The gentle clink of silverware filled the spacious dining room, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly prepared food. Olivia stood at the edge of the table, her brow slightly furrowed with concern as she watched Sebastian attempt to eat. He was still in recovery, his movements deliberate and uncharacteristically slow, but he bore the discomfort silently, a hint of determination in his eyes. “Eat,” she urged gently, pulling out a sturdy chair across from him. “You need your strength to get back on your feet.” Her voice was firm yet laced with warmth, underscoring the deep bond they shared.Sebastian lifted his gaze, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and gratitude. He raised his fork slowly, savoring every bite as if to savor the moment itself. Olivia had not even managed to take a mouthful of her own meal when the sudden chime of her phone pierced the serene atmosphere, shattering the comfortable silence that enveloped them. Both th
Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed, his posture tense as he adjusted to the weight of the plaster cast that encased his right arm. The stark white of the cast stood out against his tanned skin, a painful reminder of his recent accident. He had already summoned Olivia's help earlier, but now, as she hovered in the doorway, uncertainty crept into her expression. The sight of his injuries—a deep bruise spreading across his forearm and the sharp angles of the cast—unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. "Go on," he urged, his voice low but firm, laced with a hint of frustration.Nodding slowly, she moved closer, her fingertips lightly grazing the cold, damp buttons of his bloodstained shirt. With each careful tug, she undid them one by one, feeling the fabric's rough texture beneath her fingers. She fought to ignore the way his chest rose and fell—a steady rhythm that sent a jolt of awareness coursing through her. As she continued, the air around them grew thick with unspoken tens
The room is enveloped in a serene silence, punctuated only by the gentle, distant chirping of birds outside the open window, their melodies drifting in like whispers of hope. Olivia stands by the weathered dresser, her fingers gripping its edge tightly, as if using it for support against a tide of swirling thoughts and emotions. She feels the weight of unspoken words pressing down on her. Behind her, Sebastian sits on the edge of the bed, the rumpled sheets a stark contrast to his stillness. His shirt hangs loosely, unbuttoned, allowing glimpses of the bandages that wrap around his torso, stark white against his tanned skin. The wound on his side is fresh, a dark bruise blooming around the stitches, a painful testament to the chaos of last night’s events still etched into the fabric of their reality. "You should be resting," she murmurs softly, her voice barely breaking the silence, her gaze fixed on the natural light filtering through the window. "I’d rather have you by my side,"
Olivia hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding as she processed Sebastian’s request. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jawline and the intensity in his eyes. He didn’t say a word—just lifted his uninjured arm slightly, an unspoken invitation. Swallowing hard, she finally gave in, cautiously lowering herself onto the bed beside him. As she settled in, he guided her closer, his free arm curling around her shoulders. The warmth of his body was unsettling, both foreign and oddly comforting. “You’re tense,” Sebastian murmured, his breath fanning against her temple. “Relax.” Olivia couldn’t. Every nerve in her body was on edge, aware of how close they were. She wanted to resist, to keep her guard up, but exhaustion and the weight of everything that had happened drained her resolve. Slowly, her body eased, molding into his warmth despite the voice in her head warning her against it. A satisfied hum rumbled in
Sebastian’s lips moved against hers with slow, deliberate intensity, his grip firm on her waist as if anchoring her to him. Olivia could feel the heat radiating off his body, the possessiveness in the way his fingers traced her spine. But just as she was starting to lose herself in the kiss, he tensed.A sharp inhale. A hiss of pain.She felt it instantly—the way his body stiffened beneath her, the slight tremor in his fingers as his injured arm betrayed him."Sebastian," Olivia whispered, pulling back just enough to search his face. "Your arm—"His jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation passing through his dark eyes. "It’s nothing," he muttered, shaking his head as if dismissing the pain could make it disappear.But Olivia wasn’t convinced. Her fingers instinctively reached for his wounded arm, concern etched across her face. "You need to be careful," she insisted softly, her touch hesitant but firm.Before she could say more, Sebastian acted. With a sharp movement, he tightened his h
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as Olivia moved around the dining area, setting the cups on the table. The morning felt quieter than usual, though she wasn’t sure if it was the house or just the weight in her chest.Sebastian sat at the head of the table, idly swirling the spoon in his cup. His movements were smooth but calculated, as if testing the limits of his recently freed hand. He hadn’t said much since waking up, yet she could feel his gaze on her—watching, waiting.She finally sat across from him, focusing on her plate, but the silence stretched thick between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable. It was expectant."How does it feel?" she asked, nodding toward his hand, though she didn’t really need an answer.Sebastian flexed his fingers slightly before resting his palm on the table. "Strange. Lighter. But it still aches.""You should be careful," she said, stirring her coffee, hoping the simplicity of conversation would keep the air from tightening around them
