Made for crime

soft light

The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle golden hue across the room. I blinked, slowly stirring from sleep, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on my skin and the unmistakable ache in my muscles. Everything felt heavy, pleasantly so, like I had been wrapped in a cocoon of warmth and exhaustion.

The events of last night flooded back all at once—the feel of Kai's hands on my body, the way we had moved together, how every touch had been filled with so much intensity it left me breathless. It wasn't just the physical part of it, though that had been undeniably overwhelming; it was the closeness, the raw vulnerability we had both allowed ourselves to share.

I turned my head, my cheek pressing into the soft pillow as my eyes landed on him. Kai was still asleep beside me, his face relaxed in a way I rarely saw. His dark hair was tousled, falling across his forehead, and his usually hard, brooding expression was softened by sleep. The sheets were tangled around us, barely covering his toned chest, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him like this—so peaceful, so unguarded.

I stretched, wincing slightly at the soreness in my limbs. My entire body felt worn out, as if I had been pushed to my limits and beyond. Last night had been... intense. More intense than I had expected. Kai had a way of consuming me entirely, both emotionally and physically. The way he touched me, kissed me—it was like he couldn't get enough, like he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go.

I gently shifted in the bed, trying not to wake him, but the movement must have stirred him from his sleep because his arm instinctively tightened around my waist, pulling me closer. His warmth enveloped me, and I sighed softly, resting my head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, comforting, and I let myself relax into him.

"Nina," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep. His eyes were still closed, but I could feel him coming back to consciousness, his fingers brushing lazily against my skin.

"Mmm?" I hummed, not wanting to move from this perfect, quiet moment.He cracked one eye open, glancing down at me with a lazy smile. "How are you feeling?"

I laughed softly, burying my face into his chest. "Sore," I admitted, my voice muffled against his skin. "You wore me out."

Kai chuckled, the sound low and rumbling through his chest. "You're not the only one," he said, his arm tightening around me again, pulling me impossibly closer. "I think we might have gone a little overboard."

I looked up at him, biting my lip to keep from grinning too widely. "A little?"

His eyes darkened just a fraction, his hand trailing down my back in a way that sent a shiver through me, despite my exhaustion. "You didn't seem to mind last night."

My cheeks flushed at the memory, the way he had touched me with such intensity, like he was memorizing every part of me. I hadn't minded at all. In fact, I hadn't been able to get enough of him, either.

"I didn't," I admitted softly, feeling my heart race again. "But we might need to take it easy today." 

Kai's lips curled into that familiar smirk, his hand moving to brush a stray strand of hair from my face. "You don't think you can handle another round?"

I playfully smacked his chest, laughing. "You're impossible."

He laughed too, the sound soft but full of warmth, and for a moment, we just lay there, tangled together in the aftermath of the night we'd shared. The world outside felt distant, like nothing else existed except the two of us and the quiet intimacy we'd found.

It was strange, this closeness between us. I had never expected to find someone like Kai—someone who made me feel so alive, so seen. He wasn't just the cold, closed-off man I had first thought he was. Underneath all that armor, he was kind, thoughtful, and fiercely protective. And last night, he had shown me just how much he cared.

"I'm glad we did this," I whispered, my fingers tracing absent patterns on his chest. "I'm glad we stopped holding back."

Kai's hand stilled on my back, and I felt his body tense just slightly. For a moment, I worried I had said the wrong thing, but then he exhaled, his hand cupping my cheek, forcing me to look up at him.

"I am too," he said, his voice low and serious. His eyes searched mine, and there was something raw in his expression, something vulnerable. "I've been holding back for so long, afraid of... this. Afraid of how much I wanted you."

My heart clenched at his words, and I reached up to cup his face, my thumb brushing gently over his jawline. "You don't have to be afraid anymore, Kai. I'm not going anywhere."

His eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw the cracks in his usual stoic mask, the flicker of emotion he always tried to hide. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before resting his chin on the top of my head.

"I don't deserve you," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

I shook my head, my arms tightening around him. "Yes, you do. We deserve each other."We stayed like that for a long while, just holding each other in the quiet morning light. The rain from last night had stopped, leaving the world outside fresh and clean, the air still damp with the remnants of the storm. But inside, everything felt warm, safe.

Eventually, Kai shifted, groaning slightly as he sat up, the sheets falling from his body. "As much as I'd love to stay here all day," he said, stretching his arms over his head, "we should probably get some food. You need to refuel after last night."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "You're ridiculous."

He glanced back at me, his smirk returning as he leaned down to press a quick kiss to my lips. "But you like me anyway."

I laughed, shaking my head as I watched him get out of bed and head toward the bathroom. He was right. I did like him—more than I had ever thought possible.

And as I lay there, still wrapped in the warmth of the morning, I realized that, for the first time in a long time, I felt completely and utterly happy.