Elias ran his hand over her hair and gently kissed her forehead. “You should lie down. You look like you might fall over.”
“Okay,” she whispered. “I’m drained.” He led her down the hall to the bedrooms, giving her space, letting her move at her own pace. The room was dim and quiet, and the bed looked inviting.
“Um, this is my room, but you are welcome to sleep in here. I can take the spare room,” he offered. When he reached for her again, slower this time, something in her tightened—not fear, exactly, but nerves.
“Elias,” she said softly.
He paused instantly. “Yeah?”
“I need to tell you something.” Her fingers twisted in the hem of her sweater. “I’d like for you to stay with me, in your room, but I—I’ve never done this before.”
His expression softened, not surprised—just gentle. “You’ve never slept over at a man’s house before?” he asked. “Or you’ve never shared a bed with a man before?”
“Neither,” she breathed. “I’ve never done any of this. I’m a virgin.” There was no shock in his eyes. No judgment or even amusement.
“Thank you for trusting me with that,” he said quietly.
She let out a shaky breath. “It’s not that I’ve been saving myself for anyone in particular. I just haven’t been with anyone. I guess I’ve just been busy with schoolwork, and well, no guy ever really appealed to me before—well, before you.” She wanted to cover her face and hide away from him, but she was pretty sure that he wouldn’t allow her to do that. So, she stood her ground, waiting for him to make the next move.
He took her hands, steady and warm, into his own. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. Not tonight. I’m not going anywhere, Aliza.” Relief washed through her so hard her knees went weak.
“I still want to be here,” she whispered. “With you.” She nodded over to his bed.
He smiled softly. “That’s all I need.”
Cat chose that moment to jump up on the bed, curling into a ball like he’d appointed himself guardian for their sleepover. Aliza laughed, the sound fragile but real, and Elias brushed a kiss to her forehead. For the first time all day, she felt safe enough to breathe and just be herself. Elias allowed her that freedom—to be herself and not be embarrassed about who she was or what she wanted in life.
Aliza slipped out of her shoes and set them neatly beside the bed, suddenly aware of how quiet the room was. It was like the world had finally taken a step back and given her space to breathe. She moved slowly, almost carefully, like she didn’t want to disturb the peaceful moment.
Elias pulled back the covers and gestured gently. “You can take the side by the window. Cat claims the other one, apparently. I can sleep with him.” Cat flicked his tail like he was offended by the accusation, but didn’t move. Aliza smiled faintly and climbed onto the bed, curling on her side. The mattress was warm, the sheets smelling faintly like clean laundry and something unmistakably Elias. Comfort wrapped around her almost immediately, heavy and soothing.
Elias hesitated for a moment, then slid in beside her, keeping just a little space between them, like he was letting her decide what came next. She turned toward him. “You don’t have to stay on your side of the bed,” she said softly.
His eyes searched hers. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I’m sure.” He moved closer, slow and careful, until they were lying face to face. He didn’t touch her right away, didn’t rush anything. He just let his hand rest lightly on her arm, grounding and warm.
“Are you okay?” he murmured.
“I think I am now,” she said honestly. Being with him, in his place, grounded her in a way that she didn’t know she needed. They lay there for a while, just breathing together. The tension in her chest slowly unwound, replaced by something gentler. Elias made her feel safe and connected to him, and although it was unexpected, she liked it—craved it even. It was the kind of closeness she’d never known before, and she could find herself getting used to it.
“My dad always made me feel like love was something you had to earn,” she whispered into the quiet. “Like if I messed up, it could be taken away.”
Elias’s jaw tightened. He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “You don’t have to earn anything from me.”
Her throat tightened. “I don’t know what I’m doing,” she admitted. “But I want to be here. With you.”
“Then you’re doing more than enough,” he said softly. “I just want you here with me, too, Aliza.
She inched closer, resting her forehead against his. It felt natural being so close to him. It was easy in a way she hadn’t expected. His warmth, his steady presence, the gentle way he held her like she was something precious instead of something fragile.
Cat let out a soft, approving chirp from behind them, making Aliza laugh and relax fully for the first time all day. Wrapped in Elias’s arms, with Cat purring like a tiny engine between them, the fear that had ruled her all day had finally loosened its grip. Whatever tomorrow brought, she wouldn’t face it alone.
Elias
Elias woke slowly, the kind of slowness that came from deep, dreamless sleep instead of exhaustion. He had called the hospital before falling asleep to let them know that he wouldn’t be in for the day and to cancel his appointments. He hated doing that, but it wasn’t something that he did often. He never took days off, and sick days weren’t a thing for him. He went to work no matter how he felt—good or bad. But today, he needed to be with Aliza, and that was exactly what he was going to do.
For a few disoriented seconds, he didn’t remember where he was—only that he was warm, that there was a soft weight against his chest, and that something smelled faintly like vanilla and citrus. Then Aliza shifted, her hair brushing his jaw, and everything snapped into focus.