Olivia entered the house, feeling drained from the long day at work. She slipped off her heels near the entrance and let out a small sigh before walking further inside. The house was quiet, except for the low sound of the television coming from the living room.As she stepped in, she saw Sebastian sitting on the couch, one arm resting on the backrest while his eyes were fixed on the screen. The dim lighting in the room cast shadows on his sharp features, making his expression unreadable. A half-empty glass of whiskey sat on the table beside him.“You’re still awake?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended.Sebastian didn’t look at her immediately. He exhaled, keeping his gaze on the television. “Couldn’t sleep.”Something in his tone made Olivia uneasy, but she ignored it. She moved to the other side of the room, maintaining a bit of distance. “I didn’t expect you to be here,” she said after a moment.This time, Sebastian turned his head toward her. His eyes, dark and intense,
The soft clinking of cutlery against fine china had faded into silence. The dining room was dimly lit, the chandelier above casting a warm glow over the polished mahogany table. The scent their dinner and freshly baked croissants still lingered in the air, but Olivia could hardly focus on anything except the man sitting dangerously close to her.Sebastian.His presence was overwhelming, his body angled toward hers, his knee just barely brushing against hers beneath the table. The heat of him, the quiet intensity in his gaze, made her breath unsteady. He had barely touched his food, but his appetite seemed to be fixated elsewhere.Olivia lowered her gaze to her lap, gripping the napkin between her fingers. She knew what was coming. She had felt it in the way his eyes lingered on her, in the way his fingers toyed lazily with the rim of his coffee cup.Then, his voice—low, husky, laced with something dark—broke the silence."I’m completely fine now… and in a position to do anything."Oli
The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the soft, silvery glow of the moon as it seeped through the delicate, sheer curtains. Shadows danced across the walls, creating a tranquil yet tense atmosphere. Olivia stirred restlessly beneath the covers, a frown creasing her brow as she felt an all-too-familiar discomfort start to unfurl within her. At first, it was merely a dull cramp—an unwelcome but not unusual visitor. Yet soon, the sensation intensified, becoming sharper and more insistent, catching her breath in the back of her throat.She shifted uncomfortably, pushing aside the sheets to press a trembling hand against her abdomen. The pain was no longer confined; it wrapped around her like a tightening band, squeezing with relentless pressure. A wave of panic fluttered in her chest, each thud of her heart echoing in the stillness of the night."Not now," she whispered, her voice quivering with fear and desperation as another relentless wave crashed over her, leaving
The soft, golden glow of the morning sun filtered through the delicate sheer curtains, casting a warm, inviting light that danced across the spacious bedroom. Olivia sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gently resting over her swollen belly, as if cradling the life within. A deep sigh escaped her lips, a small and somewhat defeated gesture, as she gazed blankly at the floor, lost in thought.Sebastian emerged from the walk-in closet, his crisp white shirt neatly pressed, sleeves rolled up to reveal his toned forearms. The sharpness of his deep brown eyes immediately honed in on her troubled expression. After years of being together, he could read her like an open book. He recognized that look all too well — it was the unmistakable sign of trouble brewing beneath the surface.“What’s wrong, little bird?” he asked softly, his voice a gentle caress aimed at breaking through the fog that surrounded her. There was a careful quality to his tone, a mix of concern and tenderness, as if he
Sebastian leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed tightly over his chest, watching Olivia as she tried to reach for a fallen book on the floor. Her pregnant belly, now prominent at six months, seemed to make even the simplest of tasks a formidable challenge. He could see the frustration etched on her face, a mix of determination and exasperation.“Olivia, please stop that,” he said firmly, pushing himself away from the door and stepping closer.She let out an annoyed huff, her fingers straining to grasp the book just out of reach. “Sebastian, it’s just a book. I can pick it up myself,” she insisted, her tone a blend of stubbornness and pride.Not willing to let her continue, he knelt down, his knee creaking slightly as he bent. He swiftly grabbed the book and set it on the table with a deliberate motion. “You’re not supposed to bend over like that, especially now,” he said, concern lacing his voice.Olivia looked at him, her brow furrowing slightly. Despite his protective instincts
