Aurora’s POV
With everything Ryan had been doing for me, I felt like I was living a dream life already. The way he offered to get me clothes for the party tomorrow left me speechless. I didn’t even know what to say. Maybe I should just let him do whatever he wants because, knowing him, even if I refused, he would insist until I gave in.
He was still waiting for me to say something after he mentioned getting me new clothes.
“Okay,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Good, you’re learning now,” he said, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
I frowned slightly, confused. “I’m learning what?” I asked.
“Learning how not to decline my offers until I persuade you,” he said, his tone teasing but firm.
“Oh,” was all I could manage.
“I’m going to order food for us. What do you want to eat?” he asked.
“Anything you’re having,” I replied quickly, not wanting to make it complicated.
“Alright,” he chuckled softly, nodding as he picked up his phone.
I tried not to stare at him, but my gaze lingered. My thoughts wandered to our kiss, and a wave of happiness coursed through me. My first kiss was with the right person. Ryan.
Not like I wanted anything more with him or anything.
Stop deceiving yourself, Aurora. You obviously like him.
Shut up, I scolded myself inwardly.
Ryan glanced at me, catching me lost in my thoughts, and gave me a questioning look. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Thank goodness he couldn’t hear my thoughts. I quickly shook my head, signaling that nothing was wrong. He nodded and returned his focus to his call.
I picked up my phone, but my mind drifted to my mother. She was always in my thoughts. I wished I could call her, tell her I was okay. But Marcus never allowed her to have a phone. The ache in my chest grew as I longed to see her again.
“The food will be here in thirty minutes,” Ryan’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
“Alright,” I said softly, forcing a small smile.
Needing a distraction, I suddenly had an idea. “Let’s take a picture,” I said, looking at him expectantly.
“What?” he asked, his brows furrowing.
“Yes, let’s do something fun. Today has been hectic for both of us,” I said, giggling lightly.
“I’m not a fan of pictures, Aurora. I don’t even have a personal photo,” he said, his voice soft but firm.
“I don’t have a picture either. That’s more reason to take one together,” I argued, already pouting at him.
I didn’t know what came over me, but I couldn’t let it go. Normally, I would’ve dropped the idea at his first refusal, but I found myself determined.
“Aurora-”
“Pretty please,” I cut him off, my voice dropping to a pleading whisper.
He sighed, shaking his head slightly. “Okay, if you insist.”
I shot up immediately, my excitement bubbling over. I grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up. Of course, I didn’t actually succeed in pulling him-he was too solid for that-but he humored me and stood.
I set my phone on the table and adjusted the timer to fifteen seconds.
“Do whatever I do,” I instructed him, positioning us in front of the camera.
“Alright,” he said, though he sounded skeptical.
I bent toward the camera, pouting my lips, and then turned to see if he was copying me. He wasn’t. He was just standing there, staring at me.
“Do it quickly,” I urged, turning back to face the camera as the timer beeped and the photo clicked.
Excited, I grabbed the phone to check the picture. My heart skipped a beat when I saw it. Ryan hadn’t followed my lead. He was staring at me in the photo, his expression intense yet calm.
I felt my cheeks heat up. “Look,” I said, holding up the phone to show him. “It’s cute, right?”
“I’m not cute, Aurora,” he replied, his tone flat but amused.
“But it is,” I insisted, placing the phone back on the table to set up another shot.
“Follow my lead this time,” I said, already preparing for the second pose.
The timer started, and I turned around to strike a playful pose. Before I could fully process what was happening, Ryan scooped me up in a bridal style.
My breath caught as I felt his strong arms around me, effortlessly holding me like I weighed nothing.
“Ryan, what are you doing?” I gasped, my voice barely audible.
“Shhhh, smile for the camera,” he said, his tone calm and steady.
I couldn’t help but obey, smiling just as the photo clicked.
He dropped me gently back onto my feet, his hands lingering for a brief second before he stepped back. My heart was racing as I stumbled forward to grab my phone. I glanced at the photo and couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips.
“This looks romantic,” I told him, still captivated by the image.
“Hm,” he said, his tone low and unreadable.
“What?” I asked, glancing up at him.
“Is that your definition of romantic?” he asked, his voice dipping as he took a step closer.
I froze. He wasn’t even a foot away from me now. The space between us felt nonexistent, and I could smell his cologne-earthy and intoxicating. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up at him, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.
“Can I have your phone?” he asked softly, his voice laced with something I couldn’t quite place.
“Sure,” I whispered, handing it over, still unsure of what he intended to do.
And then it happened.
His lips were on mine.
The world around me disappeared as my eyes flew open in surprise. The suddenness of it sent a jolt through me, but then my body softened. My hands instinctively rested on his broad shoulders while his hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer. His back bent slightly, angling himself to deepen the kiss, and I felt his warmth wrap around me.
It was gentle yet consuming, and my heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
And then, I heard it.
A soft click.
Ryan pulled back just enough to let our foreheads touch, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
“Now that’s how you take a romantic photo, Aurora,” he said, his voice a soft rumble as his piercing gaze held mine. It felt as if he were looking straight into my soul.
I blinked, completely speechless. My lips tingled from the kiss, and my breath hitched as his words sank in. He’d taken a picture. Of us. KISSING.
I was about to say something-anything, but the doorbell rang, pulling us both out of the moment.
“Food delivery,” came a voice from the other side of the door.
I let out a deep breath because I didn’t know what to say.
“They came earlier than expected,” I murmured, trying to find my footing in the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling.
Ryan handed me my phone, his fingers brushing against mine. The small touch sent another wave of butterflies through my stomach.
“Stay here,” he said, his tone firm and possessive, yet it wasn’t overbearing. It sent a thrill through me instead.
I nodded wordlessly, watching as he strode to the door. Once he was gone, I sank onto the bed, clutching my phone tightly. My hands were trembling as I unlocked it to check the photo.
There it was-a perfect, intimate shot of us. His hand cupped my face gently, and the way our lips met looked straight out of a romance movie. My heart swelled as I stared at it, and I couldn’t stop the small smile spreading across my face.
We looked good together. Too good.
“Stop it, Aurora,” I whispered to myself. “He’s not… he’s not in your league.”
But we kissed. That has to mean something, right?
My mind was spinning, and I couldn’t stop the hope bubbling inside me, no matter how much I tried to suppress it. I didn’t want to get hurt, didn’t want to let myself believe there could be more. But in this moment, with that photo, I couldn’t deny it anymore.
I didn’t want this to end.
Ryan returned with the food moments later, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were consumed by the kiss, by the photo, and by the feelings I was desperately trying to keep at bay.
And for the first time in a long while, I let myself imagine…What if?