Dare You To Love Me

«37» a path forward

Yaseerah shifted in the dimly lit room, her gaze falling on Fou’ad, who lay beside her, one of his legs casually draped over her thigh, seemingly lost in thought, as he drew circles along the inside of her wrist.

She cleared her throat softly, breaking the silence that enveloped them, a frown marring her eyebrows.

“Fou’ad,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, “You aren’t sleeping.”

Fou’ad’s eyes flickered to hers, a small smile playing on his lips, as his thumb brushed gently over her knuckles, in a gesture that felt both comforting and familiar, as if he’d done it a thousand times before.

“A very astute observation, Albi,” he replied in a light tone, making her purse her lips in disapproval.

Her gaze lingered on him, tracing the contours of his face in the dim light, noticing how relaxed he appeared, a playful glint in his eyes, reminiscent of that first time they had met.

“Fou’ad.”

“Albi.”

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Fou’ad chuckled, the sound shooting warmth across her chest, as a small grin formed across his lip, causing her frown to dissipate, as her own lips mirrored his grin.

“Perhaps my mind is too captivated by thoughts of you,” he teased, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. “Or maybe I’m just too comfortable having you here with me.”

A jolt of electricity shot up from her wrist, sending shivers down her spine. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, betraying the calm facade she was trying so hard to maintain.

She shifted slightly, turning to face him more fully, her eyes searching his. “Is that so?” she replied, infusing a hint of amusement in her tone. “And what thoughts might those be, keeping you up at this hour?”

His grin softened into a more thoughtful expression as he gazed back at her, the playful glint in his eyes lessening. “Just thoughts of how fortunate I am to have you here with me,” he said, his voice sincere. “After everything we’ve been through, I can’t help but feel grateful for this moment.”

Yaseerah’s heart fluttered at his words, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

That look in his eyes turned her insides inside out, pulling her breaths through a confusing haze of contentment, happiness and reservation.

He didn’t bother to hide his heated gaze from her, yet he also wasn’t making any moves based on it, and it made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

She could lay there and stare up at him all-night long–at his model-perfect features, his sculpted jaw, and the heat dancing in his eyes.

Her fingertips tingled to run through his hair, and without a second thought, she did. Not just because she wanted to, but because she realized that she could.

A sense of belonging swelled in her chest, feeling overwhelmingly good and almost too perfect to be true.

But she knew in her heart of hearts that it was real.

Her husband, she realized belatedly, was just…so…damn gorgeous. But it wasn’t just his features she was attracted to, it was his big heart and kind eyes, and his admirable self-control that drew her in the most.

It still amazed her how much he had lost his shit with her father, but when it came to her, he was a different person altogether.

She would’ve wondered which persona was the real him but now, she knew every facets of him she has met was just who he was.