Valeria's POV
The penthouse was silent as Adrian closed the door behind us, sealing the world outside. The city lights flickered, casting soft shadows on the walls as I felt the weight of the battle we had just fought together linger in the air. We'd barely escaped the darkness of Nyx's domain, but now that we were safe, the true toll of the battle began to settle in. My body was bruised and tired, my mind a whirlwind of everything that had happened.
Yet, despite the exhaustion pulling at me, the pull between Adrian and me was undeniable. His presence was like a beacon in the storm, steady and unwavering, and in that moment, nothing else mattered except him and the connection we shared.
He turned to face me, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and longing. His hands reached for me slowly, as though unsure of whether I wanted him close, but I didn't need a second more to close the distance between us.
I stepped into his arms, wrapping mine around his neck, and pulled him down into a kiss. It was soft at first, tentative, like we were both testing the waters of this fragile, newfound peace. But as the kiss deepened, the years of fighting, of longing, melted away, leaving only the need for each other. I could feel his heart beating against my chest, matching the rhythm of mine, a perfect synchronization that felt like the universe had designed us to be this way.
Adrian's hands moved to my back, pressing me closer to him, and I shuddered at the contact. His lips trailed down to my neck, his breath warm against my skin. The sensation sent a shiver of pleasure through my body, and I could feel myself responding to him instinctively. He made me feel safe, wanted, cherished. For the first time in so long, I felt like I could truly breathe, free of the weight of the world and the darkness that had plagued my life for so long.
"You're everything to me," he murmured, his lips brushing against my skin. The words were more than just a declaration; they were a promise.
I closed my eyes, letting myself soak in the intensity of the moment. His love was palpable, in every touch, every kiss, and I realized then how deeply I had fallen for him. "And you are everything to me," I whispered back, my hands tracing the lines of his jaw, feeling the stubble beneath my fingertips.
He groaned softly at my touch, his hands sliding under the hem of my shirt, pulling it up over my head with practiced ease. His gaze burned with desire, but there was something more in his eyes. Something deeper. It was admiration. Respect. Love. And I felt that in the very core of my being.
I reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head, and suddenly, we were skin to skin, hearts racing as the heat between us grew more intense. He lowered his head to kiss me again, his lips bruising against mine in a kiss that was both desperate and tender. His hands roamed my back, tracing the curves of my body, memorizing every inch of me as if he never wanted to forget this moment.
When I felt his hands slide down to my waist, lifting me effortlessly, I gasped, instinctively wrapping my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bedroom. There was no hesitation, no question in his movements. This was where we were meant to be. Together.
He set me down gently on the bed, his eyes never leaving mine as he undressed, each piece of clothing falling away until he was standing before me, vulnerable and perfect in every way. I reached out, my hands trembling slightly as I traced the lines of his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath beneath my fingertips.
"I've wanted this," I said, my voice low, barely audible, as I reached for him, my hands sliding over his shoulders, pulling him down toward me.
He kissed me again, his lips hungry, devouring mine with a passion that sent sparks of heat shooting through my veins. His hands roamed over my body with reverence, as if memorizing every part of me, and I responded with equal fervor, my hands tracing the hard planes of his body, feeling the tension in his muscles, the strength in his form.
When his lips moved down to my neck, I tilted my head back, giving him full access, my hands threading through his hair as I pulled him closer. Every inch of his touch was electric, every kiss igniting a fire deep within me that I couldn't suppress.
"I love you," he whispered against my skin, the words a balm to my weary soul. "I love you, Valeria, more than you'll ever know."
I wanted to respond, to tell him I loved him too, but his lips were back on mine before I could form the words. He kissed me with a force that left me breathless, and I melted against him, my body trembling as the intensity between us grew.
Slowly, Adrian's hands moved to the waistband of my pants, and with a flick of his wrist, they were gone, leaving me exposed and vulnerable before him. He looked at me with a fierce intensity that made my heart race, his gaze dark and filled with desire.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice rough with need. "I need you, Valeria. I need to be with you."
I didn't have to think twice. I needed him too. I needed this-needed him-in a way I had never needed anything before.
I reached for him, pulling him down to me, my legs wrapping around his waist as I kissed him with everything I had. His weight settled between my legs, and I moaned softly, feeling the heat of his body against mine.
When he entered me, it was like coming home. A perfect fit, a perfect connection, and for a moment, the world around us disappeared. There was nothing but the two of us, locked together in a union of body and soul.
We moved together, slowly at first, as if savoring the moment, and then faster, more urgently, as the heat between us built. His name escaped my lips in a breathless whisper, and he responded with a low groan, his hands gripping my hips, pulling me closer as we found a rhythm that felt like destiny.
Every touch, every kiss, every movement was a reflection of everything we had been through, everything we had fought for. Our bodies were in perfect harmony, a beautiful dance that neither of us wanted to end.
When we reached the peak together, it was like a wave crashing over us, a flood of pleasure that left us both breathless. I cried out his name, feeling the release shudder through my entire being, and he followed moments later, his grip tightening as he came, his breath ragged against my skin.