Olivia sat cross-legged on the well-worn couch, the soft fabric of the cushions cradling her as she anxiously fidgeted with the edges of a small, white gift box that was delicately wrapped in a pale blue ribbon. The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on her surroundings and illuminating her nervous fingers that kept tracing the ribbon’s neat bow. After hours of deliberation, she had finally settled on a way to share her exciting news with him. It was simple yet deeply meaningful—she wanted it to capture the essence of this new chapter in their lives. Inside the box lay a tiny onesie, perfectly soft to the touch, with the cheerful words “Daddy’s Little Sidekick” printed across the front in playful letters. The onesie was so small that it fit snugly in her hands, and even just the sight of it sent a wave of warmth and anticipation coursing through her. She closed her eyes for a moment, imagining their future baby adoringly dressed in it, giggling and reac
Sebastian’s arms were enveloped around Olivia as he slept soundly, his face nestled against the soft curve of her neck. There was a sense of safety in his embrace, an instinctual tightness that conveyed his fear of losing her, even in slumber. Olivia couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him, her fingers gently trailing along his strong jawline. A year ago, she would never have envisioned this—living a life filled with genuine happiness alongside a man who had once instilled fear in her heart. The obsessive, possessive Sebastian she had initially known had transformed, evolving into someone she now couldn’t imagine living without.As if sensing her unyielding gaze, Sebastian stirred, instinctively tightening his embrace. His lips brushed lazily against her shoulder, and through the thick veil of sleep, he murmured in his deep, husky voice, “Watching me again, little bird?”Olivia stifled a soft laugh, feeling warmth spread through her chest. “Maybe.”His dark, expressive eyes flutt
The morning sun poured through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow that danced softly across the walls of the cozy bedroom. Olivia, still wrapped in the delightfully smooth silky sheets, stretched lazily, her limbs comfortably entangled with Sebastian’s. It had been a month since they exchanged their feelings, yet each morning felt like a new, exquisite page in a never-ending dream—one she never wanted to awaken from.A strong, familiar arm tightened around her waist, pulling her irresistibly closer to the comforting warmth of her husband’s body. She could feel his breath, warm and gentle, brushing against the nape of her neck as he buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of their shared intimacy.“You’re awake,” he murmured softly against her skin, his voice still thick with the remnants of sleep.She smiled, her heart lightening at the sound of his voice, and turned to face him, their bodies mirroring the curve of the morning light. “So are you,” she replied pla
The air between them hung thick with unspoken words and raw emotions, charged with a tension that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. It was as if the very atmosphere crackled with the weight of what they had both avoided acknowledging until this pivotal moment.Olivia’s vision blurred, tears welling up as she gazed at him, truly seeing him for the first time. Every line of his face, every subtle shift of his expression, resonated with the depth of his feelings. She had always sensed the intensity of his obsession, the relentless devotion that seemed to bind him to her. Yet, standing before him now, everything crystallized into sharp focus; she understood something profound and undeniable.A small part of her had been in denial, fiercely resisting the emotional pull he had on her heart. But as she observed his chest rising and falling unevenly, the sweat glistening on his brow, and the way his hands clenched tightly at his sides—straining against the urge to bridg
The car rolls to a stop, and an enveloping silence descends around them, punctuated only by the gentle rustling of leaves in the soft breeze. The hum of the engine dies away, leaving a tranquil stillness in its wake. He exits the vehicle first, the cool air brushing against his skin, and strides purposefully to her side.With a practiced elegance, he opens the door, his hand extending toward her like an unspoken promise. “Come,” he invites, his tone laced with a calm authority.For a brief moment, she hesitates, the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air between them. But then, drawn by an inexplicable trust, she places her hand into his, feeling the warmth of his grip as he gently guides her out. The world around them is alive with the sweet whispers of nature, the faint floral scent wrapping around her like a delicate shawl. Yet, before she can fully take in the vibrant hues of the blooming landscape, he produces a silky blindfold from his pocket.“Trust me?” His voice is smooth,
Olivia blinked awake, her senses gently stirred by the delicate touch of soft rose petals fluttering onto her skin, each one whispering a sweet allure of morning. As she sat up, her surprise turned to wonder, watching in awe as deep red petals cascaded gracefully from the ceiling fan above, twirling like dancers in slow motion. A small, delighted smile bloomed on her lips—this unexpected shower of roses felt ethereal, intimate, almost as if she had stumbled from the realm of dreams into a waking fantasy. Her gaze wandered to the bedside table, where a meticulously arranged tray awaited her. The warm, buttery aroma of freshly baked croissants wafted through the air, mingling harmoniously with the rich scent of her favorite coffee, still steaming in a beautifully crafted mug. A bowl of perfectly sliced fruits—vividly colored strawberries, succulent oranges, and plump blueberries—sat invitingly, a feast for both the eye and palate. Yet, what truly captivated her was the elegant note res