Tie My Heartstring's ❦

heavenly

Hudson

I woke up to the soft glow of morning light spilling through the curtains, illuminating Katie's serene face beside me. She had been utterly exhausted from yesterday's events, slipping into sleep within seconds.

No one could ever truly grasp my fascination with her—until they saw her. Perfection was a word often thrown around, but for me, it was an undeniable truth.

She was stunning. Those cute little dimples, the bright honey-colored eyes framed by thick lashes, and hair the rich brown of melted chocolate drew attention wherever we went. And now, in this moment, all of that beauty was for me.

I had always been manipulative; I didn't shy away from admitting it. It was part of who I was, a survival instinct honed over years of needing control. I felt it coursing through my veins, especially now that I had her. I wanted nothing more than for her to see how perfect I was for her.

Katie stirred beside me, her soft breathing changing as I gently nudged her cheek with my fingers. As she blinked awake, a sleepy smile broke across her face, illuminating the room even more than the sunlight streaming through the window. "Morning," she said, her voice a soft melody.

"How did you sleep, angel?" I asked, my tone casual, though inside I was reeling from the hold I had over her.

"So good," she replied, stretching like a contented cat before slipping out of bed to wash up. I followed her instinctively, a shadow close behind her.

As she stood at the sink, brushing her teeth, I admired the way she moved—so carefree, so oblivious to anything lurking just beneath the surface. Moments later, she spat out her toothpaste and looked up at me, her eyes clouded with uncertainty.

"Though I must admit, I feel a little weird about this," she said, her voice wavering, slicing through the morning tranquility. "I mean, I wanted this all, but now..." She hesitated, anxiety creeping into her features. "I don't want to hurt my dad, and—Oh God. My father..."

Her words sent a jolt through me, igniting a spark of irritation. "Katie," I said, my voice low and firm as I stepped closer, brushing my hands possessively along her slim waist, pulling her into my embrace. "Everything will be okay."

I felt her tense, but I held her close, resting my chin on her head, a gesture meant to soothe. "No one will ever know if that's what you want." My lips grazed her hair, a silent promise.

I could feel the heat radiating from her body, and a sense of power washed over me at the thought of keeping her right where she belonged.

She tilted her head up to meet my gaze, searching for reassurance. "But what if he finds out? He'll be so disappointed..."

"Your father doesn't have to know." I kept my tone calm, steady, locking my eyes onto hers, searching for that flicker of doubt to extinguish it. "You've spent too much time worrying about everyone else. You deserve this, Katie. What we have is special, and you know it."

Her breath hitched, the conflict within her palpable. "But—"

"No more buts," I interrupted, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. I leaned in closer, our faces mere inches apart. "You need to think about yourself for once. You have a chance to explore what you want. To experience something real."

I could see her resolve crumbling, piece by piece, as she leaned into my words. "I'll protect you, Katie. I'll make sure nothing happens to you. You know how much I care. You're my girl."

The tension between us thickened, and I could feel her heart racing beneath my fingers. She bit her lip, a habit I knew well, the way it both ignited desire within me and showed her uncertainty. "But what if...?"