The alarm rang at exactly seven o'clock.
A sharp sound that shattered the quiet stillness of the room.
Rege's eyes opened immediately.
Years of discipline had conditioned him to wake the moment an alarm sounded.
But before he could even fully register the noise—
Maya scrunched her nose.
A tiny frown appeared between her brows as she burrowed closer against his chest in her sleep.
The sight hit him harder than the alarm itself.
Rege reached toward the nightstand with astonishing speed.
The alarm stopped almost instantly.
Silence returned.
The room settled once more beneath the soft morning light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Only then did he exhale.
His gaze lowered.
Maya remained asleep.
One arm was draped across his waist.
Her cheek rested directly over his heart.
Completely unaware of the panic she'd caused him over a simple alarm.
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
God.
She slept deeply.
Peacefully.
Comfortably.
As though there wasn't a single thing in the world she feared.
And somehow that trust felt heavier than anything he'd ever carried.
The sunlight painted soft gold across her hair.
Her breathing remained steady.
Calm.
Even.
Rege found himself watching her longer than necessary.
Again.
He'd lost count of how many times he'd done that recently.
Then movement outside the bedroom interrupted the moment.
His attention shifted toward the door.
A faint sound.
Almost silent.
But enough.
Nadia.
He already knew.
Without disturbing Maya, Rege carefully adjusted his position.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Making sure she remained asleep.
Years of moving through dangerous situations had taught him how to move without sound.
This required even more caution.
Because waking Maya somehow felt worse than any threat.
Once she settled comfortably against the pillows, he rose from the bed.
Crossed the room.
Opened the door.
Exactly as expected.
Several clothing racks stood outside.
Fresh outfits.
Shoes.
Accessories.
Everything Nadia had probably spent half the morning organizing.
A faint smile touched his lips.
At least she hadn't knocked.
He quietly wheeled everything inside.
Closed the door.
And transferred the racks into the enormous walk-in closet.
The process took less than two minutes.
Then he returned.
Without a sound.
Without disturbing her.
He slipped beneath the blankets again.
Maya immediately moved closer.
Pure instinct.
Still asleep.
Her hand settled against his chest once more.
Rege stared at the ceiling for several seconds.
Then looked down at her.
A softness settled inside him.
One he no longer bothered fighting.
Eventually his arm slid around her waist.
And for the second time that morning—
He fell asleep.
It was nearly ten o'clock when Maya finally woke.
At first she remained still.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
The kind of comfort that made it difficult to remember where she was.
Then slowly—
Memory returned.
The rooftop.
The flowers.
The cakes.
The laughter.
The stars.
Falling asleep beside Rege.
The kiss.
Maya's eyes widened slightly.
Heat immediately flooded her cheeks.
She buried her face deeper into his chest.
As though hiding from reality might somehow help.
Unfortunately reality remained exactly where she'd left it.
Directly beneath her.
Strong heartbeat.
Warm skin.
Rege.
A smile tugged at her lips despite herself.
The embarrassment remained.
But so did something else.
Something softer.
Something she wasn't ready to name.
Carefully she tilted her head upward.
Rege still appeared asleep.
Long dark lashes.
Relaxed expression.
Messy hair.
He looked younger like this.
Less intimidating.
Almost peaceful.
Maya's gaze lingered.
Then without thinking, her fingers lifted.
Tracing softly along his jawline.
Gentle.
Curious.
Careful.
The moment lasted exactly three seconds.
Then—
Maya froze.
Completely.
Rege's eyes opened.
Amusement sparkled inside those impossible aquamarine eyes.
And he'd clearly been awake for longer than she realized.
"Good morning, Krasota."
His voice sounded rough from sleep.
Warm.
Dangerously warm.
Maya narrowed her eyes immediately.
"You were awake."
Rege remained silent.
Which was answer enough.
"You were awake the entire time."
A slow smile appeared.
Rege nodded once.
Maya gasped.
Then smacked his chest.
Not hard.
Just enough.
"You were making fun of me!"
Rege groaned dramatically.
One hand covering his chest.
As though she'd caused serious injury.
