99: LOOK AT ME

In the quiet of the evening, as the house settles into a serene hush, I find myself standing before William’s door, heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. With a soft exhale, I knock gently again and wait, the weight of my thoughts heavy in the stillness.

When an answer doesn’t come, I try the knob.

The door creaks open, revealing the space beyond, dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. He stands there, a black shirt balled up in his hands. The sight is both familiar and intimate, his back muscles flexing as he returns the shirt into a drawer.

He begins to unbutton the shirt he’s wearing, movements slow and deliberate, as if lost in thought. Unbeknownst to him, I step back, retreating into the shadows. An involuntary blush warms my cheeks as my gaze lingers, a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability mingling within me.

It’s not like I’ve never seen him shirtless, but still…

He turns slightly, catching a flicker of movement, and freezes. Caught in the act, I