Hailee’s POV
I woke up to the soft sound of Nathan’s breathing against my ear. His warm chest rose and fell under my cheek, steady and comforting. Slowly, I lifted my face from his bare chest and stared at him. The morning light slipping through the curtains touched his features—sharp jawline, straight nose, and those lips that had stolen more than just my breath last night. His black hair was a perfect ss, falling over his forehead in a way that made him look both dangerous and beautiful. I loved him. I knew it in my bones. But then his words from last night echoed in my head in a way that both thrilled and scared . A sigh escaped my lips. If only I could tell you the whole truth, Nathan... But I couldn’t. Not yet.
Just then, my phone vibrated against the nightstand, making flinch. I reached over quickly so it wouldn’t wake him, and the screen lit up with a ssage from Peter.
Peter: I’m coming tonight to bring you back ho.
My heart thudded painfully in my chest. My gaze slowly returned to Nathan’s sleeping face. His arm was still draped over , as if even in his dreams he refused to let go. I couldn’t help but wonder... What will he do when he finds out I am gone? Swallowing hard, I slowly tried to slip out of his arms, but that simple act woke him. His lashes fluttered, and then those deep eyes—still heavy with sleep—found .
"Where are you going?" His voice was rough, low... the kind of sound that sent shivers through my entire being.
"I... uh..." My throat felt tight. I couldn’t look at him for too long, afraid he might read the truth in my eyes. "Just... to the bathroom."
His gaze lingered on , searching, as if weighing whether to believe . He reached out and caught my wrist before I could move farther. "Stay a little longer," he murmured, pulling back toward the warmth of his chest.
My heart squeezed painfully. Every second in his arms felt like a stolen mont. It was precious, but slipping through my fingers. Peter will be here tonight... I can’t let Nathan know.
I let him hold , my face buried in his chest, listening to the slow, steady rhythm of his heart. It felt like ho. And the thought of leaving it... was unbearable.
"How are you feeling this morning?" he asked slowly as his hand began to stroke my hair. I swallowed hard, as I didn’t know how to respond to him. There were so many feelings bubbling inside .
"I’m fine... but I have to go ho... my mother wants back," I lied.
Nathan released a frustrated sigh. "Why don’t you tell her you’re with ? That you’re safe, happy... here."
I forced a small smile, even as my chest felt painfully tight. "She’ll be so mad, Nathan... rember, I didn’t spend the night at ho."
His hand stilled in my hair, and I felt his gaze on , heavy and searching. "Then make it simple, Hailee. Stay." His voice carried a quiet possession that made shiver.
I shook my head slightly, trying to pull away again, but he caught my chin gently, making look at him. "What’s really going on?" he asked, his tone low, almost pleading.
The lump in my throat threatened to choke . I wanted to tell him everything about Peter, about why I’d been hiding the truth—but the words wouldn’t co. I was afraid of what they might do to him... to us.
So I forced another lie. "I just... promised her I’d help with sothing important."
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t push. Instead, he pulled closer, pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead. "I don’t like this," he murmured. "Feels like you’re slipping away from ."
I closed my eyes, my fingers curling into his skin as if I could sohow anchor myself to him. If only you knew how right you are.
Slowly, he let go of and I pulled away from his arms. We were both still naked. I went for my clothes on the floor, but Nathan’s hand closed gently yet firmly around my wrist before I could reach for them. His gaze swept over , lingering in a way that made my skin flush all over again.
"As much as I love my scent all over you," his voice was deep, almost rough with possessiveness, "you need a bath." His lips curved faintly. "So let’s bathe... together."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he had already stepped closer. The mont I tried to move, a faint ache hit deep and low. My breath caught, and I instinctively slowed.
His eyes narrowed instantly, catching the small wince I hadn’t ant to show. "You’re sore," he said quietly, more observation than question. His jaw tightened, and sothing in his gaze softened. "Co here."
Without another word, he scooped into his arms, cradling like I weighed nothing. I wanted to argue, to tell him I could walk, but the warmth of his embrace and the steady beat of his heart against my ear silenced .
The bathroom filled with the faint sound of running water as he set gently down beside the wide bathtub. Steam curled into the air as he tested the temperature before lifting in.
The warm water enveloped instantly, easing the ache in my muscles. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
Nathan stepped in behind , settling down so that my back rested against his chest. His arms wrapped securely around my waist, holding in place as if he feared I might drift away.
I tilted my head back onto his shoulder, my eyes fluttering shut. His scent, mixed with the steam and the faint soap in the air, wrapped around like a second skin.
He pressed a soft kiss to the side of my neck. "Better?"
I swallowed, my voice barely a whisper. "Yeah... better."
But deep down, the ache in my chest was worse than the one in my body, because I knew this might be one of the last monts I’d have like this.
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