Evaline:
The words had barely slipped past my lips when silence stretched thick between us.
"Because you left behind earlier."
My voice sounded too thin, too fragile, and the second it hung in the air, I wanted to snatch it back.
River stared at , his face a picture of confusion, surprise, and sothing close to disbelief. His lips parted like he had sothing ready, but then he hesitated. Instead, he let out a long, weary sigh that seed to fill the room.
He leaned back slightly, his sharp gaze fixing on . "You an... earlier? When I ca to here on my own and didn’t bring you along?"
The way he said it - careful, deliberate - made heat rush to my cheeks. I gave a small nod, my lips pressing together in embarrassnt.
Another sigh escaped him, this one heavier and tinged with disbelief. He let go of my chin and rubbed his temples, then looked at again, his expression sowhere between exasperation and tenderness. "Evaline... you asked for a month’s leave. Because of that, I thought you wouldn’t be coming to work at all for the next four weeks."
I blinked. That was his reason? That was why he hadn’t even looked back when he left?
My snark returned before I could hold it back. "Why on earth would I use that leave now when I’m completely fine stepping out of the house and working?" My words ca fast, sharp, defensive. "The leave was for when my due date is close, not now."
He stilled and his brows drew together. I could see the exact mont understanding dawned. His jaw softened and his eyes flickered with regret. He gave a slow nod, then sighed again.
"You are right. I should have confird with you before jumping to conclusion." His gaze searched mine carefully, his voice quieter now. "But... is just one month enough? You and I both know it’s far from enough."
The question hit like a pebble in my stomach, sending ripples of unease. Of course one month wasn’t enough. But what choice did I have?
I shrugged, trying to act casual even though the weight of this matter had been pressing down on for days now. "It’s not enough. But I couldn’t possibly demand a six-month leave, could I?" My laugh ca out humorless, brittle. "Would you have even agreed to such a blatant request?"
Before I could look away, his fingers slid beneath my chin once again and he tilted my head up. His touch was gentle but firm, leaving no escape. His deep green eyes burned into mine as he spoke, slow and deliberate.
"I would have agreed, Evaline. No matter what you asked."
I froze. The sincerity in his tone left stunned, speechless. His gaze didn’t waver.
"I would give you anything you wanted," he continued softly, the depth in his voice making butterflies stir wildly in my stomach. "All you need to do is say the word."
My lips parted, but no sound ca out. Sothing about the raw promise in his words made it hard to breathe. The thought of asking for sothing so impossible had felt foolish a mont ago, but now...
I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper. "But... is it even possible? To take such a long break from both work and school?"
His lips curved in a small, knowing smile. "Is there anything I can’t do?" His thumb brushed over my jaw in a soothing sweep. "I’ll take care of everything... for your work and your studies. Leave it to ."
The steady certainty in his voice unraveled the knot of worry that had been gnawing at for so long. I didn’t have to ask twice to know he ant every word. River didn’t make promises lightly. If he said it, he would make it happen.
And just like that, the burden that had been pressing against my ribs loosened. I felt lighter, freer, and before I realized it, my lips curved into a smile. A small one, but genuine and warm. My first real smile since this morning. "Thank you," I murmured softly.
But his expression shifted instantly, a faint scowl pulling at his brow. "That ’thank you’ was insincere." His tone was low, deep, enough to make my pulse skip. "You are thanking like I’m so outsider doing you a favor."
Before I could respond, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my cheek as his voice dropped to a husky whisper. "I’m not an outsider, Evaline. I’m your mate."
The word ’mate’ rolled from his tongue like a command and a promise in one. Hearing it in his deep voice did things to I couldn’t dare put into words. Heat rushed through and my chest tightened.
When I finally spoke, my voice ca out unsteady. "Then... how do you want to thank you?"
The corner of his lips curved slightly with the faintest ghost of a smirk. "Like this."
Before I could even process, his mouth descended on mine.
The kiss wasn’t tentative. It was consuming, toe-curling, and deep enough to steal every coherent thought from my head.
His lips moved against mine with deliberate hunger, coaxing open, claiming, demanding. My hands clutched at his coat as if it was the only thing keeping grounded.
He angled his head, deepening the kiss until I felt like I was drowning in him - his taste, his heat, the way he tilted my chin just so, forcing to yield. Each drag of his lips over mine sent sparks shooting down my spine.
When he finally pulled back just enough to let breathe, his lips trailed along the edge of my jaw, grazing soft kisses down my throat. The contrast of his warmth against the sensitive skin there had tilting my head back, a small gasp escaping before I could stop it.
He lingered at the hollow of my throat, his mouth brushing, sucking lightly, as if he wanted to leave his mark where the world could see.
My pulse raced wildly and body started trembling under the sheer intensity of him.
"River..." I whispered, though it ca out more like a plea than his na.
He humd against my skin, the sound vibrating deliciously along my throat. His lips moved slower now, softer, as if savoring instead of devouring.
Finally, he lifted his head, and before pulling back completely, he pressed the gentlest kiss to my forehead - a soft, feathery promise that made my chest ache in a way nothing else could.
It was so simple, but it made lt.
And for the first ti all day, my anger, my insecurity, my doubts - all of it - slipped away, leaving with nothing but the dizzying warmth of his arms and the knowledge that he was mine.
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