"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope you will give me." Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Veronica

The first rays of dawn crept through the gap in the curtains, painting the room in a soft, golden light. I stirred in Saint's arms, feeling the warmth of his body against mine, the steady rhythm of his breathing a soothing lullaby. Last night… last night had been a dream. A whirlwind of laughter, music, and a connection I never thought possible. A night of firsts. It was a night where I finally let go of the fear, the uncertainty, and allowed myself to feel. And what I felt… was overwhelming.

My mind drifted back to the moment in the hotel room, the air thick with unspoken desire. His eyes, dark and intense, reflecting the same longing I felt within me. The tentative touch, the hesitant kiss that quickly escalated into a consuming fire. It was more than just passion; it was a connection on a deeper level, a merging of souls. He made me feel safe, cherished, and desired. And in his arms, I felt… home. It was a feeling I never wanted to let go of. A feeling I craved more than anything.

I glanced up at Saint, his face relaxed in sleep, his dark hair tousled across his forehead. He looked so peaceful, so vulnerable in this moment. A stark contrast to the strong, ever-watchful man he usually was. My fingers traced the line of his jaw, the faint stubble rough against my skin. I thought about how he’d been on edge all night, his gaze constantly scanning the room, a silent protector. He carried the weight of my safety on his shoulders, a burden he bore without complaint. And yet, even with that weight, he’d allowed himself to be present, to share those precious moments with me. He’d danced with me, laughed with me, and… he’d loved me. The thought sent a shiver of warmth through me.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

He stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open, a soft smile gracing his lips. The smile he reserved just for me.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, my heart fluttering at the intimacy of the moment. The intimacy of sharing this quiet morning, this moment of peace, with him.

We lay there for a while longer, tangled together in comfortable silence, the memories of the night before swirling through my mind. The laughter with Hayley, the hesitant dance with Saint, the stolen kisses that had ignited a fire within me I never knew existed. And then… the hotel room, the unspoken tension, the surrender to a passion that had been building between us for weeks.

It had been… "perfect. More than perfect. It was as if every touch, every kiss, and every shared breath was magnified, intensified, as if the universe itself was conspiring to bring us together.

But as the memories of the night faded, a familiar sense of unease crept in. The real world was waiting, the world of threats and uncertainty. I knew that Saint was still worried, that he suspected something was wrong. And as much as I wanted to ignore it, to pretend that everything was okay, I couldn’t shake the feeling that danger was lurking just around the corner.

Suddenly, the need to feel that connection again, to lose myself in him one more time before facing the day, overwhelmed me. I leaned in, kissing him deeply, my hands finding their way to his chest. He responded instantly, his body pressing against mine, his hands roaming my back, pulling me closer.

"I have an idea," I whispered against his lips, a mischievous glint in my eyes.

Moments later, we were in the spacious shower, the warm water cascading over our bodies, mingling with the heat of our passion. The steamy confines of the shower stall amplified the intimacy, the slickness of our skin heightening the sensations. We made love again, slow and sensual, savoring every touch, every kiss, every shared breath. It was a perfect way to start the day, a reminder of the connection we shared, the strength we found in each other.

As we finally emerged from the shower, refreshed and invigorated, Saint turned to me, his eyes filled with a warmth that melted my heart. "I'm going with you," he said, his voice firm.

"But… today was supposed to be your day off," I protested gently, remembering that one of his other guys was supposed to be on my detail today.

"No buts," he said, his voice gentle but unwavering. "I'm not letting you out of my sight. Not today."

And as I looked into his eyes, I knew that he meant it. He would be my shadow, my protector, my constant companion. And in that moment, I realized that I wouldn't have it any other way. Because with him by my side, I could face anything.