Andrew POV:
After dinner, everyone else headed back to the apartments, but Mika and I decided to stay out a little longer. The night air was warm, and the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore had this calming rhythm to them. The moon hung low, casting a silvery glow over everything, making the sand and water look almost magical. We didn't need to talk much, just strolled along the shoreline, listening to the ocean and the occasional laughter of distant voices fading away.
Eventually, we found an old wooden bench that faced the water. It was a little worn down, the wood weathered and bleached by the sun, but somehow, it looked inviting. We sat down, and after a few moments, Mika leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close. Her breathing started to slow, and when I looked down, I realized she'd drifted off, her face relaxed in the softest smile.
I let her sleep for a little while, my arm around her as I watched the waves catch the moonlight. I couldn't help but think about how perfect it felt just having her close.
After a while, though, I knew we couldn't stay out here all night. I shifted slightly, trying not to wake her, and carefully slid my arm under her knees, lifting her into my arms. I carried her back along the quiet path to our apartment.
Once inside, I gently laid her down on the bed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. As soon as her head touched the pillow, her eyes opened, blinking sleepily as she took in the room.
"Wait... you carried me all the way back?" she asked, her voice a little groggy but smiling.
I shrugged, trying to act casual. "Didn't want to wake you up. You looked pretty comfortable."
She stretched, still half-asleep but clearly touched. "Thank you," she said softly, with that little smile that always got me.
"No problem," I replied, sitting beside her. "You know, you're a lot lighter than you make it seem."
She gave me a playful glare, nudging me. "I was asleep! That doesn't count."
"Sure, sure," I teased, leaning back a bit, happy to see her smiling.
Then Mika relaxed back onto the bed, her eyes still a little hazy from sleep. I leaned on one elbow beside her, grinning as she adjusted to being awake. She glanced over, catching the look on my face and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked, a smirk starting to play at her lips.
"Oh, nothing," I replied, trying to keep my voice nonchalant. "Just wondering if I should make a habit out of carrying you around."
She laughed softly, rolling her eyes. "Well, if you're offering..."
I leaned in a little closer, lowering my voice. "Don't tempt me. I just might."
She looked up at me, her face still flushed from the warmth of sleep, and for a moment, there was a quiet ease between us. But then, her face turned mischievous.
"Next time, though, maybe let me walk?" she teased, tugging gently at the sleeve of my shirt. "I don't want you getting used to doing all the heavy lifting."
I feigned hurt, clutching my chest. "Are you saying I'm weak?"
"Oh no, you're plenty strong," she said, her voice dropping playfully. "Just don't want you getting too comfortable."
"Oh, I'm comfortable, alright," I said, leaning in just enough that I could see her cheeks blush faintly. "In fact, I think I've earned a little rest myself, don't you think?"
She tilted her head, clearly trying to figure out what I meant. "A little rest...?"
Before she could say more, I lay back beside her, gently pulling her down with me until we were both lying side by side. I wrapped my arms around her and she gave me a look, like she was pretending to be annoyed, but her smile gave her away.
"Andrew, if you wanted to cuddle with me, you could've just asked," she teased.
"Well, maybe I thought you might say no," I replied, reaching over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You know, keep me on my toes."
She laughed softly, settling comfortably against me. "Lucky for you, I'm too tired to argue."
"Oh, I won't let you forget this," I said, grinning.
For a moment, we lay there in silence, my head resting lightly under her chest. The only sound in the room was our breathing, in sync. After a while, she shifted, glancing up at me.
"You know," she started, her voice soft, "I wasn't expecting all this."
"All this?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Yeah," she replied, biting her lip thoughtfully. "I thought you were more of an asshole."
I burst out laughing, caught completely off guard. "An asshole? Really?"
She nodded, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Yeah. You had this... I don't know, this confident, smooth-talking vibe that just screamed trouble. I thought you'd be all charm and no substance."
I pretended to be offended, clutching my chest. "Wow, I had no idea I gave off such an intimidating impression."
She nudged me playfully. "Oh, you did. But I guess I was wrong."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling curious. "And what changed your mind?"
She looked down, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "I don't know... maybe when I realized you could actually be thoughtful, not just charming. Like tonight. And every time you've been there for me when I needed it."
