Page 12 of Of Daggers and Deceit

Moments where it was just the two of us were so rare, and he was always searching and grabbing for me when they came. I met him just as eagerly, because he was the best version of himself in our quiet time together.

His forehead rested on my own as he continued to place soft pecks on my lips, drawing a small laugh from me.

“You might ruin my lipstick,” I scolded playfully.

A small laugh escaped him before he kissed me again and again.

“For some reason, tonight, when you’re only mine, I can’t seem to care.” But he drew back anyway, and his eyes narrowed on a spot on my lower lip, his thumb reaching out to smooth the imperfection away.

“Better?” he asked, and I nodded as the elevator came to a stop. I turned in his arms, spying the number of the floor we were on.

Roof.

I suppressed my gasp as he allowed me to take the lead, stepping out into the fresh, cool air the minute the doors opened.

The first thing I noticed was the small area that had been set up on top of a soft, furry rug, some large pillows and a small table with an array of fruits, dips, and vegetables on it. The second thing I noticed was that the walls around us were glowing a soft, red light, and there was no ceiling at all.

It was both terrifying to consider where I was and utterly jaw-dropping in the grandest way.

I turned towards Zander, who had been standing patiently with his hands in his pockets, allowing me to take in the view.

“Confirming we are in the rose that sits at the peak of this building?” I asked as his lips lifted at the corners.

From afar, the rose that sat at the peak of his tower looked ornamental. I had no idea the structure itself was a balcony.

He gave me a smug smile.

“We are. It’s my personal space, but I’d like to share it with you.”

He was a proud Omega, one who thrived when he awed others with his ideas and gestures, but this one had floored me with its serenity and thoughtfulness.

Raya would have dreamed of being in a place like this. Up so high, I swear I could reach my fingers out and snatch a star right out of the sky. I understood her love of the sky now, because right above me was the most magnificent view I had ever seen, not a single cloud in the sky.

Hope and wonder blazed through me.

Zander walked over and sat himself down on the rug, grabbing two crystal glasses for us both before pouring them out on the little table and filling them with his favourite sweet wine. I walked gracefully over to join him, sitting down beside him as I reached across and plucked a berry off the plate, biting into its juicy sweetness and allowing it to trickle down my throat.

“Thank you,” I told him as he handed me a glass.

He lifted his glass to clink against my own in a toast. “To a more beautiful future.”

“To a more beautiful future,” I agreed warmly as the chink pierced the air and we both leaned back to sip the wine. It was an overload on the sweetness for me, but I could enjoy and share this time with him, especially after he had been so thoughtful in bringing me here. This was perfect, everything I could have asked for.

Zander leaned back on one of the pillows and took a long, deep breath in, exhaling a satisfied sigh.

I glanced over at him, so unused to seeing him so relaxed and at ease.

“Today went well then?” I asked, curious to hear about his day.

He looked over at me and nodded. “Today ran smoothly. For the first time in a long time, I feel peaceful.” He looked it too, the hard planes of his face softening the longer we relaxed here.

I looked around at the pulsing, soft light of the rose petals and slowly lay back beside him.

He took the opportunity to grab me by the waist and drag me carefully towards him, his nose dipping to the crook of my neck, scenting me with another sigh. I shifted my body around in response to lay my head sideways on his chest, feeling its rise and fall as he breathed.

His reverent fingers stroked gently through my hair as we lay together in silence, simply enjoying each other’s touch. I too enjoyed the peace and found the silence like a balm. But I couldn’t forget what I had planned to ask, and I didn’t want to turn back on my plan. It may as well be asked now so we could truly enjoy each other’s company.

I brought my right hand up and laid it to rest on his ribcage beside my head, using my thumb to swipe soothingly back and forth whilst I prepared myself. My pulse throbbed in my ears, my earlier nerves trickling back in again.

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