*Selena*
I stood there, a sense of uncertainty washing over me as Zander disappeared into the bathroom. The seconds felt like minutes as I waited, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The room seemed to tighten around me, and I found myself pacing back and forth, my eyes occasionally glancing at the ticking clock on the wall.
Finally, he emerged from the bathroom, clad in sleepwear that hung comfortably on his frame. His hair was still damp, each strand catching a glimmer of light as he ruffled it with his hand, a casual yet enticing gesture that sent a shiver down my spine. I swallowed hard, my heart doing an erratic dance in my chest. It was impossible to deny my ex-mate looked strikingly hot.
“You want to use the bathroom?!” his voice broke through my reverie, concern knitting his brows together.
I shook my head slightly, still trapped in a trance, my voice held hostage by the sheer intensity of the moment.
“Okay, let’s call it a night,” he declared, his footsteps leading him to his customary side of the bed the left.
I watched as he settled in, his eyes darting toward me when he noticed my immobility, his expression etched with a mixture of confusion and something I couldn’t quite decipher.
“What are you thinking, Selena? Come and sleep,” his voice held an air of authority, a command that I struggled to resist. But the bed, the place that once held both our dreams and whispered secrets, felt like a precipice I wasn’t sure I was ready to venture onto.
“I think I should sleep on the couch,” my voice escaped in a hesitant whisper. I couldn’t meet his gaze as I said it, my eyes drawn to the bed that used to be ours, mine.
“Why? The bed is big enough for two of us,” he questioned, his forehead creasing.
“Zander…” I sighed, my eyes fixed on the bedspread as I wasn’t sure how to explain.
“Come here, Selena,” undeterred, he beckoned with a commanding presence, his words a gentle yet authoritative directive. “We have a lot to tackle tomorrow,” he reasoned, a practical undertone weaving through his words.
With a nervous nod, I willed my trembling legs to carry me to the right side of the bed. The softness of the mattress welcomed me, and I settled down in silence, deliberately turning my back to Zander. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I closed my eyes, silently urging my racing heart to calm down. I desperately wished for my heart to cease its wild dance, but the mere reality of lying beside Zander was an overwhelming sensation. How could I have expected anything less than my heart pounding like a runaway train?
Even without looking, I could sense Zander’s presence beside me. The air seemed to tingle with his proximity, and the enticing manly scent that was uniquely his made it nearly impossible to rein in my desires. I felt a subtle shift in the bed, his movements sending ripples through the sheets, and then the warmth of the covers enveloped me, cocooning me in their embrace.
Gripping the covers tightly, I pulled them up to my chin, the fabric offering a sense of security amidst the whirlwind of emotions. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing, each inhale and exhale a lifeline as I tried to calm the storm within.
Unbeknownst to me, slumber claimed my consciousness, and I found myself surrendering to a comfort I hadn’t experienced in years. The warmth of the bed embraced me, and the weight of worry seemed to drift away, leaving me in a cocoon of tranquility.
As the first light of morning pierced through my closed eyelids, I stirred awake. To my surprise, I was met with the gaze of Zander, his deep blue eyes locked onto mine. A soft smile curved my lips, a mixture of emotions passing between us. Inching closer, I nestled myself against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. With a contented sigh, I closed my eyes again, the pull of slumber tempting me once more, a newfound sense of peace settling over me.
Wait a minute! I was lying on his chest?!
His chest?!
My eyes fluttered open as I blinked to clear the bewitching daze and looked up at him. In a drowsy haze, I realized I was nestled in his arms, his firm body pressed intimately against mine. His gaze was intense, a reflection of the emotions and desires that echoed within me, causing a nervous flutter in my chest. My breath hitched, caught in the intensity of the moment, and I unconsciously parted my lips, preparing to speak.
Before I could utter a single word, his lips crashed down upon mine, erasing any chance of forming an explanation about our intimate entanglement. A low, involuntary moan escaped me as his teeth grazed my lower lip, inviting his tongue to slip into my hungry mouth. In an instant, all rational thoughts and uncertainties dissipated from my mind, swept away by the overwhelming sensations that pulsed between us. His hunger for me was palpable, a fire that raged in his eyes as he held me with a possessive fervor, as though afraid I might vanish if he loosened his grip.
Our kiss deepened, becoming a collision of raw desires and emotions. My hands explored every inch of his sculpted torso, aching to feel his bare skin against my fingertips.