"I wasn't."
His smile completely betrayed him.
Maya rolled her eyes.
"Terrible liar."
Rege's smile only widened.
And unfortunately for Maya—
That smile remained her greatest weakness.
Every single time.
She immediately softened.
Reaching out to rub the spot she'd hit.
"I'm sorry."
Rege's expression changed instantly.
The amusement remained.
But something deeper surfaced beneath it.
"You never have to apologize to me, Krasota."
The sincerity in his voice stole her response.
Maya simply stared.
Then smiled.
A real smile.
Bright.
Warm.
Beautiful.
The moment stretched comfortably between them.
Until—
Grrrrrr.
Maya's stomach betrayed her.
Loudly.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Rege blinked once.
Then looked down.
Then back at her.
Maya covered her face.
"Oh my God."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
"You need to eat."
"I need a new stomach."
"You need food."
The firmness in his voice left absolutely no room for negotiation.
And somehow Maya found that adorable.
Rege sat up first.
Then immediately helped her sit up as well.
His hands lingered briefly on her arms.
Steadying her.
His gaze remained fixed on her afterward.
Far too long.
Far too intensely.
Maya noticed immediately.
"What?"
Rege didn't answer.
He simply continued staring.
As though he'd forgotten the question entirely.
Then finally—
"Beautiful."
The word escaped him quietly.
Absentmindedly.
Without hesitation.
Without calculation.
Like it wasn't even a compliment.
Simply a fact.
Maya's heart nearly stopped.
Her face turned pink instantly.
Rege seemed equally surprised by his own honesty.
Yet he didn't take it back.
Didn't look away.
Didn't apologize.
He simply smiled.
Softly.
Maya's pulse accelerated.
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
Thankfully Rege stood before she could embarrass herself further.
He offered his hand.
Maya accepted it.
And together they left the room.
led her out of the bedroom still holding her hand.
The hallway beyond was quiet, washed in soft morning light streaming through the enormous windows overlooking the estate grounds. Golden sunlight spilled across polished marble floors and illuminated the elegant cream walls, creating a warmth that felt strangely peaceful after the intimacy of the room they'd just left.
Maya stifled a yawn.
Failed.
The yawn escaped fully, accompanied by a tiny stretch that made her look entirely adorable.
Rege glanced down at her.
And smiled.
A real smile.
Small.
Soft.
The kind that appeared only when she wasn't paying attention.
Maya immediately caught it anyway.
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Smile at me like that."
His brow lifted slightly.
She pointed accusingly.
"Like you're amused by my existence."
His smile deepened.
Which only made her groan.
Impossible man.
Together they walked through the corridor until they reached a narrower staircase hidden at the far end of the hallway.
Unlike the grand intertwined staircase that dominated the mansion foyer, this one felt almost private.
Functional.
Reserved for family.
The polished wooden railing curved downward elegantly while sunlight filtered through a series of tall windows beside it.
Maya placed one foot onto the first step.
Then another.
Then suddenly—
Pain exploded behind her eyes.
Sharp.
Fast.
Unexpected.
A wave of dizziness followed immediately afterward.
The world tilted.
Only slightly.
But enough.
Her free hand rose instinctively toward her temple.
She barely touched her forehead.
Barely.
Yet Rege noticed.
Of course he did.
Before Maya could even form words—
She left the ground.
A startled sound nearly escaped her throat as Rege scooped her effortlessly into his arms.
The movement happened so quickly she didn't have time to protest.
One second she was standing.
The next she was being carried.
Again.
Her arms automatically wrapped around his neck.
More from instinct than choice.
Though she certainly wasn't admitting that.
"You really need to stop doing that."
Maya rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Put me down."
"No."
The answer came immediately.
Firm.
Final.
Completely non-negotiable.
Maya blinked.
"That wasn't a discussion."
"No."
"You can't just pick people up whenever you feel like it."
His expression remained calm.
"I can."
Maya stared.
Then narrowed her eyes.
Then gave up.
Because arguing with Rege once he decided something was usually a complete waste of energy.
