Page 15 of The Bittersweet Bond

Milka let out a small laugh, breaking the silence. "Okaaay, I think I’ll take off now."

Bas stepped even closer, his stare heavier than before. "This time, it’s not just for a day," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that made Evin’s breath falter.

"You know it’s more."

Her whole body tensed as his words settled in her chest. She had expected the usual playful Bas—but this wasn’t playful.

"I don’t know anything that you haven’t said out loud," she teased, but there was something unsure in her voice.

This wasn’t the first time they’d been this close, and it wasn’t the first time he had hinted at something deeper.

He moved in closer, the space between them dissolving almost entirely.

"I want you."

The words were simple, but so raw that she felt them more than she heard them.

"No more games. You know this doesn’t work with anyone else."

This time, he meant it. She felt it. And that made everything more complicated.

She wanted to believe him. Wanted to let him see her, let him in.

But Bas already knew.

His gaze was steady, expectant, challenging.

The energy between them shifted—suddenly, unbearably charged.

Evin’s pulse pounded as Bas leaned in. Mere inches separated them, the music humming dimly in the background, but all she felt was his closeness.

Her breath shallowed as his gaze held her in place—demanding, but not forcing. A slow shiver ran across her skin, the tension stretching to its breaking point.

Then, she closed her eyes.

And their lips met in a slow, burning kiss.

It was like a quiet spark, hesitant at first, because their lips hadn’t touched in months—since the end of the last school year, when everything between them had unraveled, leaving nothing but unspoken words and unsent messages in its wake.

But within seconds, Bas pulled her in, his grip firm against the nape of her neck, and the kiss deepened. His thumb traced lightly over her throat, sending sparks down her spine.

Evin felt the fire between them ignite, every touch sending electricity through her veins. Her heart hammered against her ribs, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt, pulling him in, feeling the heat of his body against hers.

Everything around them blurred. The lights, the music, the people.

For a moment, their lips parted, both of them breathless, foreheads nearly touching.

Evin’s fingers fidgeted against his shirt, but she could see the grin tugging at his lips—a quiet, knowing grin, one that told her he understood exactly what this kiss had meant. For both of them.

"You owe me a dance," Bas murmured.

Evin smirked, biting her lip. "Do I?"

He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "I saw you giving your all for Milka earlier. Where’s my moment?"

Evin let out a soft laugh, nudging him playfully with her shoulder.

"Maybe you just have to work for it."

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