Maya

I awoke in Nate's embrace, and for the first time in my life, I didn't dread the dawn, wake up with the regret that I had yet another day to live and somewhat get by. Each new day held meaning now, a significance I had never known before. Having him by my side for the past few years had been comforting, but now... it felt different, knowing he loved me.

God! Words couldn’t ever express the depth of what I felt—they were too profound, too precious to articulate. I just….loved him—that was the word. Yes, ‘love’ was the word.

I couldn't contain my smile as I turned my head slightly to gaze at Nathaniel. He seemed asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around me as he spooned me from behind. His breath, warm against the nape of my neck, matched the rhythm of my own, our heartbeats synchronizing. Every cell of my body was surrendering to the peaceful feeling, not even a single strand of my hair was in alarm.

So, this was what it meant to feel safe...

To be sheltered, free from the burden of worries, and have a chance to live every precious moment.

I turned slowly, careful not to disturb him. As I lay facing him, I couldn't help but marvel at his beauty. Every aspect of him fascinated me, and what captivated me most wasn't just his physical features—it was him in his entirety, from the depths of his heart to the intricacies of his thoughts. He was an angel. The most gentle and compassionate person I had ever come across—he was the kind of man who would put everyone else before himself. He knew how to love and he knew how to care and most importantly he knew me.

Raising my hand, I brushed my fingertips lightly over his stubble, tracing the contours of his cheeks.

A smile broke on my face as I watched him. What did I do to deserve him? God! I was so madly in love with him.

Nothing extraordinary happened between us last night. We did not have sex, no marking, nothing much. Instead, it was his tender embraces, his comforting words, his gentle touch that eased away my pain. We had simply cuddled, kissed, and held each other until sleep enveloped us. And I had to admit, it was the most blissful experience I had ever known—to drift off in someone's arms, secure in the knowledge that they would protect you at all costs.

I had never experienced that but because of Nate, I got to know it and I knew I was going to crave his arms around me time and again.

"Oh, how could anyone not love you?" I sighed, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on his lips before attempting to rise. However, before I could, I felt his grip seize my wrist, pulling me back onto the bed, with Nate hovering over me.

Holy!

Wait, wasn't he just asleep?

"You're... you're awake?" I stammered, surprised as I looked up at him, noticing the amusement dancing in his eyes. Perhaps he enjoyed seeing me flustered a little too much, but I couldn't complain; everything about him seemed perfect, even his simple amusement.

"I was awake even before you, baby," he chuckled, leaning in to place another kiss on my lips, then another. "But I wanted to see what goes on in that head of yours, and I'm glad to find out it's just me. Only me.”

A blush spread across my cheeks. "It's... it's not like that!"

"It's exactly like that," he chuckled, nuzzling my nose, “You can’t hide the truth, Maya.”

"It’s not at all like that!” 

I tried to avert my gaze before he sealed my lips with another kiss, this time more demanding. For a fleeting moment, I attempted to resist, but soon found myself surrendering, forgetting all about my embarrassment as I kissed him back.

He had me wrapped around his fingers—there was no way to deny it.

Nate deepened the kiss, turning us around until I straddled his lap. His touch ignited a fire within me, his hands exploring my curves before settling firmly on my hips. Slowly he cupped my butt and a sudden squeeze made me moan into the kiss. He seized the opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth, igniting a hunger that consumed us both. He was devouring me and I loved every bit of it.

Desire spread across my skin, raising goosebumps in its wake.

As we parted, his lips trailed down my neck, sending shivers down my spine. "God, Maya! You're heavenly," he murmured against my skin, his teeth grazing me, leaving behind marks that belonged to him. Each kiss, each bite, pushed me closer to the edge.

I was losing myself in him, completely and irrevocably. I dove so deep that it felt like I might never resurface.

Nathaniel was intoxicating. I wanted to tell him, but at that moment, words failed me. I burned—for him. Yes, I fucking burned for him.

"You don't know how much I've held back every time I saw you," he whispered, tracing his nose along my collarbone, and inhaling my scent. "I've always been drawn to you, more than you can imagine. It hurt not to touch you when you were always so close. Your scent, your voice, your smile— I'm going to worship you for the rest of my life. I fucking love you, Maya. And I am gonna wipe away every bitter memory you have. I am going to heal your wounds and make sure you never feel pain ever again—it’s my promise to you.”

God...

How could I not fall for him? I didn't know, because, with each passing moment, I fell even deeper.

"I love you..." I whispered, cupping his face and drawing him into another kiss. He responded eagerly, our desires overwhelming us, leaving us both speechless and powerless to resist.

"I won't be able to stop if I continue this... Maya," he breathed out, breaking the kiss, his breath heavy with desire, his eyes filled with longing, “And I know you want to take things slow... you need to take things slow. I don't want to rush you."

The fact that he understood my need to proceed cautiously, prioritizing my comfort over his own desires, made me want to hug him and cry once more. But last night, we'd already cried enough, and he disliked seeing me cry as much as I did.

So, instead, I let a smile spread across my face as I embraced him tightly. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you for being a part of my life."

Seven years was no small span, and I couldn't imagine navigating it without him by my side. He was everything to me—from the moment he welcomed me into his pack to the times he comforted me after Jackson's passing. He was my companion through every moment, my rock through every storm.

"I should be thanking you," he murmured, exhaling as he enveloped me in his arms. "God! I don’t think I can stay away from you any longer."

"Well, that's bad news..." I teased, giggling. "You can't cling to me like Jackson does all the time."

"I'm afraid I might do worse than that," he chuckled, nuzzling my neck, and eliciting soft laughter from my lips.

"Stop!”

"But I can't," he replied, playfully peppering my face and neck with kisses as I attempted to push him away, unable to suppress my smile.

"You have to," I insisted, half-heartedly.

"Who says I have to?" he teased, pulling me closer and showering my lips with kisses.

"Nate, don't be stubborn!" I laughed, surrendering to his affectionate onslaught.

"I'm just being affectionate," Nate said nonchalantly, continuing to pepper kisses on my cheek.

A giggle escaped my lips as I playfully pushed him onto the bed, quickly scrambling off.

He looked surprised by my sudden move, sitting up. "Did you just hit me?"

Struggling to stifle my laughter, I replied, "You were being greedy."

"Is that so?" A mischievous smirk played on his lips as he rose to his feet. "I'll show you what being greedy looks like."

Oh no...

As he charged towards me, I made a dash for the door. With a quick twist, I swung it open, intending to dart outside, but Nate caught my wrist just in time. And just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, my foot slipped, sending both of us crashing to the floor in a tangled heap.

"Ouch!" I groaned, feeling the ache in my shoulders as I slowly sat up.

"God, Maya! You're always falling," Nate chuckled, finding amusement in the situation as he sat up beside me.

Before I could blame him for our predicament, I noticed our surroundings and my eyes widened.

Shit!

"Well... we thought you two were just friends?" came a voice from the doorway.

Double shit!