Aylin studied his face. "You already know what Leo will want."

"I do."

"He’ll want to save her."

"Yep."

"Even after everything she did?"

"Especially because of what she did," Zayden said quietly. "Leo sees broken things and wants to fix them. That’s just who he is."

Aylin fell silent for a moment. Then she said, "I don’t know if I can forgive her, even if she helps us. Even if she risks her life. I really don’t know."

"Then don’t," Zayden replied simply. "No one is asking you to."

Aylin rested her forehead against his. "How do you always know just what to say?"

"I really don’t," Zayden replied. "I just get you, and I know what you need to hear."

They stayed like that for a moment longer before Zayden gave a small smile. "You know what else I know?"

"What’s that?"

"We haven’t had a proper kiss in days."

Aylin couldn’t help but smile a little despite everything. "Is that right?"

"Totally unacceptable," Zayden muttered.

Aylin shifted on his lap, turning to face him. She straddled his hips.

Zayden’s hands settled on her waist. "Much better."

"Is it?" Aylin teased.

"Almost there."

Aylin cupped his face in her hands, looking at him for a while. This guy had saved her, protected her, and loved her even when she couldn’t love herself.

Then she kissed him.

The kiss was soft at first, exploring and gentle.

Zayden let her take charge and set the pace.

But when she deepened the kiss, tracing his bottom lip with her tongue, he lost his control.

His grip tightened on her waist, pulling her closer. One hand slid up her back and tangled in her hair.

Aylin let out a small sound against his lips, not quite a moan, not quite a sigh.

The kiss got heated and desperate, like they were making up for lost time. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Zayden’s mouth moved from her lips to her jaw, then to her neck, and the sweet spot just below her ear that made her gasp.

"Zayden," she breathed.

"Mm?"

"I just need—" She couldn’t finish her thought.

Zayden pulled back a bit to look at her. Her eyes were dark, her breathing was off, and her cheeks were red.

"Tell me," he said quietly. "What do you need?"

Aylin bit her lip. Then, while still looking at him, she reached down, took his hand, and guided it between them, between her legs.

Zayden’s eyes got darker.

"I need you," Aylin whispered. "I need to feel you. I need to feel something good after, after everything."

Zayden got it right away. She needed to escape. She wanted to trade those bad memories for something better. She needed to feel loved, safe, and wanted.

"Anything," he said against her mouth. "Anything you want."

Aylin kissed him again, hard, claiming him.

Zayden’s hand slipped under her dress, finding her warm skin. She wasn’t wearing much underneath.

He groaned. "You’re trying to kill me."

Aylin smiled against his lips. "Maybe."

His fingers moved higher, teasing, not quite hitting the spot she wanted.

Aylin made a frustrated sound. "Zayden—"

"Patience," he said softly.

"I don’t want patience," Aylin replied. "I want—"

She gasped as his fingers finally found her, touching her exactly where she craved.

"This?" Zayden asked, his voice low and rough.

"Yes," Aylin managed. "Yes. Please."

Zayden kissed her deeply while his hand worked, moving in slow circles, building up the pressure. He tuned into every sound she made and how her body responded.

Aylin’s hands gripped his shirt as her hips moved against his hand, chasing that feeling.

"That’s it," Zayden murmured against her mouth. "Take what you need."

Aylin was completely caught up in the moment. In him. In the strong feelings bubbling up inside her.

The study door was a bit open; they hadn’t bothered to shut it all the way in their rush. Outside, nothing else mattered. It was just this. Just them.

Just how he touched her, like she was something special. Like she was everything.

"Zayden," she gasped. "I’m—I’m about to—"

"I know," he said. "Just let go. I’ve got you."

And she did.

She broke apart in his arms, his name falling from her lips.

Zayden held her through it, gentle now, comforting. He showered soft kisses on her temple, her cheek, and her shoulder.

Once she came back to herself, Aylin buried her face in his neck. "I love you."

"I love you too," Zayden replied. "More than anything."

They stayed like that, wrapped around each other, safe in their own little bubble.

Eventually, they’d have to step out of this room, face the team, and deal with Alpha, Maksim, Selina, and everything else.

But for now, they just held on to each other.

And that was more than enough.

*****

Meanwhile, Azalea stood in the hallway outside the study.

She had come to say sorry, to let Zayden know she understood why he had held back at breakfast.

But the door was slightly ajar, and she heard soft, personal voices inside.

She quickly stepped back, her cheeks turning red. She hadn’t meant to interrupt. Not wanting to hear more, she turned and hurried away.

Her brother and Aylin deserved their space.

Making her way to her room, Azalea pulled out her phone.

She needed to let them know about the message, the fifteen girls, and the warehouse.

But that could wait another hour.

Right now, her brother needed this moment with the woman he loved.

Azalea would make sure no one interrupted them.

*****

In his room, Leo sat at his desk with his headphones on, listening to the audio feed from Maksim’s penthouse through the chip in his phone.

Selina was laughing at something Maksim said, playing her role perfectly.

Leo’s heart ached because Azalea was right.

Selina had done terrible things, unforgivable things.

But he loved her anyway, and he was determined to save her, even if she didn’t deserve it and even if no one else understood.

He would save her or die trying.