SEBASTIAN’S POV
I hadn’t meant to say it aloud. The thought slipped out before I could catch it, like my tongue had rebelled against the script in my head. The words hovered in the air between us as Sasha blinked in surprise.
“You look… beautiful.”
There she stood, wrapped in nothing but a towel, strands of damp hair clinging to her shoulders, droplets running down her arms. Her skin glowed, kissed by the steam of a hot shower. She looked vulnerable and powerful all at once, like a goddess caught unawares.
A flush of red crept up her neck and into her cheeks. She turned her gaze away, fiddling with the edge of her towel, holding it firmly in place as if my words had somehow threatened to steal it away from her.
“Sebastian…” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but laced with a familiar bite. “You can’t just say things like that,” she murmured, not meeting my eyes. “I’m literally in a towel right now. Don’t you think you’re being a little… outrageous?”
I chuckled, unable to help myself. Sasha always had that effect on me. When she looked at me like that, embarrassed yet defiant, I wanted nothing more than to challenge her. It was as if she dared me to push her boundaries.
“Outrageous, hmm?” I raised an eyebrow, grinning. “I don’t know, Sasha. If that’s outrageous, then maybe you need to spend more time around me. That was hardly the limit of my charms.”
She rolled her eyes, biting back a smile, and tightened her grip on the towel, wrapping it higher around her chest. “Just because you’re charming doesn’t mean you get to flirt with me whenever you want, you know,” she muttered, but there was no real sting to her words. Instead, there was something softer, something that told me she didn’t mind the attention. Maybe even liked it.
“Noted.” I chuckled, keeping my eyes on her. “But I won’t apologise for it. I meant it, Sasha. You really do look beautiful.” I softened my tone, catching the faintest hint of a blush on her cheeks before she looked away again.
I gestured to the tray the maid had left on the small table by the window. “Come on,” I said, stepping back to give her space. “Sit down, and let me feed you. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
With a quiet exhale, Sasha moved to the table, her steps hesitant but steady. She lowered herself into the chair and looked up at me, an eyebrow raised. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
I shrugged, picking up a piece of fresh fruit from the tray and holding it out to her. “It’s been a long week,” I said simply. “And I don’t get the chance to relax like this often. Besides, I think I owe you a proper breakfast after…” I trailed off, thinking of all the times I’d put her through stress. Dangerous situations, too many late nights, and one-too-many close calls.
She glanced at the fruit in my hand, then backed up at me. “Alright, fine,” she conceded, leaning forward, her lips parting slightly. “But only because I don’t want the food to go to waste.”
I grinned and offered her the slice of fruit, watching as she took it with a delicate bite. She chewed slowly, savouring the taste, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange satisfaction. We continued like this for a few moments, silence settling between us as I fed her piece after piece, the simple intimacy of it unlike anything I’d felt before. It was rare for me to be so close to someone, let alone to care for them like this.
“So, what are your plans for the day?” she asked, breaking the silence.
I leaned back, rubbing the back of my neck as I considered her question. “I have a bit of free time,” I admitted, surprised at how the words felt foreign on my tongue. “Figured I might as well spend it with you, if you’re up for it.”
She raised an eyebrow, giving me a sceptical look. “And what exactly do you plan for us to do, Mr. ‘I don’t have free time’?”
I laughed. “Maybe a walk around the city. A little fresh air, maybe even… I don’t know, something simple.”
She seemed unconvinced, her expression guarded, though I could see a glimmer of intrigue behind her eyes. “You? Doing something simple? Somehow, I don’t believe that.”
“Try me,” I replied, my voice dropping to a challenge.
She leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine, then. Surprise me, Sebastian. Show me what you do for fun when you’re not… you know.” She trailed off, but I knew what she meant-when I wasn’t working, when I wasn’t putting myself in danger, dealing with people who wanted to see me disappear.
I chuckled, nodding. “Challenge accepted.”
We spent the next few minutes finishing breakfast, the easy banter between us filling the room. There was something refreshing about it, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. The heaviness that usually lingered over my days seemed lighter, as if just being around her was enough to make me forget, even if just for a little while.
After she’d dressed and gathered her things, we headed out, leaving the confines of the suite and stepping out onto the streets. The city was alive, the familiar sounds and scents hitting me as we walked side by side, blending into the flow of people around us. The world felt brighter, sharper, and I found myself almost nervous, though I hid it well.
“So, what’s first on the itinerary?” she asked, looking up at me, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
I smirked, feigning nonchalance. “Patience, Sasha. The best surprises come to those who wait.”
She rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. “I swear, if you pull something ridiculous…”
I laughed, nudging her gently. “Trust me.”
We walked for a while, weaving through the city streets, until we reached a small park tucked away from the bustling main roads. It was quiet here, the sounds of the city fading into the background, leaving only the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. I led her to a bench near a pond, where a handful of ducks floated lazily, their feathers ruffled by the breeze.
“A park?” she asked, eyebrows raised.
“Not just any park,” I corrected her, my voice soft. “I used to come here a lot when I was younger. Whenever things got a bit too… loud.” I glanced away, feeling strangely exposed. This place held memories both good and bad but somehow, it felt right to share it with her.
She looked at me, something softening in her expression. “I didn’t know you had a place like this,” she murmured.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Sasha.” I met her gaze, the weight of my words hanging between us.
She opened her mouth to respond, but I cut her off with a small smile. “Come on,” I said, standing up and holding out my hand. “There’s more.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur of laughter and stolen glances. I took her to my favourite spots around the city-places I hadn’t shown anyone, places that held pieces of me I hadn’t even realised I’d lost. With each stop, I felt a part of my walls crumble, bit by bit, until all that was left was a man and a woman, both searching for something neither of us knew how to name.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city, we found ourselves back where we’d started, standing on the edge of the park. The silence between us was comfortable, filled with a sense of understanding that words couldn’t capture.
“So,” she said, breaking the quiet, “is this what you do when you’re not… you know?” Her voice was soft, her gaze fixed on the fading light.
I turned to her, feeling something stir in my chest. “Sometimes,” I admitted. “But today was different.”
She looked up at me, her expression unreadable. “Different how?”
I paused, choosing my words carefully. “Different because it was with you.”