The night air is cool against my skin as I step outside, the moonlight casting an eerie glow across the mansion grounds. I shiver, though not from the chill.
My heart pounds as I make my way toward the shadows of the garden, nerves and anticipation churning inside me.
This clandestine meeting with Morello feels dangerous, forbidden. And it is.
But I can't resist the magnetic pull I feel toward him, this man who has shown me both tenderness and strength when I needed it most.
I both long for and fear what might pass between us in the secrecy of the night.
"Alina," his voice comes, low and smooth as velvet. I turn to find him emerging from the darkness, his tall frame backlit by the moon.
My breath catches at the intensity in his eyes.
He moves toward me, tilting my chin up with a gentle finger until our gazes locked.
"You don't need to be afraid of me," he murmurs. "I told you, we're in this together now."
My lips part, but no words come out.
His face is so close to mine, his earthy, masculine scent enveloping my senses.
I want to melt against him, to trust in the sincerity of his words. But the specters of my past hold me back, whispering warnings of betrayal.
Sensing my hesitation, Morello trails his fingers down my neck in a feather-light caress.
"Let me prove it to you," he whispers before his mouth claims mine in a searing kiss.
My reservations burn away in the heat of his passion, my body coming alive under his touch.
For this one perfect moment, the darkness doesn't seem so threatening after all.
When we finally break apart, I'm breathless.
Morello's eyes search mine, his strong hands still cradling my face.
"Alina..." he begins, but I silence him with a shake of my head.
"We shouldn't have done that," I say, my voice unsteady.
As much as my body sings from his kiss, my mind is awhirl with doubt.
We have far more pressing concerns than exploring this dangerous attraction.
Morello nods, his jaw tightening. "You're right. This isn't the time. I'm sorry."
He releases me and stepped back, his face becoming an unreadable mask.
I immediately miss his warmth, but try to ignore the pang in my chest. There are more lives at stake here than just ours.
We turn our focus back to finalizing the escape plans, speaking in hushed tones as we check our supplies and go over the route again.
Morello is all business once more, but I can't stop replaying the kiss in my mind. I've kissed my fair share of men, but I've never felt anything like that before.
But is it real, or just another manipulation from a man claiming to want to help me?
"We need to move," Morello says abruptly, snapping me from my thoughts.
His eyes dart around warily before coming to rest on mine. In them I see understanding and regret.