I couldn't help but grin, feeling a rush of warmth at her words. "I'm glad I could prove you wrong."
"Yeah," she said, giving me a softer smile. "Me too."
We lay there in silence for a moment, the honesty of her words lingering in the air. Finally, I broke the quiet, leaning closer with a smirk. "But for the record... I still think you liked me, even when you thought I was an 'asshole.'"
She rolled her eyes, laughing. "Okay, don't push your luck."
I chuckled, reaching out to take her hand, my fingers lacing through hers. "Noted."
Miles POV:
We got back to the apartment around 11 p.m. after dinner, and as Blaise set her bag down, a realization hit me like a truckâwe only had one bed. I felt the awkwardness settle thickly between us, and I cleared my throat, glancing at her and then at the bed like it might magically split itself in half.
Blaise crossed her arms, her gaze flitting around the room, clearly thinking the same thing. "So... uh, there's only one bed," I finally said, stating the painfully obvious.
"Yeah... I noticed that," she replied, her voice quiet. She looked up at me, her expression guarded, like she was already preparing to escape to the farthest edge of the mattress.
I rubbed the back of my neck. "I can just sleep on the ground. It's not a big deal."
Blaise shook her head quickly. "No, it's fine. We can just... share. It's big enough." She was already turning away as she spoke, busying herself with pulling back the covers on her side of the bed.
I watched her for a moment, wondering if there was anything I could say to make this less awkward, but nothing came to mind. Instead, I just nodded, muttering, "Okay, yeah... if you're cool with that."
She gave a tight smile, barely looking up as she climbed into bed and turned her back to me, pulling the covers up to her shoulders. She clearly wasn't going to make this any more of a conversation than it already was, and honestly, I couldn't blame her.
I slipped into the other side, careful to stay as far over as possible. The mattress felt huge, but somehow, the space between us seemed way too small. I tried not to focus on it, tried to think about anything else, but I could feel the warmth from her side of the bed, her breathing, slow and steady, and suddenly, every movement felt magnified.
I lay there in the silence, trying not to think about how surreal this was. Just yesterday, she was barely talking to me, and now we were in the same bed. It was supposed to be a practical arrangement, just a little favor to keep Aunt Didi convinced, but right now it felt like anything but practical.
For a while, neither of us said a word. I couldn't tell if she'd fallen asleep or if she was just as wide awake as I was, staring at the wall. But finally, the quiet settled around us, the hum of the city outside filling the room, and I found myself drifting, despite the strange tension that lingered.
"Goodnight Maddie." I murmured with a sarcastic tone. But she was already asleep.
Bose POV:
Chapa and I sat in the car outside my stepdad's house. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, staring straight ahead, even though there was nothing to see except the perfectly maintained driveway. My mind was buzzing with thoughts, but my body felt heavy with exhaustion. The weight of the past few days hung over me like a dark cloud.
I glanced at Chapa. She was staring out the window, calm as ever. Her ability to stay composed in moments like this was something I admiredâand envied.
"What's up?" she asked, turning her head to look at me.
I sighed, leaning back in my seat. "I'm just tired. Tired of all the drama, the chaos. It feels like it never stops."
She nodded, understanding immediately. "Then stop caring about the things that don't deserve your energy. Focus on what matters." Her voice was steady, as if she'd solved the world's most complicated puzzle. She made it sound so simple.
I smiled faintly. "You make it sound easy."
"It is, if you stop overthinking."
Her confidence grounded me in a way I hadn't expected. I didn't reply, just gave a small nod and turned the car off. The suitcases in the back reminded me that after this, we'd be heading to the Man's Nest for the next few days. I wasn't sure if it would feel like a break or just another obligation, but at least it wouldn't be here.
We walked to the front door, and a new maid opened it, leading us to one of the living rooms. The warmth from the fire greeted us, and I immediately spotted my mom sitting on the couch, sipping tea. She smiled when she saw us and stood up to greet us with a hug.
"Hi, sweetheart," she said, pulling me into a familiar embrace before turning to Chapa and giving her the same treatment.
"Hi, Mom," I said as I pulled away. "Where's he? Has he seen the video?"
