Zayden immediately took control, his tongue dancing with hers in a slow, sensual way.

Ten minutes slipped by in a haze of heat and tangled limbs, tongues fighting for dominance as gasps were swallowed by hungry kisses.

When Zayden finally pulled back, they were both breathing heavily.

Aylin stared at him, dazed, her lips swollen and red. "What... what are you doing? I didn’t even wash my face and brush my teeth yet, and you’re already..."

Zayden’s grin was cheeky. "I don’t care."

"Zayden!" Aylin complained, but she was smiling, too.

"What?" He nuzzled her neck, planting hot, open-mouthed kisses on her pulse. "You taste amazing. Morning breath and all."

"That’s gross," Aylin replied, but she tilted her head to give him better access.

"That’s love," Zayden said, playfully biting where her neck met her shoulder.

Aylin gasped, her fingers digging into his shoulders. "You’re impossible."

"You love it," he whispered against her skin.

"I put up with it," she shot back, her voice breathy and not very convincing.

Zayden pulled back to look at her, his steel-blue eyes soft in a way they rarely were with anyone else.

"You know," he said quietly, "when I’m with you, I actually sleep well."

Aylin blinked in surprise at his sudden serious tone. "What?"

"I mean it." Zayden’s hand came up to cradle her face, his thumb rubbing her cheek. "The first time I slept with you in the forest was the best sleep I’d had in years, maybe ever."

Aylin frowned, confused. "In the forest?"

"Yeah." Zayden’s face got a bit awkward, which was odd for him, making Aylin stare. "That first night in the cabin, you yelled in your sleep, probably a nightmare. I came to check on you and ended up staying by your bed the whole night."

Aylin’s eyes widened. "You stayed with me?"

"I just couldn’t leave," Zayden confessed. "You looked so scared, even while dreaming. So, I stayed. I dozed off in that uncomfortable chair around three in the morning." He grinned at the memory. "Woke up two hours later, and it was the longest sleep I’d had in months."

"I had no idea," Aylin whispered.

"You were out cold," Zayden said simply. "But that’s when I figured it out. You made me feel calm. Safe, even. I’ve never felt that way with anyone else." His voice got real and honest. "I’ve never slept next to anyone before you, never wanted to. But with you? I can’t picture sleeping any other way now."

Aylin’s eyes filled with tears. "Zayden..."

"Don’t cry," he said softly, kissing each of her eyelids. "Only happy tears in this bed."

"They are happy tears, you idiot," Aylin said, laughing through her tears. "You can’t just say stuff like that and expect me not to get emotional."

"I can say whatever I want," Zayden shot back, pulling her closer. "And I want you to know that every moment with you is important. Every night by your side is a gift I never thought I’d have."

They stayed like that for another twenty minutes, wrapped up in each other, sharing soft kisses and gentle words, the kind of connection that wasn’t about physical stuff but about souls recognizing one another.

Finally, Aylin sighed. "We should get up. People are going to wonder where we are."

"Let them wonder," Zayden grumbled, holding her tighter.

"Zayden," Aylin giggled, pushing against his chest. "Come on. We’ve got things to do."

"Things can wait."

"Alexander Kane won’t wait," Aylin pointed out, and that got through to him.

Zayden’s expression turned serious. "You’re right. Let’s go." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

*****

By the time they got downstairs, both had showered and gotten dressed. Zayden’s hair was still a little damp, and breakfast was already spread out.

Mr. Moore, the head butler, was quietly directing the staff with a lot of efficiency. The long dining table was piled high with an impressive spread: fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, bacon, toast, juice, and coffee.

Aylin smiled at one of the maids. "Can you call Liam and Ayla down for breakfast?"

The maid nodded and quickly left.

A few moments later, Liam and Ayla came in, looking way more rested than they had the night before. There was a chill vibe between them now, still a bit shaky, still mending, but real.

They all sat down together and chatted lightly, making sure to steer clear of any heavy stuff over their morning coffee.

Zayden watched Ayla closely. "You starting university today?"

Ayla nodded, excitement and nerves mixing on her face. "Yeah, the placement test."

"You’ll crush it," Aylin said confidently.

"I pulled some strings," Zayden added casually. "I made sure the administration knows you’re under my wing. If anyone gives you grief—"

"I’ll handle it," Ayla interjected gently. "But thanks."

Zayden nodded, respecting her independence even though his protective instincts kicked in.

After breakfast, Zayden, Aylin, and Liam stood up.

"We’ve got work to do," Zayden said, glancing at Ayla. "Do you have security with you for the university?"

"Yep," Ayla confirmed. "The guards you got for me and Emilia are coming along."

"Awesome." Zayden leaned down and gave Aylin a quick kiss on the cheek. "Let’s roll."

The three of them headed upstairs, taking a different route through the mansion and going to Zayden’s bedroom instead.

Liam looked confused. "Why are we—"

Zayden pressed a hidden panel in the wall. It opened up quietly, revealing a narrow passage.

"Secret entrance," Zayden explained. "It goes straight to my office. Faster. More secure."

"Of course it does," Liam muttered. "Because normal doors are too basic."

Aylin laughed as she followed Zayden into the passage. "You get used to it."

*****

When they walked into the office, Leo was already chilling at the conference table, surrounded by a bunch of tablets and laptops.

He looked up when they walked in, and his eyebrows shot up when he saw Liam.

"So this kid’s joining us now?" Leo said, teasingly.

Liam shot him a glare. "I’m not a kid, alright?"

"Really?" Leo’s grin got even bigger. "You could’ve fooled me with that baby face."

"Baby face?" Liam exclaimed.