Page 204 of The Bittersweet Bond

He wanted to say it. The words rested on his tongue, hot like fire.I love you.But he stayed composed, pulling her gently into his arms and kissing her softly. Not demanding, not overwhelming. Just a goodbye kiss, as if that would be enough.

Bas stepped back, forcing himself to let her go. But it wasn’t enough.

Something surged through him, a burning, uncontrollable desire taking hold of his entire body. Before he knew it, he was back in front of her. With an athletic leap, he cleared the steps, grabbed her firmly, and pressed his lips onto hers without hesitation.

The kiss was wild, demanding, brimming with passion. He held her so tightly it felt like he wanted their bodies to merge. She responded instantly, igniting the fire inside him further.

With one arm, he effortlessly lifted her, pressing her against the door, his body flush against hers. Her fingers dug into his hair, her lips desperately seeking his as if she couldn't get enough.

He felt her melting into his arms, surrendering fully. This soft, submissive behavior sparked something dark inside him—a side he had kept hidden. He didn’t want to overwhelm her, not now. But the thought of her fully belonging to him drove him to the brink of madness.

“Damn it, Evin...” he whispered roughly against her lips, pulling her close once more before forcing himself back under control.

He gently lowered her, still keeping her close. Leaning toward her ear, his voice rough and quiet, he murmured, “I love you.”

For a brief second, his eyes widened. His heart skipped a beat, a heavy thud in his chest, as if he’d just spoken something he himself hadn’t realized.

His eyes dropped, pulse quickening.

When had he begun losing control like this? And when had he started liking it?

Then, he lightly bit the tip of her nose. Not hard, just enough to make her feel the sting—tolerable, almost exciting.

She sharply inhaled, and he smirked. “Now go inside before I lose it, Birdie.”

Bas took a step back, still smiling as she stared at him, speechless. When she finally pushed the key into the lock, his heart felt simultaneously heavy and light.

__________

Evin

The front door fell shut behind her, and she leaned against it for a moment, placing a hand on her chest as if trying to calm her wildly beating heart. Her cheeks burned, her breathing was heavy, and she could hardly believe what had just happened.

He had said it.

I love you.

Her knees felt like jelly, but she forced herself to run up the stairs, taking them two at a time, as though she had wings. As soon as she closed the door to her room behind her, she let herself collapse onto her bed.

A wide grin spread across her face, almost painful, and she kicked her legs in the air like anexcited, giddy little girl. Her fingers dug into the blanket; she closed her eyes, rolled onto her side, then onto her stomach—unable to keep still.

He loves me. He actually said it.

She laughed quietly to herself, her fingertips tracing her lips, still tingling from his kiss. His kiss had been hot and demanding, as though he'd wanted to devour her. And then... that bite. She touched her nose, which still pulsed gently, and giggled. The slight pain had been strangely pleasant—a small, intense reminder of that moment.

Everything about him was too much—his fire, his passion, his unpredictable nature. But that was exactly what made him who he was.

Evin sank back into the bed, pulling the covers over herself, her whole body still buzzing with excitement. She thought about the way he'd lifted her effortlessly, how their bodies had become one, even if only for that brief moment.

She had wanted to tell him that she loved him too. The words had been right there, but he had taken that opportunity away from her.

Maybe he was afraid of her response. Maybe he'd wanted to stay in control, like he always did. But it didn't matter. Because she knew she loved him—with everything she had.

A final smile stole onto her lips as she closed her eyes. Her heart felt heavy and light at the same time, like a balloon being pulled in every direction at once.

With that thought, her heart racing, and the tingling sensation still lingering at her fingertips, she fell asleep—happy, exhausted, and full of anticipation for everything yet to come.

Chapter 54

---