But I stayed awake, staring at the ceiling as dawn crept closer, one hand in her hair, the other resting possessively on her stomach.
She was mine. Finally, completely, mine.
She shifted in her sleep, murmuring my name, fingers curling tighter over my heart. Over the tattoo of her name.
I pressed another kiss to her hair, arms tightening around her like I could keep the world out through sheer force of will.
"I love you," I whispered into the dark, so quiet she couldn't hear.
The sky started to lighten—soft grey bleeding into pale blue. Sunrise.
Time to go.
I looked down at her one last time. Hair spilled across the pillow, lips slightly parted, one hand still curled over my chest. Peaceful. Beautiful. Mine.
God, I didn't want to leave.
But I had to.
I carefully extracted myself from her arms, moving slow so I wouldn't wake her. She stirred slightly, reaching for me in her sleep, and I froze. Then she settled, rolling into the warm spot I'd left, and my chest ached. Shit. That broke my heart.
I leaned down, pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Let my lips linger there, breathing her in one more time.
"I love you," I whispered against her skin as I felt my eyes burn.
Then I stood up, forcing myself to walk away. Every step felt like tearing myself in half.
In the kitchen, I moved on autopilot. Set up the coffee machine—her favorite blend, timer set so it'd be ready when she woke. Made her a sandwich, raw tuna and avocado, exactly how she liked it in the morning. Wrapped it carefully, left it in the fridge.
Then I grabbed a pen and the notepad she kept by thephone.
Baby,
Coffee's ready, sandwich in the fridge.
I had to go early, but fuck I miss you already. As I always miss you when I'm two steps away from you.
Think of me when you drink the coffee. Think of me when you're alone. Think of me every second until I come back.
I love you, Alena.
Wait for me, please.
- D
I stared at the note for a long moment. Wanted to write more. Wanted to tell her everything. But this would have to be enough.
I left it on the counter where she'd see it, then grabbed my clothes from the chair. Dressed quickly—jeans, shirt, boots.
One last look back toward the bedroom.
She was still asleep. Still safe.
For now.
The corner of the room seemed darker than it should be—shadow pooling where the early light couldn't reach. For a second, I thought I saw it move.
I blinked. Nothing.
