Page 59 of Crowned

“I’mmanagingher,” I correct. “It’s risky, but it’s better than doing nothing. We can use this to our advantage, Vance. Please, trust me on this.”

He lets out a sharp breath, pacing the room as he processes my words. “I don’t like it,” he mutters. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“I know,” I say softly, stepping closer. “But it’s the only option we have right now. And I need you to believe in me. Please.”

He stops pacing, turning to face me. The anger in his eyes has dimmed, replaced by something heavier – concern. “I do,” he says finally, his voice low. “I just...I don’t want to lose you.”

The raw honesty in his words makes my chest tighten. Without thinking, I step closer, placing a hand on his arm. “You won’t.”

For a moment, we just stand there, the air between us thick with unspoken emotions. Then, before I can second-guess myself, I lean up and press my lips to his.

The kiss is deeper this time, more certain, and he responds almost instantly, his hands coming up to cup my face. There’s a desperation in the way he kisses me, as though he’s trying to anchor himself, to hold onto something real amidst the chaos.

I sink into him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as the rest of the world fades away. The tension that’s been building between us finally breaks, and for the first time in days, I feel like I can breathe.

When we finally pull apart, his forehead rests lightly against mine, his breath warm against my skin.

“Malia,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion.

“I’m here,” I whisper, brushing my fingers along his jaw. “I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time since we returned, I feel something stir within me.

Vance’s hands linger on my face, his thumbs brushing gently against my cheeks as if he’s memorising every detail. The way he looks at me – like I’m the only thing anchoring him in this storm – sends a shiver down my spine. His lips part, as if he’s about to say something, but instead, he kisses me again, slower this time, deeper.

The tension between us melts away, replaced by something far more vulnerable and intimate. His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. My fingers tangle in his hair, the soft strands slipping through my grip as he kisses me like he’s afraid this moment might be stolen away.

“Are you sure?” he whispers against my lips, his voice barely audible but carrying the weight of the question.

I nod, my heart racing. “I’m sure.”

He exhales softly, his breath warm against my skin as he presses another kiss to the corner of my mouth, then to my jaw, trailing a path down to the hollow of my throat. My head tilts back instinctively, giving him access, and I can’t help the small sigh that escapes me.

He pauses, his forehead resting against my shoulder, his breathing uneven. “I don’t want to rush this,” he murmurs, his hands tightening slightly at my waist. “But you make it so hard to think clearly.”

“You’re overthinking,” I reply, smiling, despite the heat pooling in my chest. “Stop for once, just feel.”

His head lifts, his dark eyes locking onto mine. Whatever restraint he’s been clinging to crumbles as he kisses me again, his lips urgent and consuming. The room feels smaller, the air warmer, and the soft hum of magic around us makes everything more intense, more alive.

I reach for the buttons of his shirt, my hands trembling slightly as I undo them one by one. His skin is warm beneath my touch, his muscles tensing as I slide my palms over his chest.

“Malia,” he groans, the sound rough and low, sending a thrill through me.

“Vance,” I whisper, his name a plea as I pull him closer.

He lifts me effortlessly, carrying me toward the small sofa by the hearth. The fire crackles faintly, casting a golden glow over the room as he sets me down gently, his body hovering over mine. His touch is everywhere – his hands mapping the curve of my hips, the line of my thighs, as if committing every inch of me to memory.

Every kiss, every touch feels deliberate, as though he’s savouring this moment, refusing to let it slip away too quickly. My heart pounds in time with his, the rhythm of our breaths tangling together as the world outside fades entirely.

“Tell me if it’s too much,” he says softly, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers across my skin.

“It’s not,” I reply, my hands sliding over his shoulders. “I want this. I want you.”

His lips curve into the faintest smile before he kisses me again, his movements unhurried yet filled with intent. The weight of his body against mine, the warmth of his skin, the way he whispers my name like a promise – it all feels right.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself be completely present, my worries and fears melting away under his touch. It’s just us, here in this moment, and I cling to that with everything I have.

Vance’s touch becomes more assured as he takes his time, trailing his lips along the curve of my collarbone. Every movement is deliberate, as though he’s afraid to rush or miss even the smallest detail. His fingers graze over the hem of my t-shirt, pausing to meet my eyes in a silent question.

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