Page 200 of The Bittersweet Bond

“That you’re special, Evin. And that I’m really glad you’re here.”

The words sent a shiver down her spine, a warmth curling low in her stomach. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

Bas held her gaze, his expression unreadable. It was only then that she noticed how still he was—like he was barely breathing, as if waiting for a reaction he couldn’t control. His jaw tensed for a fraction of a second before he loosened it again with a slow exhale.

And for the first time in a long while, Evin didn’t feel the need to say anything at all.

Chapter 53

Perfect Imperfections

Sebastian

Bas watched her in the warm glow of the fairy lights. Evin sat on the blanket with her knees drawn up, her fingers idly playing with the hem of her top. She looked like she wanted to say something, but the words seemed to linger in the silence, refusing to break through.

It was this moment—the quiet, the crackling tension in the air—that was driving him insane.

“Evin.” She looked up, her eyes gleaming as if she was surprised to hear him say her name.

“Hm?” Her voice was soft, barely more than a breath, but there was a slight nervousness in it that only drew him in more.

“I keep wondering if you even realize how much you mess me up.”

Her gaze flicked to his, startled, but she recovered quickly. “I think you’re just easy to impress.”

“Then explain why no one else has ever managed to do it.”

His voice was calm, but beneath the self-irony was something else—something unspoken, something pressing that only heightened the tension between them.

“Bas…” Her tone was softer than before, barely more than a breath between them.

He lifted a hand, letting his fingers brush gently over her cheek, as if testing whether this moment was real—or if he was just imagining that she was finally looking at him like this.

“You have to tell me if this is too much.” His voice was quiet, deeper than usual, almost rough.

She shook her head, barely perceptible. “It’s not.” She wanted to say more, but the words remained unspoken.

That was all he needed to hear.

Bas let his forehead rest against hers, closing his eyes for a moment to soak it in—the soft electricity between them, the way her breath warmed his skin. A quiet heartbeat where the world seemed to pause.

Then she moved first. Just a little.

Her lips brushed against his—a tentative, uncertain beginning, barely more than a touch, but it hit him harder than any real kiss would have.

Bas gave her time. Seconds that stretched into eternity.

And when she didn’t pull away, he gently tugged her closer.

The kiss deepened—slow, but inevitable. A silent, inescapable realization. Her fingers curled into his shirt, as if making sure he wouldn’t disappear. His hands found her back, trailing over the thin fabric, as he tried to feel every bit of hesitation in her and push it away.

“What are you doing to me?” he murmured against her lips.

She let out a soft laugh, nervous but happy—one that lodged itself in his mind and made him want even more.

“Evin…” He pulled back for a moment, just to look at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and she was more beautiful than he could ever put into words.

“What?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

---