Page 34 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride
“And to drink? A margarita?” I ask Belle.
“Gosh, I don’t think so. A water for now. My head is still spinning happily from all the champagne.”
I turn to the waiter. “A bottle of sparkling water. Thanks.”
The waiter nods and leaves, and I’m alone with the most beautiful girl in the world again.
She looks happy.
Happier than I’ve seen her in a long time.
I can see why she wants to get out more. She comes alive when she's out in the world, exploring, enjoying it, taking in everything it has to offer. And through her, I have a sense of enjoyment, too. Watching her gorgeous smile, watching her eyes drift over the views—it fills me with excitement, too. It makes the view that much more beautiful.
***
We get home at half past one in the morning. The party drinks have worn off, our tummies are full of nachos, and we’re both yawning and relaxed. I walk Belle to her bedroom door. Still, the kiss is on my mind, and I toy with the idea of pushing her into her bedroom, onto her bed, and kissing her again.
But instead, I lean down and kiss her cheek. “Sleep well, little bunny,” I say.
She smiles, scrunching her nose as she says, “You too, Ard,” then backs into her room and quietly closes her door.
I stand there for a moment, fighting with myself, demanding that I turn away and walk to my room. It takes everything inside me to do it.
Exhausted from an amazing night, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. But I dream of her. All night, I dream, then wake, needing her. I fall asleep again and dream again, then wake, and struggle with the desire. The kiss plays over and over in my mind. It haunts me and taunts me, and I’m going crazy, unable to stop it looping in my thoughts.
It goes on for hours, frustrating me, until at half past five in the morning, I climb out of bed, unable to take it any longer.If I go back to sleep, I’ll just dream of her again, and it’ll push me over the edge.
I need coffee.
I’ll watch the sunrise. Maybe I’ll go for a run. But I can’t lie here fighting my own demons anymore.
The house is quiet as I walk downstairs to the kitchen.
I don’t turn any lights on. It’s close to the full moon, so the sky is glowing soft blueish-gray, and the sun will be up in the next two hours, so that early morning glow is beginning to shine.
The house is easy to navigate in this light.
It’s peaceful like this.
I make the coffee, taking deep, slow breaths of the dark, rich aroma as it pours into my mug.
It’s a good feeling to be up before everyone else, but I could have done with a few more hours of sleep. The mug is hot in my hand as I climb the stairs, up to the sunroom to enjoy my coffee in peace and catch the first rays of light as the day starts.
I walk into the sunroom, and I’m about to sit on the sofa when I hear a little giggle. My heart jumps.
“What are you doing awake?” I ask, staring in surprise at Belle, sitting on the sofa with her feet curled beneath her, drinking a cup of tea. Her hair is pulled onto the top of her head in a wild, messy bun. She’s wearing silk shorts and a soft silk cami that flows over her breasts like water. Pink. She looks absolutely gorgeous in pink.
“I couldn’t sleep.” She shrugs. “What about you?”
I sit down across from her, doing my best not to stare. “Same. I was having weird dreams last night.” Imagine if I could tell her what I was dreaming about.
Her.
All night, it’s been her.
“It must have been all the excitement.” Mischief flashes across her face for a second before she takes a sip of tea.
I want to respond. It’s tempting to flirt, to try and charm her, to move closer, but I’m already playing with fire around her.
