Page 93 of Divine Obsession

My heart swelled, and I felt a smile spread across my face. “I love it.”

His grin widened, and he pulled me closer, his arm wrapping around my shoulders as we found a spot on the grass. “How’s this for a first date?”

I laughed, holding onto his biceps. “Great.”

Trevor took his varsity jacket off, throwing it over the grass so we could use it as a blanket. We settled in, the food in front of us, the city skyline peeking through the trees above.

When the opening credits began to roll, I leaned into him, the warmth of his body grounding me in the moment. “Sleepless in Seattle? Good choice.”

“A classic.”

Under the golden city stars, with Trevor by my side, everything felt…Right.

I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.

The quiet hum filled the space between us as the elevator ascended to Trevor’s condo in SoHo, off campus. It was around midnight. The movie had ended a while ago, but the warmth of the night lingered in my skin, the memory of his hand in mine as he drove us here keeping me light. I leaned against him, his arms around me, his varsity jacket hanging loosely off my shoulders – the unspoken intimacy between us, undeniable.

When the elevator doors slid open, he guided me inside with a gentle hand on the small of my back. His place was fancy; sleek, dark and masculine but welcoming. The golden city lights outside the window cast soft patterns across the walls.

Trevor set down our sports bags in the living room as I shrugged off his jacket. Looking back up, I caught his eyes on me; holding that same smoldering intensity from earlier, but now, it was tempered with a softness that always seemed to catch me off guard.

Blushing, I looked away, my eyes catching the pitch-black hallway probably leading to his bedroom. The all-consuming darkness sent a shiver down my spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake.I hated the dark.

“I could sleep with you tonight,” Trevor’s smooth voice brought me back, making me realize he was now standing rightin front of me. Taking a step closer, his fingers brushed lightly down my arm, helping me relax. “Hold you tight in my arms all night.” Leaning in, he whispered, kissing my neck, “Make sure no monsters come crawling from underneath the bed.”

I couldn’t help but smile, lifting my shoulder when his kiss lingered. “Maybe I’ll let you,” I replied, my tone teasing, though my heart beat faster at the thought of it. I ran a manicured finger down his chest. “Though, I think the only monster I got to worry about grabbing me in the middle of the night, is you…”

He chuckled softly, pulling me gently into him by the waist, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. I bit my lip when he leaned his forehead against mine. For a moment, we just stood there, wrapped in the quiet comfort of each other.

“You always this difficult to convince?” He murmured teasingly, his lips brushing against mine; his hands going underneath my shirt, squeezing my waist.

“Only when it comes to you,” I whispered back, my sharp nails digging into his large biceps.

Trevor tilted his head, capturing my lips in a kiss –wet, slow, deep– filled with all the promises the night held. The city outside seemed to fade away, leaving only us, wrapped in each other. When he picked me upeffortlessly, holding me up with one arm only, I wrapped my legs around his hips, and my hands around his neck.Not once breaking the kiss.

As he carried me to his bedroom, the world beyond those walls ceased to matter.

For the first time in my life, I felt truly safe in the dark.

Here.

In his arms.

With his heart beating steady against mine.

I felt safe.

Chapter 22

Present

The soft glow of the golden city lights poured through my bedroom windows, while the soft hum of my playlist filled the air, blending with the faint scent of my favorite vanilla candles. I stood in front of my wardrobe mirror, fixing my dress – a light pink that hugged my curves, yet was appropriate enough for the event. The light caught the diamonds around my neck as I leaned closer to touch up my lip-gloss.

I felt him before I saw him.

My eyes flicked in the mirror, catching the unmistakable huge silhouette leaning casually against the doorframe.

“Trevor,” I whispered, spinning around to face him, my voice equal parts surprise and exasperation.

---