My brain is scrambling, trying to map what the hell just happened. One second he’s handing me an escape hatch like I’m disposable.
The next he’s pinning me to the wall.
He leans in closer. His nose brushes mine—just barely. The contact sends a jolt straight down my spine.
“Didn’t I?” he presses. “You go, I go. That’s what you said. That’s what I’ve done.”
My heart slams against my ribs.
I nod once. The way he’s looking at me is feral.
Hungry.
He exhales through his nose, a rough sound that’s almost a growl. His forehead drops to rest against mine for half a second, eyes closed
When he opens them again, they’re dark, pupils blown wide.
“Sonow,” he murmurs, lips so close to mine I feel every word, “if you stay… you stay as mine.”
His body is vibrating, holding back whatever force released the moment I said “stay.”
His right hand slides down from the wall, fingers curling around the side of my neck. Thumb pressing lightly over my pulse.
“Beda,”he teases, so lightly it’s almost playful. “Tell me, why is your pulse racing?”
His lips brush mine. “Tell me,” he whispers against them.
I swallow. His thumb tracks the movement.
“I—” My voice is barely there. “I didn’t think you wanted—”
“I want.” The words come out raw, almost angry. “I want sofuckingbad it’s eating me alive. Do you know that, Beda?”
He presses closer, hips pinning mine to the wall now, the hard line of him unmistakable through the thin fabric of my dress. His breath fans hot across my mouth.
“So say it again,” he demands, voice dropping to a rasp. “Say you’ll stay. Say you’re mine. Because if you don’t—”
His fingers tighten just enough on my neck to make my pulse jump under his thumb. “If you don’t, I’ll find you. I will destroy everything andanyonethat gets in my way. But I’d rather you choose it. Choose me.”
His nose drags along the side of mine again, slow, deliberate. A shiver races down my arms.
“Say it, Ayla.”
I’m trembling from the sheer force of him, the way he’s unraveling right in front of me. The juggernaut threatening me to stay.
“I’m staying,” I whisper. My hands come up, fingers curling into the open collar of his shirt, anchoring myself. “I’ll be yours.”
Something shifts in his eyes—relief, triumph, feral satisfaction all at once. He exhales like he’s been holding his breath for days.
Then his mouth claims mine.
Heat and certainty and something reckless that steals the air from my lungs. My fingers knot in his shirt as he kisses me like the decision has already been made, like there was never another ending.
When he finally pulls back, his breathing is heavier, eyes dark and steady on mine.
Something new settles there; final, unwavering.
His thumb brushes once across my jaw, grounding me.