She sighed but nodded. "Yes, he's seen it."
I stiffened, bracing myself. "And?"
"To be honest, Bose, I think you did the right thing," she said, her voice steady but kind. Her reassurance lifted a weight off my chest.
Before I could respond, my stepdad walked into the room. His presence always seemed to fill the space, but this time, his face was unreadable. His eyes flicked to me for a brief moment before settling on Chapa.
"You," he said, his voice calm but firm, "come with me."
I immediately stepped forward. "She's not going anywhere with you."
Chapa placed a hand on my arm. "It's okay," she said calmly.
"Are you sure?" I asked, lowering my voice as I turned to her.
She nodded. "I can handle it."
My jaw tightened, but I relented, watching her walk away with him. I knew she was strong, capable of holding her own, but I couldn't shake the unease twisting in my stomach. I stayed rooted in place, my eyes fixed on the door they'd disappeared through.
My mom's voice broke the tense silence after Chapa and my stepdad disappeared down the hallway. "So... you wanted to talk with me about something?" she asked gently, her tone laced with curiosity and concern.
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. I'd texted her earlier, asking for this conversation, but now that it was here, the words seemed to lodge themselves in my chest. I looked down at my hands, fidgeting with a loose thread on my jacket sleeve, and tried to start.
"Iâuh..." I hesitated, running a hand through my hair. "It's about...my birth dad."
Her face softened, but she didn't say anything, waiting for me to continue.
"I've been wanting to...talk about him for a while, and, um..." My words stumbled over each other. "I found out some things recently. About him. And I thought you should know too."
She nodded, her expression encouraging but quiet.
Taking a deep breath, I finally just said it. "He passed away." The words fell heavily into the room, like a stone sinking into still water. "A while ago. IâI found out how."
My mom froze, her body going still as her hands clenched slightly on her lap. She turned away from me, her back to the fire. I couldn't see her face, but I heard her breathing change.
"Mom?" I asked cautiously. "Are you okay?"
She didn't respond, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"I'm sorry," I said softly, my voice almost breaking. "I didn't mean to upset you by telling you this. I just... I thought you should know."
She shook her head, and I heard the faintest sound of a stifled sob. A moment later, she turned back to me, her eyes shut tightly. Then, as if gathering all her strength, she opened them again and reached for my hands.
"I'm sorry, Bose," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so, so sorry. It shouldn't have been this way."
I squeezed her hands gently. "It's okay, Mom. I'm fine with it now. I've accepted it."
She shook her head, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. I reached up and wiped them away, but the more I tried, the harder she cried. Finally, I pulled her into a hug, resting my chin on her shoulder. Her sobs were quiet but heavy, and even though I tried to hold it back, a single tear escaped down my cheek.
She pulled back slightly, her hands still on my arms. "Your father," she began, her voice trembling, "he was a great man. He...he wanted to be there for you so badly. He loved you so much."
I nodded. "I heard that from his brother, Edoardo, my uncle. I met him recently."
Her lips wobbled into a faint smile. "You've grown so much, Bose," she said softly. "You've been through so much, and yet here you are." She looked down, as if searching for words. "I owe you so much. For everything."
I shook my head immediately. "You don't owe me anything, Mom."
Her grip on my hands tightened, and she smiled through her tears. "I'm proud of you, Bose. So proud."
I smiled back at her, though my chest felt tight with emotions I wasn't sure how to express. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of closureânot just for myself but for her too.
Chapa POV:
The room was suffocating in its grandeurâa massive table dominated the space, surrounded by shelves stacked with books that likely hadn't been touched in years. I'd never been in this room before, and it reeked of formality and control. Bose's stepdad stood by the head of the table, his posture stiff, his gaze sharp.
"I need you to break up with him," he said, his words cutting through the silence like a knife.
"What?" I nearly shouted, my voice echoing in the room. "Are you serious? Why would you even say that?"
His expression didn't falter. "Because bad things keep happening to him which ruin his reputation. And it's all because of you."
Frustration flared up inside me, my fists clenching at my sides. "For the billionth time," I snapped, "Bose is old enough to make his own decisions. He doesn't need your control."
