And sometimes silence was all you needed to understand each other completely.
"What if what I did comes back to hurt you?"he asked, his voice barely a whisper."You're already going through so much.I don't want to?—"
"You won't," I interrupted, my voice firm."Let me decide that."
He looked at me, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation or doubt.
"We don't have to...we don't have to label it," I said, my heart pounding in my chest."We can take it one day at a time.That's it.We don't have to be serious or?—"
"I'm not a good man," he said, cutting me off."And when it comes to...to that, I'm either all in or I'm nothing.It's who I am.If you're mine, you're mine.That's it."
I swallowed hard at the intensity of his gaze, the raw emotion etched into his features.
"Then let me be yours," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.
"You don't know what you're asking for," he replied, his eyes darkening with something.
I stood on the balls of my toes and kissed him again, pouring every ounce of emotion I had into that kiss.His lips were warm and demanding against mine, and for a moment, everything else faded away.The world outside ceased to exist; there was only us.
His hands slid up to cup my face, pulling me closer as if he was afraid I'd slip away.The kiss deepened, and I felt the barriers between us start to crumble.It was fierce and tender all at once—a desperate need to connect and a silent promise that we would face whatever came our way together.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless.Our foreheads rested against each other’s as we stood there, trying to steady our racing hearts.
"Claire," he murmured again, his voice rough with emotion.
I opened my eyes and looked up at him, seeing the vulnerability in his gaze.
"I want this," I said softly."I want you."
He closed his eyes briefly, as if absorbing my words, before looking back at me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"One day at a time," he said, his grip on me tightening slightly.
"One day at a time," I repeated, knowing that whatever lay ahead, we would face it together."Anyway, I...I should go," I stammered, the words barely forming as my mind spun in a thousand directions."I need..."
I didn't even know what I needed.Air?Space?A moment to process the storm of emotions swirling inside me?
"But..."I licked my lips, trying to gather my thoughts."Maybe we'll see each other later?We could...there's an ice rink or maybe..."
Now I was babbling, the nervous energy pouring out of me in a rush of words.
"I'm going to?—"
Before I could finish, Christian's lips were on mine again, silencing me with a kiss that melted every coherent thought.I leaned into it, savoring the warmth and certainty in his touch.
"Tonight," he whispered against my lips, his voice a soft promise.
"Tonight," I said, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and nerves.
I left his place, feeling a strange blend of exhilaration and disbelief.Leaning against the wall just outside his door, I stared up at the ceiling and let out a laugh that bubbled up from deep within me.It was the kind of laugh that came from pure joy and relief.
Without thinking, I did a little dance right there in the hallway, my feet moving to an invisible rhythm fueled by excitement.Then, with a skip in my step, I headed down the stairs.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt genuinely light-hearted.Whatever challenges lay ahead for Christian and me, we'd face them together.And for now, that was enough.
Chapter17
Christian
