Kaelith turned away, his back facing her as he brought fresh clothes from a closet. Amara's fingers fidgeted with the hem of her wet shirt, anxiety building within her like a thunderstorm outside. She felt exposed, vulnerable in his presence. And yet safe.
She watched him with her uncertain eyes as he moved like a lion, strides long and urgent yet a dark look looming over his chiseled face. Did she do something? Was he mad at her? Was he mad because she drenched him in the rain?
As Kaelith walked out of the closet, Amara stiffened watching him as he stormed towards her and handed her the long button-down shirt, their eyes met for a fleeting moment. Amara's breath caught in her throat as she fumbled with the buttons. The room seemed to shrink, the silence amplifying the noise of her erratic heartbeat.
Kaelith watched her with an intensity that bordered on losing control, his features rigid. The air between them crackled with unspoken words, and Amara struggled to find her voice, her gaze avoiding his.
The room felt smaller still as Kaelith moved closer, his movements controlled but his eyes revealing a storm within. He reached out, helping her with the buttons, his touch sending shivers down her spine. Amara's skin burned under his fingertips, the proximity amplifying the magnetic pull between them.
The weight of the moment hung in the air. Kaelith's tense expression mirrored Amara's internal chaos, and as he took a step back, the distance between them seemed overwhelming. His eyes travelled to her chest, the teardrop-shaped breasts begging for his attention, and her nipples erect. He licked his lips, hands clenched tight and eyes darkening.
Amara tried to avoid his eyes and held back the urge to cover her chest from his scrutinizing gaze though she couldn’t help but look at him through her lashes. His hair slicked back and fell on his forehead in damp, tousled strands that framed his masculine features. The droplets adorned his hair, giving him a domineering look. His grey eyes pierced her. Unwavering and shameless.
The upper two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, giving a glimpse of his nicely toned, broad chest. The fabric clung to his lean waist, outlining the contours of his abs and triceps. Amara's gaze followed the silhouette of his muscular, long legs through the wet slacks.
The room held its breath; the only sounds were the muted rhythm of raindrops against the window and the echo of Amara's heartbeat. With shaky hands, she put on the shirt. Another white one. She deliberately buttoned the buttons hindering his view of her chest.
He swallowed hard and leaned down. Amara yelped as his strong hands grabbed the sweatpants she was wearing and pulled them down. Her eyes widened and she quickly pulled the shirt down to cover her naked legs. Kaelith grabbed the wet clothes and with rigid posture, walked to the closet. When he came back after a minute, he had changed into grey sweats. His chest naked for her eyes to ogle. The sweatpants clung to his hips, emphasizing the sculpted contours of his muscular frame. His bare torso, defined and powerful, hinted at a strength that both captivated and intimidated.
Amara wondered why he was avoiding her eyes. He pulled the sheets back Amara’s face couldn’ t get any more, couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness as she nestled beneath the covers.
She curled herself under the sheets, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the fabric. The room seemed to shrink, and a sense of exposure washed over her. The air thickened with anticipation. Amara felt a blend of shyness and awe, curled her toes under the cool sheets. She stole glancesathim,admiringtheplayofshadowsonhischiseledfeatures.Hemovedwithaneffortless confidence, a quiet command in his every gesture.
Kaelith slid under the sheets, the mattress dipped, and the warmth of his body enveloped Amara. He pulled her closer, his bare chest pressing against her back. His breath danced along the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. Amara with racing heart felt the reassuring beat of his pulse against her skin.
Kaelith buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as if trying to capture the essence of her. His arms wrapped around her, creating a shell of safety. Amara could feel the rise and fall of his chest with each breath, a rhythmic lullaby that eased the tension within her. And something hardpoking her back. It wouldn’t take a genius to realize what it was. She just swallowedhardandclenchedherlegstight.Andthefactthatshewasnakedunderneaththe shirt just fueled her anticipation.
But Kaelith just tapped her hip when she moved too much.“Sleep, little one.” That was the first thing he said ever since their kiss in the garden.
His voice deep, and throaty. “I don’t know what I’ll do if you keep moving your hips.” Amara stiffened and weakly nodded. His arm wrapped around her waist, and nothing could replace the warmth his body emitted. Closing her eyes, she let herself relax in his embrace.
Forgetting all the morals of the world, that night Amara slept in arms of the man she shouldn’t want, the man who was equally dangerous and her brother-in-law.
CHAPTER 52
Amara stirred in the soft morning light that streamed through the curtains, the golden glow casting a warm hue on the room. The air carried the refreshing scent of rain-kissed earth, a reminder of the storm that had passed. Groggily, she opened her eyes, feeling a sense of confusion until the memories of the night before flooded back.
As the sleepiness wavered, Amara became conscious of strong arms encircling her waist, a comforting warmth pressed against her back. She blinked, the details of the room coming into focus, and then turned her head slightly to find Kaelith sleeping peacefully beside her. His tousled hair and relaxed expression softened the rugged edges of his features.
Her cheeks flushed as she felt something warm tickling her neck. Kaelith had nuzzled into the crook of her neck, his breath sending a gentle shiver down her spine. She couldn't help but feel tingles at the unexpected tenderness.
Growing more aware, Amara shifted, attempting to free herself from Kaelith's embrace. However, as if sensing her movement, he tightened his hold, pulling her closer. The warmth of his body enveloped her. His grip on her waist became more protective.
Dejectedly, Amara sighed. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the comfort of his arms and drifted to sleep.
****
Amara's eyes fluttered open to a cold emptiness beside her. The warmth that had surrounded her moments ago was gone. Confused, she sat up, the sheets slipping from her shoulders. Glancing around the room, she saw Kaelith by the window, his back facing her. The soft morning light outlined his silhouette, and for a moment, she couldn't help but admire the handsome man.
He still was dressed only in a pair of sweats, and a naked torso. She couldn’t help but clench her legs tight. His back muscles were rippling under the shy rays of the sun, and his biceps flexing as he moved his hand to run through his hair.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Amara climbed out of bed, the cool floor beneath her feet sending a shiver through her. Wrapping herself in a nearby blanket, she padded towards the window, where Kaelith was engaged in a conversation on his phone. His voice, low and deep, held a sense of authority that resonated with the glimpse of him she'd seen last night.
Not wanting to disturb him, she slipped away, making her way to the bathroom. As the door closed behind her, she took a moment to collect her thoughts. The events of the previous night lingered in her mind, and a faint blush tinted her cheeks at the memory. She freshened up, the cold water waking her senses, and when she opened the bathroom door, she found Kaelith no longer on the phone.
Quietly stepping into the main area of the room, Amara saw Kaelith seated on the couch. Papers werescatteredonthecoffeetable,andheseemedengrossedinthem,andapaperbagathis side.
Kaelith glanced up sensing her presence, his intense gaze locking onto Amara's. Caught in the moment, she swallowed, feeling a warmth rise in her cheeks. There was a certainvulnerability in the way he looked at her as if peeling away the layers of her skin and caressing her soul with his bare gaze.