He gave me a condescending look, like he was dealing with a petulant child. "He's still a child, Chapa. He's dumb, reckless, and doesn't know how to live properly."
My blood boiled. "That's not true," I said firmly. "But you know what? That would be the case if you keep controlling every part of his life. He'll never learn to live on his own if you treat him like he's incapable. Bose is more than mature enough to handle himself these days, and you know it."
Instead of responding, he reached for a drawer and pulled out an envelope, placing it deliberately on the table in front of me. "Five hundred thousand dollars," he said coolly. "It's yours if you break up with him."
I blinked at him, momentarily stunned, then laughed bitterly. "You really think you can buy me off? And for that little?"
His calm demeanor faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained it. "A million," he said, pulling out another envelope and placing it next to the first.
This time, I couldn't stop myself. I grabbed the envelopes and walked up to him, meeting his smug smile with my own. "You're unbelievable," I said. Then, without hesitation, I slapped him across the face with the envelopes, the sound sharp and satisfying. The money scattered to the floor as his face turned red with anger.
"You can offer me all the money in the world," I said, my voice steady, "but nothing will ever come close to what Bose is worth."
I turned on my heel and stormed out of the room, my heart pounding. As I entered the living room, Bose's mom looked up from the couch with a warm smile, but Bose immediately stood, his expression concerned.
"What happened?" he asked, his tone tense. "What did he say to you?"
I didn't want to tell him. I didn't want to burden him with this, to add to the chaos and frustration already weighing on him. "Nothing," I said lightly, shaking my head. "I'm just done seeing his face for now."
Then his stepfather came in. "You sure? You do know I'm the mayor of Swellview," he added.
I smirked. "Finally, an advantage to living in Rivalton, then."
His mom chuckled softly, and even Bose cracked a smile. I gave his mom a quick hug goodbye before turning back to Bose. "Let's go."
He grabbed the car keys, and we left immediately. As we drove, Bose glanced at me a few times, his curiosity clearly eating at him. "What did he want, Chapa?"
I sighed, leaning back against the seat. "That's a conversation for later," I said.
He nodded, his exhaustion evident. He didn't push further, which I appreciated. The drive to the Man's Nest was quiet, and once we arrived, I practically leapt out of the car and into the familiar space.
I threw myself onto the couch, sinking into it with a sigh. "I missed this thing," I mumbled.
Bose set our suitcases aside and walked over, taking my hands and pulling me up into a hug. His arms wrapped around me tightly, and he pressed a small kiss to my cheek.
Just as I started to relax, the alarm blared through the room.
We both sighed at the exact same time, exchanging a look before bursting into laughter.
"It's only 4 p.m.," I groaned.
"And I'm already done with today," Bose replied, shaking his head as he went to check the alarm.
Bose POV:
The emergency call had sounded straightforward enoughâsomeone with a knife threatening others at Nacho Ball. Chapa and I arrived at the scene, adrenaline coursing through us, ready for anything. Except, when we got there, nothing seemed out of place. No screaming customers, no panic, and certainly no one waving a knife around.
Chapa glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "Are we sure this is the right Nacho Ball?"
I double-checked the coordinates on my smartwatch. "It's the right one," I said, scanning the room.
We approached the counter, asking the workers if they'd seen anyone acting suspicious. They shook their heads, looking just as confused as we were.
"That's weird," Chapa muttered, her eyes narrowing as she glanced around the restaurant.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw himâa man creeping up behind Chapa, a glint of steel in his hand. My body reacted before my brain could process. I lunged forward, grabbing his wrist just as he was about to strike her.
"Chapa, move!" I shouted, shoving her out of harm's way.
The man turned his attention to me, slashing wildly with the knife. I dodged his attacks, my heart racing, and managed to land a kick to his side. The knife flew from his hand, clattering to the floor.
Before I could catch my breath, he pulled out another knifeâno, knives. A handful of them, one in each hand.
"Seriously?" I muttered, stepping back as Chapa joined me.
"This guy's prepared," she said, her voice tense.
"Get everyone out of here," I told her, not taking my eyes off the man.
"I'll handle the evacuation," she said, already moving toward the customers.
