𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑫𝒚𝒏𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒚

𝟑𝟗

The night sky was vast and endless, a dark canvas studded with a multitude of stars. The stars twinkled and shone, their lights dancing in the inky backdrop.

The sight of the milky way painted across the heavens was breathtaking, its swirling arms of light stretching as far as the eye could see.

She lay there on the terrace, her head resting on the soft cushion as she watched the stars, entranced by their beauty.

She tried to make out shapes in the patterns of the stars and imagine what they might represent.

She would also occasionally shift her position, rolling onto her side or propping herself up on her elbows to get a different angle on the stars.

"Can't sleep, hmn?"

She sat up quickly, looking around to see who had spoken. Her eyes landed on a shadowy figure standing a few feet away from her, leaning against the railing of the terrace.

She swallowed nervously, her heart rate increasing slightly as she tried to get a better look at the person. "Who are you?" she breathed, her voice coming out a little shakier than she would have liked.

He chuckled softly in the darkness, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "Just a visitor to your little stargazing session," he said, his voice low and sardonic.

He stepped out of the dark the soft glows of the lights on the terrace complimenting his face.

Her lips parted slightly as she took his whole appearsnce in. He was wearing a black set, and his dark hair was tousled and messy falling across his forehead making him look even more ethereal.

His eyes were dark and intense, and the ghost of a smirk played on his lips as he ran his tongue over his lower dry lip.

He slowly sauntered towards her, his footsteps silent and measured. He looked completely at ease, as if he had every right to be on this terrace at this time of night.

He came to a stop a few feet away from her, his eyes roaming over her body. She could feel his gaze like a physical touch on her skin, leaving a trail of heat wherever it landed.

He crossed his arms over his chest, his muscles flexing slightly under his shirt, and leaned against the railing casually. His smirk grew wider as he spoke, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

"You didn't answer my question," he said, tilting his head to the side and studying her intently.

She cleared her throat, trying to ignore the way her heart was wrestling in her chest. "What question?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

He chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving her face. "I asked if you couldn't sleep princess," he said.

She shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze, feeling like she was being studied under a microscope. "I could sleep," she said, lifting her chin slightly in a show of defiance. "I just chose not to."

He chuckled softly, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Defiance, I see," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "I like that."

He stepped even closer, closing the gap between them until he was standing only a few inches away from her. He was much taller than her, towering over her small frame as she stood up.

She could feel the heat emanating from his body, and the scent of his cologne wafted over her, a heady blend of musk and something darker and more mysterious. His eyes were dark and intense as he looked down at her, his gaze flickering over her face and lingering on her lips.

He reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch barely grazing her skin but leaving a trail of electricity in its wake. "You know, not sleeping can be dangerous," he said, his voice taking on a more ominous tone.

"Dangerous how?" she asked, her voice coming out breathless.

He chuckled again, but this time there was an edge to it. "Oh, you have no idea," he said, his hand moving from her hair to rest on her shoulder.

"There are things that go bump in the night, princess. Things that prey on those who are foolish enough to wander around in the dark, alone and vulnerable."

She gasped softly as his hand made contact with her skin, his touch sending shivers down her spine. The way he was talking, combined with his intense gaze and the way he was standing so close to her, was making her feel uneasy and excitement.

She took a shaky breath, trying to steady her racing heart. "S-stay away," she said, her voice coming out a trembling whisper.

But he didn't move away. Instead, he leaned in even closer, his body now pressing against hers. She could feel the hard planes of his chest against her softness, and his breath was warm on her face.

"And if I don't want to stay away?" he asked, his voice dropping to a deep murmur.

She swallowed hard, her heart racing even faster now. She could feel the heat of his body against hers and the intensity of his gaze as he looked down at her.

She wanted to pull away, to put some space between them and regain her composure, but her body was frozen in place.

His hand on her shoulder tightened slightly, keeping her in place as he moved even closer still. His lips were mere inches away from her ear now, and she could feel his hot breath on her skin.

"What if I told you that I had no intention of staying away?" he whispered, smirking, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

Her breath caught in her throat as his words washed over her, the sultry tone of his voice sending a jolt of desire through her body. She was torn between wanting to push him away and wanting to pull him closer.

She pushed against his chest, trying to put some space between them. "Stay away from me, V," she said, her breath coming out in pants. "I'm capable of anything and everything."

She turned away from him and began to walk down the terrace, her footsteps shaky and uneven.

"And that's what draws me closer to you."

She stopped in her tracks, turning back to look at him. She didn't want to want him, didn't want to be drawn in by his presence. But his words had a strange effect on her.

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into," she shot back. "I'm not some damsel in distress who needs saving."

She turned away again, her hair swaying with the cold wind. Part of her was tempted to stay, to see what would happen if she let him get closer. But another part was afraid, afraid of what it would mean to let him into her life. In the end, she forced herself to continue walking away.