Turn the Music on. If it can't turn on, it's on youtube. "Emotional Nostalgic Music: "A Promise Kept" — Luke Richards"

>>Amber

I stared at him, my pupils shaking as he stared back.

He let go of my wrists, the sudden release making me gasp, but before I could even think to move, his arms slid around my waist, pulling me against him. My body collided with his, my heartbeat stumbling as the heat of his chest pressed into me.

!!!!

He smirked, "This feeling where I want you to be obsessed with me again," His hands slipped down. Dangerously down, ""All I want you to think about is me." And I felt a jolt of electricity run through me.

It was too much

Too much!

My heart couldn't handle it.

The closeness, the way his words seemed to weave into my thoughts, taking hold of every coherent idea I had and twisting it into something else. Something that made me want him in ways I wasn't prepared to admit out loud.

"Too much," I whispered, feeling the heat bloom in my cheeks. My hands trembled at my sides, unsure of where to place them. Should I push him away? Hold him closer? My heart couldn't handle this intensity, this tension that seemed to crackle between us

Hael's lips brushed close to my ear, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Too much what?" he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. "Hmm?"

I swallowed hard, my pulse racing in my throat. There was a challenge in his voice, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me, how my body was betraying me with every rapid heartbeat, every shaky breath. His hand rested at the small of my back, his fingers pressing lightly into the fabric of my shirt, sending a wave of heat through me.

"I—" I didn't know what to say. My head was spinning, thoughts scattering in every direction as I tried to make sense of this moment.

Was he teasing me? What for?!?!

"What are you doing?" I asked, "What does this mean?" I wanted clear answers.

Before I could gather my thoughts, he leaned in closer, his lips barely brushing my temple, a featherlight touch that set my nerves on fire. "You're all I think about, Orenya," He whispered. His voice was softer now, the playfulness gone, replaced with something deeper, something that made my heart ache. "You don't know how much of my thoughts are consumed solely by you."

!!!

I couldn't breathe. His words wrapped around me, sinking deep into my chest, and I felt a warmth there that had nothing to do with his touch yet everything to do with him.

I looked up at him, my mouth dry, my thoughts a jumble of emotions I didn't know how to process. "Hael, I..."

He didn't let me finish. His hand came up, gently cupping my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek. His touch was tender, a stark contrast to the tension that had been building between us moments before. "I don't care what happened in the past," He said, his voice low, steady. "I don't care about anything except this." His eyes softened as he searched mine.

The way my pupils were shaking when I looked into his eyes mirrored how my heart throbbed.

The feeling inside my heart swelled. I could finally see where this was going.

"With or without these past memories, my answer remains the same." He said , "I love you. I always have. Even when I shouldn't have."

!!!

It was like a blow. An arrow to the heart. One that shot, pierced and then eliminated the whole world around us.

But the weight of his words hit me like a wave, crashing over me, leaving me reeling.

Love

That word hung in the air between us, filling the space that had once been so full of uncertainty and fear. He loved me—despite everything, despite all the hurt I had caused him.

"I..." My throat tightened, and I felt a sting in the back of my eyes. It was overwhelming, the way he was looking at me, the way his love seemed to wrap around me like a safety net. I didn't deserve it—I knew that much.

I lowered my gaze, my cheeks burning with the sudden intensity of the moment. "I don't know if I... " I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Don't," He cut me off. His hand tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes again, "Just tell me how you feel. Leave everything else behind." I stared at him, "The past is gone. And we don't have much time now." His voice was so lovely, it got my body to tremble, "Tell me,"

My feelings?

"My feelings have been obvious since day one." I whispered,

"Say it," He demanded

"I..." I started again, my voice shaky, but I didn't stop. "I love you too, Hael." The words came out soft, almost fragile, as if speaking them aloud made them real, made them something I couldn't take back. "I always have. So much that I can't lay it out with words."

The smile that spread across his face was unlike anything I had ever seen before—full of warmth, of relief, of something deep and unspoken that had been buried between us for too long.

He pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me. I leaned into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my own, the warmth of his body grounding me in a moment.

Oh

How I've longed for this!

We stayed like that for a while. I could hear the steady rhythm of Hael's heartbeat against my chest, feel the warmth of his skin seeping through the fabric of his clothes.

But then, slowly, Hael loosened his hold on me. His hands slid from my back, lingering at my waist as we pulled apart, just enough to look at each other. His eyes softened as they locked onto mine, and I felt a familiar heat rise to my cheeks, my pulse quickening.

His gaze flicked to my lips for just a second, and my breath hitched.

I knew what was coming, and my heart fluttered in anticipation,

His hands shifted, one coming up to gently cradle my face, his thumb brushing lightly against my cheek. The touch was so soft, so careful, as if he was afraid I might disappear if he moved too quickly.

I gulped softly

Hael leaned in, and my pulse raced, my entire body tingling with the nearness of him. The anticipation was almost unbearable, the space between us shrinking until his breath was warm on my lips.

It was barely a touch at first but it sent a shiver down my spine, every nerve in my body coming alive at once.

Then the kiss deepened, still soft but more sure now, more real. His lips were warm, tender, moving slowly, savoring each second

My eyes fluttered shut, and I melted into the kiss. His other hand slid from my cheek, down to the back of my neck, holding me gently but firmly, like he didn't want to let go. My own hands, which had been frozen in hesitation, found their way to his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt

It may have started slow, soft, but it had started and it began to build up heat, a slow burn spreading through my body. Hael's hand slid from the back of my neck to tangle in my hair, his fingers tightening slightly as he pulled me closer. The gentle press of his lips shifted, becoming more demanding, more insistent.

His lips moved against mine with more intensity. something that made my entire body ache with need. His hand at my waist tightened, pulling me even closer until there was no space left between us, his chest firm against mine, the heat radiating from him making my head spin.

I gasped against his mouth, and in that brief moment, he took the chance to slip his tongue between my lips. It was slow, teasing at first, and I felt a shiver run through me as he explored my mouth.

I hesitated for just a moment, my mind spinning from the sudden intensity, but then I let him in, surrendering to the sensation of his tongue sliding against mine.

My God!! Oh MY God!!!!

The kiss became rougher, more passionate, the hunger in his touch now unmistakable. His tongue moved deeper, exploring every corner of my mouth, and I couldn't help the soft whimper that escaped my throat as I responded in kind.

My hands gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him closer, wanting—needing—more.

Every brush of his tongue against mine sent a fresh wave of heat through me, a dizzying mixture of desire and excitement that left me breathless.

Hael's fingers tightened in my hair, tugging just enough to send another thrill through me, and I couldn't help but press myself even harder against him. The kiss was wild now, all restraint gone, and I felt myself melting into him, every nerve in my body alive with the electric charge of his touch.

My legs felt weak, my knees tingling

The sensations were making my mind go blank, I couldn't think straight at all but I gave myself over completely to the way he was devouring me, the way he was taking control.

The intensity of the kiss making me lightheaded, but Hael held me firmly, his grip on me steady as if he was anchoring me to him. His tongue continued to explore my mouth, the slick heat of it sending sparks down my spine. I matched his pace, my own tongue sliding against his, the taste of him flooding my senses.

I felt his hand go under my dress

And I won't lie, the whole thing was so mind blowing, it started to get me wet.