Page 151 of Before Dawn

“I’m sorry I made you cry,” he whispered, his thumb brushing a stray tear from my cheek.

I let out a watery laugh. “Of all the tears I’ve shed in my lifetime, these are worth it. Mikkel, tonight. You… everything you’ve done. The bouquet. The pictures. The song titles. The letter. I’ve never… I can’t put it into words. You make my heart and soul happy.”

His expression softened, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slow, adoring smile. “I’m glad I could,mi reina.73” He paused, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to my forehead.

“And before I forget,” he continued, reaching for the back of the letter, “I translated the Spanish for you.”

His voice was soft as he read aloud:

“You make me feel like I’m in a dream, my love. When you say you’re here with me, everything bad fades away, as if your presence alone brightens even the darkest moments. Anxiety recedes, and in your embrace, I find peace. I neverimagined I could feel something so profound. Life becomes more beautiful, more luminous, since I have you. Your green eyes, so intense, envelop me completely. When you look at me, the whole world disappears, and only you and I exist.”

My breath hitched as his words sank into my skin, deeper than ink, deeper than memory.

I reached for him, cupping his face, and pressed a kiss to his lips—soft, slow, lingering. He exhaled into it, his hands cradling my waist as he pulled me closer.

When I pulled back, I searched his face, my heart pounding with certainty. “I never thought I could feel like this, but with you, everything feels right.”

His fingers brushed a loose curl from my cheek, his gaze warm, reverent. “You’re my dream, Red.”

The weight of his words lingered between us, heavy with unspoken desire. My pulse thrummed as I took in the way his eyes darkened, the way his fingers flexed slightly where they rested against my hip.

“I want you,” I whispered.

His brows furrowed slightly, as if deciphering my meaning.

I tilted my chin up, my gaze steady. “You heard me.”

Something flickered in his eyes—understanding, hunger, restraint fraying. The air grew thick, charged.

He brushed his lips over mine, a whisper of tenderness before urgency took hold. His hands roamed, tracing every curve as if memorizing me.

Fingers grazing my thigh, he pressed gently, drawing a soft moan he silenced with another kiss—pulling me closer, unwilling to let even a breath of space remain.

And I didn’t want there to be.

“Please,” I whispered, my voice barely audible but filled with longing.

“The first time I get to fuck you won’t be here,” he whispered.

I couldn’t convey my words and most importantly, I’ve never seen this side of Mikkel, and fuck, I was loving it.

The quiet ones always have the dirtiest mouths.

Thank God.

“Mikkel,” I whispered, my voice trembling with anticipation.

“I’ll make you cum tonight, but I’ll never fuck you for anyone to see,” he murmured, his eyes smoldering with a mix of possessiveness and desire.

“Why?”

“Because you deserve to be explored, and savored. There’s nothing quick or easy about you,mi amor.”

He slid his hand up to my sopping-wet thong and rubbed his fingers over the drenched fabric, his touch electrifying.

“This wet for me, baby?” he whispered, a devilish grin spreading across his face.

I couldn’t form the words to answer.

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