Especially when he was already walking downstairs carrying her as though she weighed absolutely nothing.
A sigh escaped her.
Then she relaxed.
Just slightly.
Maybe more than slightly.
Because if she was being honest—
His arms felt safe.
Ridiculously safe.
The steady rhythm of his footsteps.
The strength beneath her.
The way he held her securely without effort.
The way she never once worried he might drop her.
It created a feeling Maya rarely experienced.
Peace.
As though nothing could reach her while she was here.
Protected.
Shielded.
Safe.
The realization should have unsettled her.
Instead she found herself leaning slightly against him.
Making herself comfortable.
Taking advantage of the situation.
If he insisted on carrying her—
Then she was going to enjoy it.
Rege noticed immediately.
The faint shift of her body.
The way she settled closer.
The way her shoulders relaxed.
And something inside him eased as well.
By the time they reached the bottom of the staircase, the scent of fresh bread and coffee drifted toward them.
The staircase connected directly to the family kitchen.
A massive room unlike anything Maya had ever seen.
The space was larger than some apartments.
White marble countertops stretched endlessly beneath elegant hanging lights.
Professional-grade appliances lined entire walls.
Fresh ingredients occupied various preparation stations.
Large windows overlooked the gardens.
More than a dozen staff members moved efficiently throughout the room preparing meals and organizing supplies.
Conversation filled the space quietly.
Until Rege entered.
The room instantly fell silent.
Every staff member straightened.
Several bowed respectfully.
Then they saw Maya.
In his arms.
The silence somehow deepened.
Maya immediately felt the weight of multiple shocked glances.
Oh no.
No.
No no no.
She straightened immediately.
Maya wanted to disappear.
The staff were doing an admirable job pretending not to look.
Unfortunately they were failing spectacularly.
Several exchanged glances.
One nearly dropped a tray.
Another looked suspiciously close to smiling.
Maya nudged Rege's shoulder.
Rege walked through the kitchen without the slightest concern for the audience witnessing the scene.
As though carrying Maya around was the most natural thing in the world.
Eventually he reached a comfortable seating area positioned around a large table in the center of the kitchen.
Only then did he lower her carefully into one of the chairs.
Delicately.
Gently.
As though she might break.
Maya's face felt warm.
Very warm.
She immediately looked away.
Attempting to hide her smile.
Failing miserably.
The smile only grew wider.
Because the entire situation felt ridiculous.
And sweet.
And embarrassing.
And wonderful.
All at once.
Rege noticed every second of it.
The hidden smile.
The flushed cheeks.
The way she refused to look directly at him.
A faint amusement flickered across his face.
He shook his head slightly before turning toward the staff who still lingered nearby pretending they weren't curious.
They looked like people waiting for instructions.
Or gossip.
Possibly both.
"Excuse us."
His voice remained calm.
Polite.
Yet carried enough authority to move mountains.
Immediately everyone bowed.
"Yes, Mr. Hastings."
Within moments the kitchen emptied.
One by one.
Until only silence remained.
And Maya.
And Rege.
The giant room suddenly felt strangely intimate despite its size.
Sunlight poured through the windows.
Coffee continued brewing somewhere nearby.
The scent of fresh ingredients lingered pleasantly in the air.
Maya sat quietly.
Still smiling.
Still remembering.
The rooftop.
The flowers.
The stars.
The kiss.
The way she'd fallen asleep against him.
The way she'd woken up against him.
The way he'd called her beautiful.
Again.
Heat flooded her cheeks.
Crimson.
She lowered her head.
Trying unsuccessfully to hide it.
Across the kitchen, Rege had already begun gathering ingredients.
Fresh fruit.
Eggs.
Vegetables.
Bread.
His movements were calm and practiced.
Comfortable.
Like someone entirely at home inside the kitchen.
Maya watched him silently.
Her smile softening.
Because somehow this felt even more intimate than the rooftop.
Not grand gestures.
Not flowers.
Not surprises.
Just Rege.
Cooking for her.
On an ordinary morning.
And for reasons she couldn't fully explain—
That touched her heart far more than anything else.