The certainty in his voice made my chest tight.
This was real. Whatever was happening between us—however fucked up and complicated and impossible it should be—it was real.
I pulled him closer and let myself believe it.
Just for now. Just for these few hours before reality came crashing back in.
Stefan was mine. And I'd do whatever it took to keep him.
Even if that made me a monster.
Even if the world burned around us.
He was mine.
And I was never letting go.
"We should probably talk about this," Stefan said eventually.
"Probably."
"But you're not going to."
"Not yet." I pressed a kiss to his temple. "Let me have this for a few more hours before reality crashes back in."
He was quiet for a moment. Then: "Okay. A few more hours."
We dozed. When we woke again, Stefan's stomach growled loud enough to make us both laugh.
"I should get you food," I said.
"Or you could stay here and we could ignore basic human needs."
"Tempting. But I need you healthy." I extracted myself from his arms despite his protest. "I'll bring breakfast. Real breakfast, not just coffee and toast."
I got dressed and headed downstairs to the club's kitchen. The morning staff was preparing for tonight's service, but they were used to me raiding the supplies. I put together a meal—eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, coffee that actually tasted good instead of the standard break room swill.
When I returned to Stefan's room, he'd gotten dressed in the new clothes I'd bought him. The sight of him in dark jeans and a soft t-shirt did something to me. He looked comfortable. Real. Like someone who belonged in my world instead of a hostage I was keeping locked away.
"Breakfast in bed?" Stefan raised an eyebrow as I set the tray down.
"You've earned it."
We sat on the bed together and ate. It was domestic in a way that should have felt wrong. Should have reminded me that this entire situation was fucked up. Instead, it felt right. Natural. Like we'd been doing this for years instead of hours.
Stefan stole bacon off my plate. I retaliated by eating the strawberries he'd been saving for last. We argued about whether the coffee was too strong (it was perfect) and whether breakfast was overrated (Stefan insisted all meals were equally important, which was adorable).
I watched him laugh at something I'd said and felt that crack in my chest widen.
I was in deep. So far gone I couldn't see daylight anymore.
My phone buzzed. Text from Sandro.
Office. Now. Urgent.
Fuck.
"I have to go," I said, standing up. "Meeting."
