Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'29

When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the softness of the sheets and the way the morning light crept through the edges of the curtains. My head was still spinning from what had happened in the dining hall, and my chest felt heavy. But the moment I turned my head and saw Czar sitting beside the bed, shirtless and brooding in grey sweatpants, something shifted.

"Czar?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked over at me. His hair was tousled, eyes tired. "I'm right here."

I sat up slowly. "Where were you?"

"I was being stupid," he muttered. "After last night... I just needed to get out, clear my head."

I frowned. "So you ignored my calls?"

He didn't answer right away. "I didn't know what to say to you."

"Yeah? And look what happened, Czar. Liam found me. He could've killed me."

"I know. I know I messed up," he said, standing. The muscles in his chest tensed as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry—"

"Don't you dare say sorry." I pushed the blanket off me and got out of bed, feeling the tension burn hot in my skin. "I want to leave."

"I already have a flight booked for tomorrow morning." His voice was rough. "When we get back, I'll double the security. I'll stay with you. I won't leave your side."

"I can't live like this, Czar," I said. My voice cracked. "Constantly looking over my shoulder."

He stepped toward me, and without warning, pulled me into his chest. His arms wrapped around me tightly, his scent enveloping me. I sank into him, burying my face in his shoulder. Despite everything, I felt safe there.

"We're going to find him," he whispered into my hair.

I looked up at him, and he was already watching me. His gaze dropped to my lips, and when he tilted my chin up with his finger, it felt like my whole body responded.

He kissed me, slow at first, like he was asking permission. I gave it to him willingly, parting my lips for his, letting the kiss grow deeper, hotter. His hands moved over my body, grazing my waist, slipping down the curve of my hips, pulling me closer until there was nothing between us but heat and tension.

My fingers tangled in his messy hair, tugging gently, and he groaned into my mouth. The sound sent shivers down my spine. His mouth opened for me as I slipped my tongue in, teasing, tasting, devouring.

He pressed me back against the bed, his body hovering over mine, the weight of his desire evident in the way his breath hitched when I raked my nails across his back. I tugged at the waistband of his sweatpants, my pulse thudding in my ears.

But just as quickly as it started, he stopped.

He pulled away, panting, eyes wild with emotion. "We—" he breathed. "We shouldn't."

I stared at him, my lips still swollen, heart racing.

"You're right..." I whispered, trying to steady myself.

I turned away, walking to the bathroom with shaky legs. My skin was still flushed from the heat of his touch, and my mouth throbbed from our kiss.

But it wasn't just the kiss that stayed with me, it was the way he looked at me. Like I was more than just someone to protect. Like he didn't want to stop.

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