Page 104 of Heart of The Night

‘I’ve missed you, too.’ He pulled me against him, his hand slipping to the small of my back as he adjusted our stance into a more intimate dance. ‘More than you know,’ he said, his voice a hushed caress that wrapped around my heart.

I held his gaze, my features twisting with guilt. ‘Will, I really am sorry. I’ve just needed space to think, to process everything, and I didn’t realise how much it was affecting you.’ I put my hand on his cheek, running my thumb across it. ‘But I’m still here. My feelings for you haven’t changed.’

A soft sigh of relief escaped him, and I could almost feel the tension easing from his shoulders. He said nothing, just leaned in, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was both tender and fervent, pouring all his emotions into that single, breathtaking moment. The kiss deepened, and I clung to him, feeling the depth of his love in every gentle movement. His hands roamed down my back, sliding under my T-shirt and then up again, caressing my bare skin.

He broke the kiss, his forehead resting against mine, our breaths mingling in the charged air. ‘Cara,’ he said quietly, his voice trembling with desire and suffering.

My fingers traced the line of his jaw, feeling the tension there. ‘I’m here,’ I breathed, my voice a mere whisper, heavy with emotion.

His lips found mine again, slow and deliberate, as if savouring every second. He bent slightly, his hands sliding down to grasp my thighs, lifting me effortlessly against him. The room seemed to melt away as he carried me to the sofa in front of the fireplace, the flickering light casting shadows that danced around us. Gently, he lay me down, his body covering mine. My hands moved of their own accord, exploring the contours of his shoulders, his back, feeling the strength of his muscles.

His kisses grew more intense, his fingers trailing down my sides. Finding the hem of my T-shirt, he lifted it slowly, reverently. I raised my arms, allowing him to pull it over my head. But as the fabric left my skin, a sliver of doubt crept in.

Was this wise? Was it fair to William to let things go further when everything was still so uncertain?

I felt a pang of guilt as I gazed up at him, his eyes dark with longing and vulnerability. He deserved honesty, clarity, not a fleeting moment that might blur the lines of our complicated situation.

When he was about to lean in again, his hand sliding up my bare torso, I gently caught his wrist.

‘William,’ I said, my voice unsteady. ‘Is this… wise?’

His jaw clenched and he paused, his gaze searching mine. ‘Yes,’ he said resolutely. ‘I want to savour this moment with you, to cherish you in a way I might not be able to…’ He trailed off and grimaced, his hand cupping my cheek. ‘It’s just… us, here and now. Before the world might tear us apart.’

His words struck a chord deep within me, easing some of the doubt that had clouded my mind. This moment was ours, isolated from the uncertainties of the future.

I nodded slowly, my heart pounding as I reached for his shirt and slowly unbuttoned it, revealing the expanse of his chest. I pushed the fabric from his shoulders, and he shrugged out of it, letting it fall to the floor. As he leaned in to kiss me again, I let myself be swept away by the passion of the moment, choosing to live in the now, if only for tonight.

Piece by piece, we shed our remaining clothes, driven by the urgency of our need. When I finally lay entirely exposed beneath him, he lowered his lips to my collarbone, tracing a path of fire across it. His fingers brushed against my skin, sending electric sparks wherever they roamed. I arched into him, every nerve ending alive with sensation, craving more of his touch, his closeness. He moved with patience, his hands and lips worshipping every inch of me.

The intensity between us grew with every caress, every kiss, our breaths mingling in a symphony of desire. When we finally came together, the connection between us deepened, the physical merging with the emotional as we finally found our release in each other’s arms.

We lay there afterward, wrapped in the warmth of each other. I traced lazy patterns on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath.

‘No matter your decision, I’ll always be grateful for you,’ William said then, his eyes reflecting the fire’s light and something deeper, something absolute.

My breath hitched, my chest filling with the weight of his words. I reached up and stroked his cheek, my fingers shaking as I fought to stay composed, the tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. William leaned in, capturing my lips in another kiss, his arms tightening around me as if he could never let go. And I knew, feeling the truth of it deep in my bones, that this was where I belonged.

24 | i’ll bring you hell

CARA

The sun was nearing the horizon, casting my bedroom in a golden hue as Olivia carefully twisted my hair into an elegant updo, leaving the front locks down to frame my face. Tonight was the gala, and she had come over to help me get ready. Her fingers moved deftly, securing each strand with delicate precision, her concentration unwavering.

‘Livy, wow,’ I said, my eyebrows climbing higher as I watched her work. ‘You were so right. Hair up is the way to go.’

She grinned at me in the mirror. ‘Right?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

‘Especially with that gorgeous back on your dress. It’d be a crime to let your hair cover it up.’

As she added another pin to my hair, the intercom rang, its sharp chime sending my heart to my throat. It had to be William.

‘Greetings,’ Jason answered, his voice carrying down the hall.

‘Good evening, wanker.’ William’s voice crackled through the speaker, laced with amusement. I bit my lip, feeling a surge of nervousness at the sound.

‘Did you forget your keys?’ Jason asked.

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