Chapter 6 - Chapter 5

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭"

••••

The house was finally quiet.

After hours of playing pretend—smiles, soft touches, that kiss to her forehead that still burned on her skin—they had finally bid goodnight to Rayden's parents.

Aera followed him down the grand hallway, her bare feet almost silent on the floor. Her heart wasn't.

She was stepping into his room… his real space… for the first time.

The moment the heavy door opened, her breath caught in her throat.

It was massive.

Dark wooden floors gleamed under the soft glow of warm lights. A king-sized bed dominated the room—sheets crisp, neat, untouched. To the side, towering wardrobes. A sitting area with a leather couch and glass coffee table. Shelves stacked with books, but nothing personal. No photos. No warmth.

It was clean. Sharp. Just like him.

The faint scent of his cologne lingered in the air—a mix of cedarwood, spice, and quiet danger.

Aera hovered awkwardly near the couch as Rayden removed his jacket, tossing it onto a nearby chair.

"Don't get any ideas," he muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. His silver-grey eyes briefly flicked over her frame, unreadable.

Before she could respond, his voice came again, cool and detached.

"I'll sleep on the bed."

Her heart stuttered.

"You'll sleep on the couch."

Disappointment?

Relief?

She wasn't sure which burned hotter in her chest.

"Right," she managed to whisper, shuffling toward the couch.

The couch looked fine—until she actually tried to lie down.

It was narrow. The armrests pressed awkwardly against her shoulders. The leather creaked with every movement, cold against her skin.

Aera tossed. Turned. Adjusted.

Nothing worked.

She curled on her side. Then her back. She flipped her pillow.

The clock ticked past midnight.

The sheets on Rayden's giant bed didn't move once.

Is he asleep already? How can he sleep so peacefully?

The faint moonlight trickled through the half-open window, cool air brushing her exposed legs.

It must've been around 3AM when it happened.

In her sleep-deprived haze, Aera shifted again, too close to the edge—

And slipped right off the couch.

Her body hit the floor with a quiet thud.

For a moment, she lay there, groaning softly, the cold floor unforgiving beneath her. But exhaustion weighed heavier than discomfort. Shivering from the chilly air sneaking through the open window, she drifted off, curled like a stray kitten.

Around 5AM in the morning, Rayden stirred awake, his body wired to the routine of years of discipline.

His eyes adjusted to the dim room—and landed immediately on the small figure sprawled on the floor.

Aera.

Her brows were furrowed even in sleep, her lips parted slightly. The blanket was tangled around her legs, her skin pale as she shivered.

His gaze flicked to the window.

Open.

Cool air drifted in, the curtains swaying faintly.

A flicker of something stirred in his chest.

Guilt?

Annoyance?

He couldn't tell.

Masking his expression, he silently approached.

Carefully, he lifted her small frame off the floor. She was surprisingly light… fragile. Her head fell against his chest, her warmth seeping into him.

Without a word, Rayden placed her on the massive bed. Her face relaxed immediately as the softness cradled her.

He adjusted the blanket, making sure it covered her properly.

Stupid girl, he thought. But his hands lingered for half a second longer than necessary before he pulled away.

An hour later, Aera stirred awake.

The sheets beneath her were impossibly soft. The warmth… unfamiliar.

Her eyes snapped open.

Bed. His bed.

Panic crept up her spine. She glanced around—and there he was.

Rayden stood by the closet, fastening the buttons on his crisp white shirt. His dark hair was still damp from the shower, drops clinging to his nape.

His broad back flexed beneath the fabric, muscles defined, strong.

Her heart stuttered at the sight.

But Rayden's gaze was already on her.

His eyes dropped lower… and stayed there.

Aera followed his stare—realizing in horror that her cotton shorts had ridden way too high up her thighs during sleep, exposing more skin than she'd ever willingly show him.

Her cheeks flamed crimson as she scrambled to adjust her clothes, tugging the fabric down in embarrassment.

Rayden cleared his throat, sharp and low.

"Next time, sleep on the bed properly," he said flatly, turning away to grab his watch.

Aera's lips parted. "You… put me here?"

He didn't answer immediately. His expression unreadable, as always.

"It was that," he finally said, sliding his watch on, "or letting you freeze on the floor like an idiot."

The words stung… but his actions betrayed the coldness in his tone.

She bit her lip, clutching the blanket tighter.

📝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞:

OKAYYYY the slow-burn tension just escalated 🔥

Rayden's all "I-don't-care"… but carries her to bed like a damn protective boyfriend.

Also… her staring at his back? Her little shorts moment? YESSS.

Drop your comments below