draping an arm over me. Her touch was warm, her body close enough to feel the heat radiating off her. My breath caught in my throat, and I froze.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
I lay there, barely daring to breathe, as she snuggled closer. Her scent, her warmth, everything about her was intoxicating. My thoughts turned dark again, filled with desires I tried to suppress. But I couldn't deny the way my body reacted to her.
She looked so peaceful, so vulnerable. And yet, her presence set my mind on fire.
In the dim light of the room, I allowed myself to look at her, to truly see her. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she dreamed, and her lips were slightly parted. I could feel her heartbeat against my side, a steady rhythm that seemed to sync with my own.
Why did she affect me this way? It was maddening. I wanted her, more than I'd wanted anyone in a long time. But it was more than just desire. There was something about her, something that drew me in and refused to let go.
"Fuck," I whispered to myself, feeling the weight of her arm on me. "What am I going to do with you, Aeliana?"
She didn't answer, of course. She was lost in her dreams, oblivious to the turmoil she caused in me. I lay there, feeling her warmth, listening to her soft breaths, and wondering how the hell I was going to survive this night without losing my mind.
As I watched her sleep, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Lust, certainly. But also something deeper, something I wasn't ready to face. A part of me wanted to wake her, to kiss her, to see if she felt the same way. But another part of me was terrified of what that might mean.
No, I couldn't let this go further. Not tonight.
I closed my eyes, willing myself to sleep. But her presence was too distracting, her scent too alluring. I shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable position without waking her.
She murmured something in her sleep, her arm tightening around me for a moment before relaxing. My heart skipped a beat, and I cursed under my breath.
This was going to be a long, torturous night.
As the hours passed, I lay there, half-awake, my mind filled with thoughts of Aeliana. Her beauty, her strength, her maddening ability to get under my skin. She was a puzzle I couldn't solve, a challenge I couldn't resist.