Page 289 of Eternal
It was funny in a terrible, humiliating way how completely exposed I was, not only physically but emotionally.
I threw off the covers in a rush, heart hammering, and scrambled to find my shirt on the floor.
My hands trembled as I pulled it over my skin, skin still tingling, still alive with last night’s war and something softer.
I caught my reflection in the mirror as I walked past the bathroom. The wild, messy hair, when did I even let them down… I thought I had a braid last night. Dark circles under my eyes, a soft flush on my cheeks.
For the first time in forever, I felt… real. I almost tripped over my own feet as I made my way to the kitchen.
And there he was.Damir.
Calm and dressed, he was making coffee for him and tea for me, a bag of food sitting nearby like he’d already been out to buy breakfast.
My keys are here too.
So he brought my bike back?
I can see the lemon and honey on the side, he’s doing my tea like I do it…
He glanced up, that cocky grin spreading across his face. “Are you trying to escape, Azra?”
I crossed my arms, still confused. “Vik saw me.Naked.”
His grin grew wider. “You’re adorable like this.”
“It’sreally,really, reallynot funny,” I muttered, but I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.
He poured the tea and coffee in two glasses before advancing toward me, “It’s actually really,really reallycute to see you all flushed like that…”
The flutter in my chest was something new… It’s terrifying.
“Go take a shower,” he said, voice softer now. “Then come eat. I got your favorites.”
I glanced at the bag. “Croissants?”
His mouth twitches. “There’s a French bakery twenty minutes away from here.”
“You drove twenty minutes for this?”
He shrugs. “You were still asleep.” He stepped closer, his hand brushed my hip as he passed, not accidental. Then a quick, playful swat on my ass and I turned around, narrowing my eyes. “Really?”
“Too tempting,” he said, completely serious. “Go, go. Your breakfast’s gonna get cold.”
“Insanity…” I muttered, but I was already walking toward the bathroom.
I closed the door behind me.
Then I caught my reflection in the mirror again. A smile, a real one.Stupid, soft, and affectionate.
I reached out like I needed proof, fingertips brushing the glass, like to make sure I wasn’t imagining it.
I was smiling. Actuallysmiling.
And the craziest part? I didn’t stop.
I kept that smile through the water, through the heat of the shower pouring over me, still smiling when I let my hair down, when I pulled on one of his shirts, definitely left there on purpose this morning.
It smelled like him.
