𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

| 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐈.

song: elliot james reay - i think they call this love

° ☆ 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐚 ☆ °

SIX MONTHS LATER - JUNE, USA

Summer in Los Angeles feels like the world has dipped itself in honey, and the city hums with that lazy, golden vibe. I'm surrounded by the work of local artists, each piece a testament to the passion and grit that this city breathes into its inhabitants. My own paintings hang among them, a blend of my soul and the vibrant energy of the place I call home.

It's time to hang up the last canvas and then the monthly exhibition pieces are ready to start looking for a home. I step on my tiptoes, reaching my hands above my head. I try my best to find my balance on top of a small ladder and carefully try to place the painting on its hook. The piece represents colorful flower fields, and it all takes me back to the place where Kaden proposed to me. A smile creeps up onto my lips.

I reach further up the wall and I barely notice the way the ladder wobbles beneath me. My heart skips a beat as I feel myself tipping, the ground suddenly seeming a lot farther away. But before I can even let out a yelp, strong arms wrap around my waist, steadying me.

"Easy there," Kaden's voice comes from behind me, warm and teasing. "Are you sure you don't need any help, sweetheart?"

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, my fingers still gripping the frame of the painting. Kaden's reflexes have always been impressive, and once again, he has managed to catch me just in time.

He helps me down, and I turn to face him, my cheeks probably matching the blush on the canvas behind me. His eyes sparkle with amusement as he gives me that crooked smile that always makes my heart race a little faster.

"I had it under control," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. But the truth is, having him here is a relief. He's always been my anchor, the calm in the storm of my chaotic world.

Kaden chuckles, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Sure you did." His hand lingers on my cheek, and for a moment, the gallery fades away, leaving just the two of us in our little bubble. He never fails to make the time seem still.

I then glance around the room, stepping away from the ladder. Kaden takes the art piece from my hands and hangs it up with ease. I watch as his strong biceps flex in all their glory, and I can already see myself blushing. We've been dating for a long time now, but his arms never fail to make me falter.

"I can feel you staring." My head whips around and he's already looking at me, flashing a smirk at me.

I shake my head. "Get over yourself."

As he walks over to me, his thumb gently traces the curve of my jaw. "You know," he murmurs, his voice dropping to that low, irresistible tone, "you really shouldn't be climbing ladders without supervision. It's dangerous."

I roll my eyes, even as a laugh tries to escape me. "I'm perfectly capable of handling a ladder, thank you."

His grin widens, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Capable, sure. But you're also a bit of a distraction, Nora. How am I supposed to concentrate when you're dangling like that?"

I'm about to fire back with a retort, but before I can, he lifts me up effortlessly, his hands firm on my waist as he sets me down on the counter. My breath catches in my throat as he spreads my legs apart and steps between my knees, his hands resting on either side of me, trapping me in place. The counter is cool against my skin, but Kaden's presence is warm, all-consuming.

Tilting my head, I give him a mock-serious look. "And what exactly do you think you're doing?"

"Making sure you don't get any more crazy ideas," he replies, his voice a playful whisper. He leans in closer, his lips just a breath away from mine. "Someone's gotta keep you safe, right?"