Jaguar slowly pulled her away from his embrace. His face was blank, showing no clear emotions, but he didn't get angry or tell her she had crossed the line. Fati realized he wouldn't give her more than that for now, but she was still very happy. That first hug felt like a big victory to her. She looked away, smiling to herself and trying to hide her joy. Suddenly, he said as if he noticed her turning away:
- Don't look away. I want to see your reaction.
She turned back to him, trying hard to hide her excitement. Her heart was racing, and she found it difficult to breathe, afraid that her eyes would give her away.
- What do you want to see?
She asked softly.
- It's enough that your face is toward me,
He replied.
- That is all I want to see.
They continued to the hotel in silence. When they arrived, Jaguar got out from the car first and held out his hand for her. It was a wonderful feeling; she never expected him to be the one to reach out first. She smiled and placed her fingers in his palm, and they walked up to the suite together. The secretary and the bodyguard were waiting for them, but Jaguar immediately announced:
- You can leave us alone now.
As soon as they left, he threw himself onto the sofa and loosened his tie. Fati went into her room and found an extra small bag, and in the closet, a suit and a coat were hanging. She touched the sleeve of his suit with trembling fingers, thinking to herself: This is a sign of our first night together. It seems I will finally sleep in his arms tonight. While she was smiling and lost in her thoughts, Jaguar suddenly asked:
- Are you going to shower first, or should I?
The question startled her. She quickly pulled her hand away from his suit and turned to him, feeling nervous.
- You go first,
She said.
- I will wait here.
Jaguar went into the bathroom for about fifteen minutes, but to Fati, it felt like hours. She paced back and forth in the room, feeling as nervous as someone waiting outside a delivery room for a new baby. When he finally came out, she looked at him with confusion and shyness. He was wearing a bathrobe, and water was dripping from his wet hair down his sharp cheek. He wanted to say something, but she didn't wait; she rushed into the bathroom and locked the door.
Inside, she leaned her back against the door, clutching her clothes. Her heart was beating so loudly she was afraid he could hear it from the other side. The bathroom was filled with steam and the scent of his shower gel a new, masculine scent she had never smelled before. After she finished her shower, she wondered if she should wear a bathrobe too, but she decided to wear her pajamas with lace underwear instead, and finally, she stepped out.
When she came out, she was surprised to see that Jaguar had also changed into his pajamas. He was lying on the bed, but not under the covers, deeply focused on his iPad. He didn't look up at her. She went to the other side of the bed and tucked herself under the blankets. Suddenly, he spoke:
- All the news about you has been deleted from the newspapers and websites. We also filed a lawsuit against the paper that published your photo.
Then he turned to her with a smile and said,
- Don't worry. You are 'clean' again.
Fati should have been angry. She should have asked, "Did you think I was dirty before?" or "Do you doubt me?"
But the magic of that smile was more powerful than her pride. She remained there, gazing at him with a mad infatuation, while her heart began to beat even more violently and faster than it had when she was in the bathroom; she was enchanted by his protection even before his words.
As for him, he was enchanted by her shyness and her damp hair, which she had tried to dry with a towel but still looked wet. Strands of her hair touched her skin as if they were hugging her face. Behind all of that was her smile, which captivated anyone who looked at it. In front of her eyes, which made all his defenses crumble, he stood helpless. His subconscious screamed at him, "Don't get closer! Don't do it!" But his heart was stronger; without realizing it, his hand rose to touch the strand sticking to her face and gently pushed it away, as if saying, I am the only one who gets to hold this face.
- You look breathtaking
He whispered.
Her smile widened, and her cheeks glowed with a crimson color that made his heart melt under the spell of those flushed cheeks. Then, in a low, husky voice filled with temptation, he continued:
- You're glowing... do you have a fever?
Fati lifted her hands with innocent spontaneity, pressing her palms against her cheeks to hide the glow that was turning even more crimson. Jaguar gently moved her hands away and said:
- Don't hide it behind your hands.
He then placed his palms on her warm face, discovering how tiny it was compared to his large hands. His long fingers framed her entire face, and he whispered in a voice filled with poetry and deep huskiness:
- Only I have the right to hold your face.
He brought his face closer to hers, his eyes fixed on her full, peach-colored lips. His proximity was like a warning, setting every atom of Fati's body on fire as she thought: It's time. It's finally time. She desperately wanted to pounce on his lips again, just as she had on their wedding night, but she decided to hold back. She wanted him to be the one to start it; she wanted him to lead the symphony she had waited for so long.
Fati closed her eyes, waiting. Suddenly, his phone rang, making his hand tremble against her skin. She kept her eyes closed, listening to the phone ring again and again. When she finally opened them, she saw him looking at her with hesitation, his face turned away. She had been ready to embrace him, forgetting all the rules between them. He glanced at the phone; it was a call from his grandfather. He didn't want to answer the call had stopped his heart from the emotional surrender he was about to make, replaced by a cold logic telling him to stay away.
He turned back to look at her and saw her eyes filled with tears, as if she were terrified he would leave her again. His hands were still cupping her face. He wanted to change his mind and go back to what he had wanted, but his conscience wouldn't let him. He moved his hands to her shoulders and pulled her into his chest, holding her tight.
- Fati,
He said, without letting her see his face,
- Stay in my arms like this, always.
He was silent for a moment before adding,
- And don't ask me why I can't do more than this, this is all I can give you.
He said this while holding her, but she just stared into space behind him, completely in shock. He then pulled away, left her, and went to sleep on the sofa in the living room.