The man and I squared off, his knives gleaming under the fluorescent lights. I fired a few laser blasts from my hands, hoping to disarm him, but he was fast. He blocked every single shot, sending some of them ricocheting back toward me.
"Can you do anything other than throw knives?" I taunted, trying to keep his focus on me.
He smirked, tucking the knives away. "You wanna find out?"
Now it was a fistfight. He came at me with quick, calculated punches, and for the most part, I held my ground. But he was skilledâtoo skilled. A few of his punches landed, and one knocked me off balance.
Before I knew it, he had me pinned to the ground, reaching for his knife again. I twisted just in time to avoid a direct stab, but the blade grazed my back. Pain shot through me, and I groaned, kicking him off with all the strength I had left.
Summoning my remaining energy, I fired a concentrated blast that sent him flying. He hit the pavement hard, the knives scattering around him. I staggered to my feet, my vision blurring, and saw Chapa return in her uniform.
She quickly subdued the man and called the police, instructing them to take him into custody. Then, she turned her attention to me.
"Bose!" she shouted, running to my side as I collapsed. I felt her arms around me, dragging me toward the tubes. The last thing I remembered before passing out was her worried voice calling my real name.
---
When I opened my eyes, I was in the Man's Nest, slumped in a chair. Chapa was kneeling in front of me, her hands working quickly to clean the wound on my back. My suit was unzipped and hanging off my waist, leaving me bare from the chest up.
"Finally, you're awake," she said, her tone both relieved and frustrated. "You dummy, why didn't you use your powers to finish him off immediately?"
"I... don't know," I admitted weakly, wincing as she dabbed at the wound.
She sighed, shaking her head. "You're lucky it's not deep. It's long, though. Stay still."
I groaned as she continued cleaning the cut. "Is it bad?"
"You'll live," she said, her voice softer now. "But you're not invincible, Bose. Stop acting like you are."
When she finished bandaging me, she pulled off her gloves and mask, her hair a bit messier than usual. She looked so good.
"Let's take a shower and call it a day," she said, standing up.
I hesitated, remembering something. "Wait," I said. "What did my stepdad want from you this afternoon?"
Her expression darkened slightly. "He asked me to break up with you," she said slowly.
I shot up from the chair despite the pain in my back. "What? Why?"
She hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "He said I bring too much trouble into your life and even offered me money to leave you. A lot of money."
"How much?" I asked, still reeling.
"One million," she said quietly.
I stared at her, stunned. "Did you take it?"
She gave me a look that could have burned a hole through steel. "What do you think? Of course not."
I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry... thank you."
She stepped closer, her voice firm but teasing. "It's crazy that you even asked that. You should know by now that no amount of money could ever come close to your worth."
I felt my chest tighten at her words. She traced a heart shape on my bare chest with her finger, and I couldn't help but smirk.
"You've gotten so romantic lately," I teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Maybe it's because you're slacking on the romance, and I have to pick up the slack."
"Excuse me?" I said, mock-offended.
"Don't 'excuse me' me," she shot back, stepping a little closer. "You've been slacking, and I've had to make up for it."
The playful tone in her voice made me grin, but something about the way she stood thereâconfident yet soft, teasing yet sincereâstirred something in me. "Alright, fine," I said, taking a step closer to her. "Let me fix that right now."
Before she could respond, I leaned down and kissed her. It started slow, a soft brush of my lips against hers, but the moment she tilted her head and leaned into me, I deepened it. My hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer, and her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging gently.
She pulled back for a moment, her breathing uneven. "Bose, your back..."
"I'll survive," I murmured, my lips grazing her jawline as I spoke. "Let me have this."
Her breath hitched when I kissed her neck, my lips lingering against her skin. "You're impossible," she muttered, but I could feel the smile tugging at her lips even as she tilted her head to give me better access.
I didn't stop. I kissed her collarbone, the curve of her neck, the soft skin just below her ear. Her hands slid from my shoulders down to my chest, her fingertips brushing against my skin. The way she touched me, the way she leaned into meâit felt like she was letting go of everything, just like I was.
Without thinking, I lifted her into my arms. She gasped, her arms wrapping around my neck instinctively. "Bose! What are you doing?"
"Making up for lost time," I said with a grin, carrying her out of the room.
