Page 113 of Before Dawn

“Y me gustas,52 so we’re even,” he said, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Y me gustas. And I like you.

This man. This man. He was one of a kind. The kind you cherish. The kind you protect.

I glanced down, suddenly realizing I was still in my sleepwear, and a wave of dread washed over me.

Fuck.

I’d forgotten to change.

Heat crept up my neck. “I—I should go change,” I mumbled, taking a step back. But before I could move, his fingers curled around my wrist, gentle yet firm.

“Change? Why?” His brow furrowed, gaze sweeping over me like he couldn’t understand why I’d even suggest it.

“I’m… underdressed.” The words felt small.

His head tilted, slow, assessing. “Red, it’s nighttime. You’re in pajamas. You’re not underdressed.”

A sigh slipped out before I could stop it. Joshua’s voice echoed in my head, old wounds stirring.

Cover up.

You’re embarrassing.

You look desperate.

I swallowed. “I couldn’t be out showing this much skin with m—”

Mikkel kissed me.

Hard. With a hunger that made it feel like I was the air he needed to breathe.

Like he needed me to understand something words couldn’t explain.

Like he wanted to erase every cruel whisper in my head.

“You’reperfect,” he murmured against my lips, his voice steady, unshakable. “There’s nothing wrong with showing skin,amor.”

I wanted to believe him. But Joshua’s voice still clung to me like smoke.

“Hey.” Mikkel’s fingers found my chin, tilting my face until our eyes met. His gaze, dark and unwavering, held me in place. “Your past doesn’t define you, neither do the words of anyone from it.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

He didn’t push. He just saw me.

Then, softer this time, he said, “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see.” A ghost of a smile played on his lips.

Before I could overthink or protest, he led me to the car, opening the door like always. I slid into the seat, the city lights blurring past in soft streaks. The low hum of the engine, the familiar playlist—Songs for You—playing in the background.

The drive felt like a dream, suspended between reality and something more.

When the car finally stopped, I stepped out, and my breath hitched.

---