Liam's POV
I waited a few minutes after Destiny disappeared into the room, standing just outside the door, caught in an internal debate. I wasn't ready to leave her yet. Something about the peace in her presence was both comforting and unsettling at the same time. I inched closer, the familiar pull drawing me toward her, and carefully turned the knob, pushing the door open just enough to slip inside without making a sound. My pulse quickened as I did so, unsure if this was crossing a line.
The sight of her instantly disarmed me. She was curled up on the left side of the bed, a peaceful slumber softening her usually sharp expressions. A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth before I even realized it. There she was, vulnerable in a way I wasn't used to seeing. I leaned my shoulder against the door, drinking in the sight of her.
Her features softened in sleep, her brows not furrowed in their usual concentration. I found my feet moving toward her almost instinctively, each step cautious, measured. I didn't want to disturb her. Reaching the edge of the bed, I gently tugged the blanket up to her shoulders, covering her exposed skin. A sudden rush of protectiveness surged through me.
I sat at her side, careful not to make the bed creak under my weight, and brushed a few strands of hair that had fallen across her face behind her ear. My thumb lingered near her cheek, the softness of her skin beneath my touch momentarily grounding me. She exhaled deeply, her body shifting slightly as if adjusting to some dream, and I pulled my hand back, afraid that I had disturbed her. Her left hand rose, tucking itself beneath her cheek, and she pouted ever so slightly, a gesture so innocent it nearly unraveled me.
I bent down, pressing my lips to her forehead. The kiss was meant to be fleeting, but I stayed there for several seconds longer than I had intended, breathing in her scent, savoring the brief connection. As I pulled away, I sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of everything that had gone unsaid between us.
I slipped off my shoes and coat, lying down beside her with careful deliberation. Though my body ached to pull her close, I maintained a respectful distance. The last thing I wanted was for her to wake up and think less of me. That thought twisted like a knife in my gut, a reminder of the delicate balance between us. I lay on my back, staring up at the ceiling, my mind refusing to quiet.
Sleep eluded me, my thoughts drifting back to her, lingering on the moments we shared. I heard the faint shuffle of movement next to me. When I turned my head, Destiny had shifted in her sleep, now facing me fully. Her blouse had ridden up, exposing the soft, inviting curve of her waist. The blanket had slipped down during her restless movements, and I felt a sudden pang of desire hit me hard, unbidden.
I cursed silently, realizing just how torturous this was. Why hadn't I just slept outside? I couldn't keep doing this to myself, being this close to her, yet so far from having her in the way I wanted. But it wasn't just desire that tied me to her; it was something more profound, something I hadn't yet fully reckoned with.
Without thinking, I sat up and gently pulled the blanket back over her, shielding her from my wandering eyes and, perhaps, from my own conflicting emotions. I lay back down, this time turning toward her, watching the rise and fall of her chest, the subtle flutter of her eyelashes. She looked so innocent, almost childlike, and it struck me how deeply I cared for her in a way that went beyond mere attraction.
Somehow, amidst the chaos of my thoughts, sleep finally claimed me.
---
I woke to the soft, persistent knocking on the door, my brain sluggish to register the sound. I was about to sit up when I felt the warmth of her body pressed against me. Destiny had curled up next to me in her sleep, her head resting on my shoulder. The sight of her made my heart skip a beat. She had unknowingly sought comfort in me during the night, and for a moment, I let myself imagine that this was how things could always be.
Another knock interrupted my reverie. I carefully slid out from beneath her, making sure not to disturb her, and made my way to the door. The attendant stood there, an apologetic look on her face.
"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but the plane is about to land. I came to wake you so that you can be in your seats for the announcement."
I nodded, appreciating her discretion, and closed the door quietly behind me. Heading to the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face to clear the lingering haze of sleep, though my thoughts were still heavy with Destiny's presence.
When I returned to wake her, I couldn't resist the urge to touch her again, shaking her gently. "Destiny," I whispered softly, careful not to startle her. "Destiny, it's time to wake up. We're about to land."
She stirred, groaning softly, and slowly sat up, her eyes half-lidded with sleep. "Ah…what?" she mumbled, her voice groggy and thick with exhaustion.
"The plane is about to land," I repeated, fighting the urge to laugh at how endearing she looked, her usually sharp wit dulled by the haze of sleep. "We need to get back to our seats."
She nodded slowly, still not fully awake, and stumbled out of bed. I followed her, chuckling quietly as she plopped down in her seat and stared blankly out the window, chin resting on her hand. She hadn't even bothered to fasten her seatbelt.
The flight attendant's voice crackled over the speaker, announcing the descent and instructing everyone to buckle up. I glanced over at Destiny again, noticing that she had drifted off to sleep once more, her head still leaning against her hand. I chuckled softly, the sight too precious to ignore, and quickly snapped a photo with my phone. Then, carefully, I fastened her seatbelt, making sure she was secure.
The plane landed smoothly, and as passengers began to disembark, I found myself unwilling to wake her. Instead, I lifted her gently into my arms and carried her toward the exit. Her head lolled against my shoulder, completely oblivious to the world around her.
Once outside, I placed her in the backseat of my waiting car, settling next to her as she shifted, instinctively nestling against me. I rested my head against the window, unable to stop the smile that crept onto my face. Even in her sleep, she trusted me enough to let her guard down completely.
---
The drive to the hotel was quiet, the hum of the city outside lulling us into a comfortable silence. I glanced down at her as she began to stir, rubbing her eyes in that adorable way she always did when she woke up.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked, my voice low so as not to startle her.
She blinked up at me in confusion, her eyes wide with surprise. "What…? Where am I? I was in the plane…"
I couldn't help but laugh, her confusion utterly charming. "You don't remember getting up? You walked to your seat, but you fell asleep again before the plane landed. I didn't have the heart to wake you, so I carried you to the car."
Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, her lips forming a small 'O' as understanding dawned. She blushed, embarrassed, and I couldn't resist leaning closer to whisper in her ear, "And don't fall asleep like that around other men. You're only allowed to do that with me."
Her eyes widened at my words, and for a moment, the air between us crackled with unspoken tension. Our faces were just inches apart, close enough that I could feel the warmth of her breath against my skin. Before I could act on the urge to close the distance, the car came to a stop, snapping us both out of the moment.
---
As we stepped out of the car, I watched her from the corner of my eye, noting the way her face remained thoughtful, perhaps still processing my words. I moved to retrieve our luggage, dismissing her offer to carry her own things. That wasn't going to happen, not if I could help it.
Inside the hotel, the receptionist greeted me with a bright smile, her voice annoyingly cheerful. I returned a polite nod but kept my expression neutral, uninterested in her attempts to flirt. It wasn't worth my time or attention. The only person whose reaction mattered to me right now was Destiny.
We followed the receptionist to the penthouse, and as soon as she left, I turned to see Destiny's eyes light up with awe. She whispered a quiet "Wow," clearly impressed by the luxury of the suite.
"Are you just going to stand there, or are you coming in?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. She nodded quickly and stepped inside, still taking in the opulence of the room.
I led her upstairs to her designated room, dropping her bags onto the floor. "This is your room until we leave. Be ready by nine forty-five. We need to leave for the meeting."
She nodded, and I left her to settle in. After a quick shower and changing into a fresh suit, I headed back downstairs, the scent of something cooking catching my attention. I followed the smell to the kitchen and found Destiny standing at the stove, humming to herself as she prepared breakfast.
The sight of her was so domestic, so out of character for the woman I had come to know, that I love.