We wandered through the halls of the Man's Nest until I found a room at random. I pushed the door open with my foot, and the sight of sushi bar tables and counters greeted us. I set her down on the counter gently, and she looked around, laughing softly.
"Seriously? Out of all the rooms, you picked this one?"
I shrugged, my hands still resting on her waist. "What? Tiny Ray hates sushi. We won't get interrupted."
She shook her head, laughing again. "You're ridiculous."
I leaned in and kissed her again. This time, she didn't stop me. Her hands found their way to my hair again, pulling me closer, and I couldn't get enough of her. My kisses trailed from her lips to her jaw, then down to her collarbone, where I lingered. I let my hands wander, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my touch.
Her breath hitched when my lips brushed the curve of her shoulder. "Bose..." she whispered, her voice soft and hesitant.
I pulled back just enough to look at her. "What?"
"You don't have to do all this just because of what I said earlier," she said, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her vulnerability.
I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'm not doing this because I have to. I'm doing this because I want to. You deserve it."
Her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue. Instead, she leaned in closer, her fingers trailing lightly over the fabric of my suit where it hung loosely around my waist. Her touch was deliberate, unhurried, like she was taking her time to memorize every detail of this moment.
"You know," she began, her voice soft but with a teasing edge, "for someone who claims to be romantic, you're not giving me much to work with when you're half-dressed like this."
I chuckled, brushing her hair back from her face. "Maybe I was waiting for you to take it off."
Her lips twitched into a sly smile, her hands sliding to the zipper at my waist. "Is that so?"
"Mm-hm," I murmured, my gaze locked on hers.
She tugged the zipper down slowly, her eyes never leaving mine. The sound of the fabric parting filled the silence, and my pulse quickened with every inch the suit gave way. She let it slide down my legs, leaving me standing there, bare except for my boxers. Her fingers brushed lightly over my hips as she straightened up, and I couldn't help the small intake of breath that escaped me.
Her gaze flickered down for a moment before she looked back up at me, her cheeks slightly flushed. "You're not shy, are you?"
"Not with you," I said, my voice low, my hands resting on her waist.
Her hands moved up my chest, her touch warm and lingering. I could feel the weight of her gaze, the way she was taking me in, and it made my heart race in a way I hadn't expected.
"Good," she said softly, leaning in to press a kiss to my shoulder, then another to the center of my chest. Each kiss sent a jolt of warmth through me, and I closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself get lost in the feel of her.
When she pulled back, she reached for the zipper of her own suit. I caught her wrist gently, meeting her questioning gaze.
"Let me," I said, my voice quieter now.
She hesitated for a moment, then dropped her hands to her sides, giving me the faintest nod. I started at her collarbone, carefully pulling the zipper down, the fabric parting to reveal more of her skin. My fingers brushed against her as I worked the zipper lower, and I could feel her shiver under my touch.
When the suit was fully unzipped, I let it slide off her shoulders, revealing the soft curves of her body beneath. I paused for a moment, just looking at her, taking in how beautiful she was. She shifted slightly under my gaze, her cheeks pink.
"Are you just going to stand there, or...?" she teased, though her voice was quieter now, almost shy.
I stepped closer, my hands sliding to her hips as I leaned in to kiss her again. This time, it was slower, deeper, and I could feel the tension between us melt away. My hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, her fingers threading through my hair as she kissed me back with just as much intensity.
Her breathing quickened as my lips trailed down her neck, over her collarbone, and lower. I wanted to take my time, to show her how much she meant to me, to make her feel as cherished as she deserved to be.
I could feel my heart pounding, my chest rising and falling with every deep breath. Sweat was dripping down my face, and I could feel it stinging my eyes, but I didn't care. My muscles were sore from everything that had happened today, but the warmth of her skin against mine made me forget it. .
I was breathing heavily, each breath coming faster. It was just usâher warmth, her breath, and the rhythmic connection between us. It felt like we were in heaven.
"Bose..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the way she said my name sent a rush of warmth through me.
"Yeah?" I murmured, pausing for a moment to meet her gaze.
She looked at me, her eyes soft and full of something I couldn't quite put into words. "Nothing," she said with a small smile. "Just... don't stop."
And I didn't.