Monday morning. Sunlight spilled softly through the curtains, but I couldn't focus on it. My mind kept replaying last night—the kiss. Ethan's lips on mine, the warmth, the gentle pressure of his hands. My heart was still racing even though the world around me had woken up.
I peeked over the edge of the sofa, and there he was—Ethan, still asleep, one arm tucked behind his head, the other draped lazily over the blanket. His hair fell messily across his forehead, and for a second, I forgot to breathe.
"Wow…" I whispered, a small smile forming on my lips. "So handsome… even when he's not trying."
I inched closer, careful not to wake him, my fingers brushing lightly against his hand. His eyes fluttered open, and he gave me a sleepy, crooked smile. "Morning… sleepyhead," he murmured, voice still husky from sleep.
"Morning," I whispered back, trying to sound calm, though my heart threatened to jump out of my chest.
He stretched, his arm brushing mine intentionally this time. "You've been staring at me," he teased, eyes glinting with mischief.
"I… maybe," I admitted, cheeks burning. "Just… thinking."
"Thinking about?" he asked, sitting up slightly, hand resting on my knee.
I swallowed, trying to hide the flutter in my stomach. "You… the kiss… last night," I confessed, looking down.
Ethan leaned closer, his eyes softening. "Yeah… me too," he admitted quietly. "It… it was perfect. And I haven't stopped thinking about it either."
My breath hitched. "Really?"
"Really," he said with a faint smirk. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "And you know… I don't plan to stop."
I laughed nervously, heart racing. "Ethan… you're impossible."
"And yet," he teased, leaning in just enough for our noses to almost touch, "you like it."
"Maybe a little," I whispered, letting myself blush.
He grinned, the intensity in his gaze softening. "A little? You mean… a lot."
I tried to hide my smile behind the blanket, but he caught me anyway, gently tugging the edge. "You can't hide it from me, Lara. Not anymore. Not after last night."
I blushed deeper, finally laughing. "Fine! Maybe… I can't stop thinking about you either."
He leaned back slightly, but his hand stayed near mine, almost holding it. "Good," he said softly. "Because we have a lot to figure out… together. Step by step, Lara. But right now… let's just enjoy this moment."
I nodded, resting my head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth, the closeness, and the lingering fire of last night's kiss. Contract rules, obligations… all of it felt distant. What mattered now was him, me, and the quiet thrill of being together in ways neither of us could ignore.
Because some kisses didn't just ignite desire—they left a lingering warmth, a promise, and the sweetest kind of trouble.