As Chris's lips finally met hers, Lily felt as if her world exploded into color. The kiss was soft at first, gentle and exploring. It was everything Lily had ever dreamed a kiss could be, and so much more.
Her hands moved of their own accord, sliding up Chris's chest to wrap around his neck. She felt his arm encircle her waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.
In that moment, all of Lily's doubts and insecurities melted away. She wasn't thinking about her past, or what she looked like, or whether she deserved this happiness. All she knew was the feeling of Chris's lips on hers, the safety of his arms around her, and the overwhelming sense that this was exactly where she was meant to be.
When they finally parted, both breathless, Lily opened her eyes to find Chris looking at her with such tenderness it made her heart ache.
"I love you," she whispered, the words slipping out before she could overthink them. And as she said it, she knew it was true. Despite all her fears and doubts, despite the complicated path that had led them here, Lily loved Chris Eaton.
Chris's face lit up with a smile that outshone the sun. He pulled her close, pressing his forehead against hers. "I love you too, Lily," he murmured. "More than you could ever know."
As they held each other in the quiet darkness, Lily felt a sense of peace settle over her. For the first time in her life, she felt truly accepted, truly loved.
Chris took a deep breath, his forehead still pressed against Lily's. "Lily..." he murmured, his voice deep and husky.
Lily's heart fluttered at the sound. His voice was filled with such love and desire, it made her feel cherished and wanted in a way she'd never experienced before. She savored the moment, drinking in the warmth of his closeness.
But then Chris pulled back slightly, his blue eyes intense as they met hers. "You should leave now," he said softly.
Lily blinked, feeling dazed and confused. The sudden shift left her reeling. "What?" she asked, her voice small and uncertain.
Chris's jaw clenched, as if he were fighting some internal battle. "If you stay here any longer," he explained, his voice strained, "I can't promise myself that I'll behave well."
Lily's brow furrowed in innocent confusion. "You won't behave well?" she echoed, genuinely perplexed. "But why? Didn't you like our moment together?"
Chris closed his eyes, taking another deep breath. When he opened them again, Lily could see the struggle written plainly on his face. "Oh, Lily," he said, his voice a mix of tenderness and frustration. "I liked it too much. That's the problem."
Lily felt a blush creep up her cheeks as understanding slowly dawned. "Oh," she whispered, her eyes widening.
Chris cupped her face gently, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. "You're so innocent, so pure," he said softly. "I don't want to rush you into anything you're not ready for. I respect you too much for that."
Lily's heart swelled with emotion. No one had ever treated her with such care and consideration before. She felt tears prick her eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of Chris's feelings for her.
"I... I don't know what to say," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.
Chris smiled tenderly. "You don't have to say anything," he assured her. "Just know that I love you, all of you. And I'm willing to wait as long as it takes until you're ready."
Lily nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and a strange new longing she didn't quite understand. As she stood to leave, Chris caught her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles.
"Sweet dreams, Lily," he murmured.
As Lily made her way back to her room, her mind was spinning. She felt cherished, protected, and for the first time in her life, truly desired. Chris's self-control, his willingness to put her needs first, only made her love him more.
She crawled into bed, her lips still tingling from their kiss. As she drifted off to sleep, Lily knew that whatever the future held, she was no longer alone. She had found someone who loved her for who she was, inside and out.
…
The next morning, Lily woke early, her heart light with the memories of the previous night. She took a quick shower and slipped on a pretty floral dress, eager to see Chris again. But when she knocked on his door, there was no answer. A note taped to the door caught her eye: "Gone to the gym. Back by 7:30 AM."
Lily glanced at her watch – it was only 7:00. Before she could talk herself out of it, she headed down to the hotel's luxury gym, her stomach fluttering with anticipation.
As she entered the gym, her eyes immediately found Chris. He was at the chest press machine, his muscles flexing with each controlled movement. Lily felt her breath catch in her throat. Chris was shirtless, his toned abdomen on full display. Sweat glistened on his ripped abs, highlighting every defined muscle.
Lily stood frozen, mesmerized by the sight. She'd known Chris was attractive, of course, but seeing him like this – powerful, focused, almost primal – stirred something deep within her.
Chris looked up, catching her gaze. A slow smile spread across his face as he stood and approached her, grabbing a towel to wipe his face.
"Wanna join?" he asked, his voice slightly breathless from the workout.
Lily felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "But... I've never worked out before," she admitted, suddenly feeling self-conscious in her floral dress.
Chris's smile widened. "No problem," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I'll teach you."
Lily's heart raced at the thought. Could she survive a workout with Chris? The idea of him guiding her, maybe even touching her to correct her form, sent a thrill through her body.
"I... I don't have any workout clothes," she stammered, searching for an excuse even as part of her longed to say yes.
Chris chuckled. "We can fix that," he said, nodding towards a small shop in the corner of the gym. "They sell workout gear. What do you say? Ready to try something new?"
Lily hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay," she said softly, surprising herself with her boldness.
As Chris led her towards the shop, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back, Lily felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. She was stepping into unknown territory, but with Chris by her side, she felt ready to embrace this new adventure – and whatever else might come her way.
Chris guided Lily through some basic warm-up exercises, demonstrating each move with fluid grace. Lily tried to focus on mimicking his movements, but found her attention constantly drawn to Chris himself. Her eyes kept wandering to his muscular arms, his broad shoulders, the way his workout shorts clung to his powerful thighs.
"Keep your core tight," Chris instructed, placing a hand on her lower back to correct her posture.
Lily's breath hitched at his touch, her skin tingling even through the fabric of her new workout top. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
As they moved on to some light jogging in place, Lily found herself stealing glances at Chris's face. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, and she had a sudden, wild urge to wipe it away. His strong jaw, the intensity in his blue eyes as he concentrated on the workout – it was all overwhelmingly attractive.
Lost in her admiration, Lily's foot caught on the edge of her yoga mat. She stumbled, her arms pinwheeling as she lost her balance. Just as she was sure she was going to hit the floor, strong arms encircled her waist, pulling her upright.
Lily found herself pressed against Chris's chest, her hands instinctively gripping his biceps. She looked up, meeting his concerned gaze.
"You okay?" Chris asked, his voice low and husky.
Lily nodded, acutely aware of how close they were, of the warmth of his skin against hers.
A slow, teasing smile spread across Chris's face. "You know," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "if you wanted me to hold you, you could have just asked. No need for the dramatic fall."
Lily felt her face flush hot with embarrassment, but she couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips.
Why did she even sign up for this?!