We collapsed together, tangled in the sheets, our bodies still trembling from the intensity of our love. I buried my face in his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat as he pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me like a shield.
"I never want to let you go," he murmured, his lips brushing against my forehead. "You're mine, Valeria. Always."
I pressed a kiss to his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my lips. "And you're mine," I whispered back.
___
I could still feel the heat of his body against mine, the remnants of the passion we had shared. My heart fluttered in my chest as I lay beside him, the sheets tangled around our bodies. His arm was draped protectively over me, and the sound of his heartbeat was like a soothing lullaby that grounded me.
Adrian shifted slightly, pulling me closer to him as though afraid I would slip away. His lips brushed my forehead in a soft kiss, a tender gesture that spoke volumes. He wasn't just holding me; he was claiming me, marking me in ways that went beyond physical touch.
"I never want to let you go," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "After everything, you're the only thing that makes sense."
I looked up at him, my fingers tracing the lines of his jaw, the sharpness of his features softened by the tenderness in his eyes. There was so much I wanted to say, but words failed me. He didn't need me to say anything, though. He already knew.
"I feel the same," I murmured, my voice thick with the weight of my own emotions. "You're everything, Adrian. Everything."
His lips met mine again, this time slow and tender, as if savoring the moment. There was no urgency, no desperation. It was just us, lost in the quiet intimacy of the moment. I could feel the love in every touch, every kiss, and I never wanted it to end.
Adrian's hands roamed over my body, his touch gentle but possessive, as though he was reassuring himself that I was truly here, truly his. And as his lips moved to my neck, his breath hot against my skin, I couldn't help but shiver in response.
"Valeria," he whispered again, his voice deep and filled with longing. "I need you. I need all of you."
I turned in his arms, straddling his waist, our faces only inches apart. His hands gripped my hips, and I could feel the heat of his desire pressing against me. His eyes darkened with something primal, something raw.
"I need you too," I breathed, my hands gliding over his chest, tracing the muscles that had always been there for me—strong, dependable, and comforting.
Adrian's gaze never left mine as he gently pushed me back onto the bed, his lips trailing kisses down my neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. Every touch was a promise, every movement a declaration of the connection we shared.
We moved together, the world outside fading into nothingness. It was just us, our bodies entwined in a dance of passion and intimacy. Our hearts beat in synchrony, our breaths coming faster as the intensity between us built once again.
The room was charged with an energy that only we shared. The chaos of the world outside might have tried to tear us apart, but here, in this moment, we were safe. We were whole.
Adrian's hands explored every inch of my skin, his touch gentle yet demanding, as though he was claiming me in a way only he could. His lips were everywhere—on my lips, my neck, my chest. Each kiss sent a shockwave of pleasure through me, igniting every nerve in my body.
"Valeria," he whispered, his voice hoarse as he gazed down at me. "I want you to know that you mean everything to me. I'll fight for you. I'll fight for us."
I reached up to pull him down for another kiss, my hands threading through his hair. "You've already done more than enough," I murmured against his lips. "I'm yours, Adrian. I always will be."
For a long time, we simply lay there, our bodies pressed close, finding comfort in each other's warmth. The world outside could wait. For now, we were safe. For now, we were whole.
But just as I thought the storm had passed, a shiver ran down my spine, and a sense of unease washed over me.
Adrian must have felt it too, because he pulled away slightly, his eyes narrowing in concern. "What's wrong?"
I sat up, my heart pounding in my chest. The atmosphere in the room had changed. I could feel it in the air—the subtle shift, the presence that had appeared without warning.
From the shadows, a figure emerged. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him, the figure I had hoped I'd never see again.
Talon.
His eyes burned with a mixture of fury and obsession, his lips curling into a twisted smile as he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving me.
"I warned you, Valeria," Talon's voice was low and dangerous, his every word laced with malice. "You can run, you can hide, but you can never escape me."
Adrian's body stiffened next to me, his protective instinct kicking in as he stood up, positioning himself between Talon and me. "Stay away from her," Adrian growled, his voice like gravel, filled with menace.
Talon laughed, the sound echoing through the room, cold and cruel. "You think you can stop me, Adrian? You've always been in the way. But now, it's time for you to learn your place."
I stood up beside Adrian, my voice was steady as I addressed Talon. "You don't own me, Talon. I'm not yours to take."
Talon's smile faltered, but his obsession only seemed to deepen. "You'll learn, Valeria. You'll see. I always get what I want."
Adrian stepped forward, his stance unwavering, his eyes burning with protective fury. "Not this time."
Talon tilted his head, studying us both for a long moment before he stepped back, his expression darkening. "We'll see. But you haven't heard the last of me."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind the heavy tension in the air.
I looked up at Adrian. "He won't stop."
Adrian turned to me, his eyes fierce, but filled with determination. "Then neither will I. I'll protect you, Valeria. No matter what it takes."