A familiar itch creeps up my spine. The old instinct flares back to life in me, recognizing the part of the night I understand at least. The part where plans are made, and business sits in the forefront of everyone’s minds.
But before it can continue, Elena gives my hand a soft squeeze, and she glances over to Roman. “Hey…not tonight.”
Roman blinks, caught off guard. “Not tonight? Our enemies could strike at any time.”
“This is important, I know, and there will be time to talk about it,” she continues, both gentle and self-assured. “But we’re finally all here tonight. We’re safe, and I want one night where we get to feel it.”
Quiet falls over the table, and as quickly as my mind managed to switch into business mode, my heart warms at the thought.
Then, Roman lets go of a breath, as if remembering himself and where we are. He nods once. “Alright. Later, then. We’ll enjoy the night.”
Elena smiles at that—genuine and tender, rather than boasting.
The others seem hesitant at first, then they gradually start to relax, easing back into the more carefree air we carried before. Conversation slowly picks up again, allowing the looming threats to be pushed aside for now.
I return Elena’s squeeze under the table, grateful in a way I can’t vocalize just yet. But as she glances at me, I know she feels it as her mouth curves slightly.
She knows exactly what I need, even before I do.
As the night winds down and the young ones start to grow fussy from being tired, they’re collected as Roman handles the bill without ceremony, and we all part with kinder goodbyes. Lily lingers for a moment longer, smiling at me and Elena as our arms slide together while we walk outside. She mentions seeing one another soon, and we agree, leaving my heart feeling lighter than it has in a long time.
Even if I couldn’t bring myself to see the bigger picture before, it’s crystal clear now.
My sister is safe and married to a man who would do anything to protect her. Just like I would for Elena.
We really aren’t that different after all.
The car ride home is quiet but content, and Elena doesn’t let go of my hand the entire way. Inside, the door barely clicks shut before she’s on me, gripping my jacket and pulling me close.
Her lips find mine with a surprising heat that steals the breath from my lungs without warning.
Melting into it, I carefully back her against the wall without a second thought, palms sliding along her waist, feelingthe fabric of her dress beneath my skin, along with her addicting warmth.
I feel as she smiles against my lips, murmuring, “You were good tonight.”
With a huff of amusement, I say back, quiet and intimate, “I didn’t start any arguments. Sounds like I deserve a reward.”
Her smile pulls. “You looked happy, you know.”
The claim is so simple, yet it pulls at me from the inside, and I can’t help but soften further.
“I was,” I admit, not afraid to let her hear it now as I drink her in. “I am.”
As her glittering eyes stay locked on mine, Elena’s fingers slide beneath my dark shirt, warm and confident, while she explores my abdomen like she does when she’s feeling greedy. Her smile slips into a wicked grin the very second I groan softly.
Resting my forehead against hers, every point of contact sticks out in my awareness, and I gradually walk backwards while she guides me further inside.
Closing my eyes briefly, I trust her to lead me. This…I know how to navigate this. Touch, heat, and the never-ending want between us. It’s all I can do not to act on it every chance I get.
But now, like a thread tying every moment together, a deeper warmth drives us. It’s a feeling I never let myself embrace before Elena.
While her palms wander, she kisses me deliberately, then the words leave her suddenly, “I love you.”
My heart squeezes instinctively, hands on her hips, tensing for a beat.
Pulling back just enough to look at her fully, I’m no longer in control of my expression as it lightens, swimming with emotions only she can evoke.
And when I look at her, I see the woman who stood between her family and me. The one who chose me when she didn’t have to, even when she saw the worst of my world.
