𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬

𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝟑𝟐

The dim lighting in my office cast a soft glow over Sadira, who was sprawled out on the leather couch, completely knocked out after helping me locate my hard drive. That bratty attitude of hers had been tamed for now, and despite her stubbornness earlier, I couldn't help but smile at how peaceful she looked. Her lips slightly parted as she slept, her chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm. It was a quiet moment, one I was reluctant to disturb, but I had court in the morning, and we couldn't stay here all night.

I let out a quiet sigh, glancing at the clock on my desk. Midnight had come and gone, and the exhaustion from the day was starting to catch up with me. I stood up from my chair, stretching my arms above my head before making my way over to her. The soft hum of the city outside was the only sound in the room as I leaned down, gently scooping her up into my arms.

Her head lolled against my chest, her arms instinctively wrapping around my neck as I lifted her, her body completely relaxed in my hold. She stirred slightly but didn't wake, her breathing steady and calm. I kissed the top of her head, the faint scent of her vanilla perfume lingering in the air as I walked toward the door.

With one hand supporting her and the other free, I pressed my thumb against the scanner next to the door. The lock clicked open, and I stepped out into the quiet hallway, the door locking behind us automatically. My office was always on lockdown—security was something I never compromised on. Not in this line of work.

The elevator doors slid open as I approached, and I stepped inside, cradling Sadira closer as I pressed the button for the garage. The ride down was smooth and silent, the soft hum of the elevator's mechanics barely noticeable. Sadira's head shifted slightly on my chest, her lips brushing against the fabric of my shirt, and I couldn't resist planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

As we reached the parking garage, the doors opened with a soft chime. I carried her to my truck, the cold concrete of the garage sending a shiver up my spine, but I made sure to keep Sadira warm in my arms. When I reached the passenger side, I carefully opened the door and gently placed her into the seat. She was still out cold, completely unaware of her surroundings.

I leaned in and buckled her seatbelt, making sure it wasn't too tight. I didn't want her waking up with a crick in her neck, so I adjusted the seat, reclining it slightly so she could stay comfortable during the drive. She murmured something incoherent in her sleep, her body shifting as she curled up slightly, but she didn't wake.

I couldn't help but smile as I closed the door, walking around to the driver's side and sliding in. The engine roared to life as I turned the key, the soft purr of the truck vibrating through the cabin as I pulled out of the garage. The city streets were quiet at this hour, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of New York during the day. It was peaceful, in a way, and the drive home felt like a brief escape from everything that had been weighing on me.

Sadira was still knocked out, her soft breathing filling the space between us as I drove. I stole a glance at her every now and then, watching how she cuddled into the seat, completely unaware of the world around her. She looked so damn sweet, like the fire she had earlier had completely burned out, leaving only this softness behind.

By the time we reached my condo, the streets were even quieter. I pulled into the parking garage and cut the engine, letting the silence settle in for a moment before stepping out of the truck. I made my way to her side, opening the door as quietly as possible. She stirred again as I unbuckled her seatbelt, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks as if she were on the verge of waking up. But she didn't.

With a gentleness I didn't often get to show, I lifted her back into my arms, cradling her against me as I made my way to the elevator. The doors slid open with a soft whoosh, and I pressed the button for the 10th floor, the hum of the elevator the only sound breaking the silence. Sadira nestled deeper into my chest, her face pressed against my neck, her warm breath tickling my skin. I held her a little closer, my lips brushing her temple as I murmured softly, "Almost home, sweetheart."

The elevator doors opened with a chime, and I stepped out into the hallway, heading toward my place. The familiar click of my door unlocking under my fingerprint made me feel a little more relaxed—this was our safe space, a place where the outside world didn't matter. I pushed the door open with my shoulder and stepped inside, making my way toward the bedroom.

The condo was dimly lit, the city's lights filtering through the large windows and casting a soft glow across the room. I kicked the door shut behind me, careful not to make too much noise as I carried her to the bed. Gently, I lowered her onto the mattress, her body sinking into the soft sheets as she let out a soft sigh in her sleep.

I stood there for a moment, just watching her. She looked so damn peaceful, like she didn't have a care in the world. And in this moment, I wanted to keep it that way. I ran a hand through my hair, shaking off the tension that had built up from the day, before making my way to the bathroom.

I quickly stripped out of my stained pants and blazer, tossing them into the laundry bin before stepping into the shower. The hot water hit my skin, washing away the stress of the day and easing the tightness in my muscles. But even as I stood under the water, letting the heat relax me, my mind kept drifting back to Sadira. To her soft smile, her stubbornness, and the way she had that bratty attitude of hers that I couldn't help but love.

After a few minutes, I turned off the water and grabbed a towel, drying myself off before pulling on a pair of sweats. I ran the towel through my hair as I stepped back into the bedroom, glancing over at Sadira. She had rolled onto her side, her arm draped over the pillow where I had been just a few minutes ago.

I knew she'd be more comfortable in something else, so I walked over to the closet and grabbed one of my old t-shirts. Kneeling beside the bed, I carefully undressed her, my movements slow and deliberate as I removed her jeans and top, replacing them with the soft cotton of my shirt. She stirred a little, her eyes fluttering open for a brief second before she settled back into sleep.

Once she was dressed, I grabbed a clean, warm towel from the bathroom and gently wiped her down, making sure she was comfortable. She murmured something under her breath, shifting closer to me as I worked, but she didn't wake.

When I was done, I climbed into bed beside her, pulling the covers over both of us. As soon as I lay down, Sadira instinctively moved closer, her body curling into mine as she buried her face in the crook of my neck. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as I kissed the top of her head.

"Goodnight, sweets," I whispered against her hair, my lips brushing her soft curls.

She let out a soft sigh, her body relaxing completely as she drifted deeper into sleep, her warm breath tickling my neck. I smiled to myself, feeling the weight of the day finally lift as I held her close. This was where I wanted to be—right here, with her in my arms, where nothing else mattered.

And as I lay there, listening to her soft breathing, I knew I'd do whatever it took to keep her happy. She was mine, and I was hers, and I wouldn't let anything come between us. Not work, not the city, not the chaos of life. As long as she was with me, I'd make sure she knew just how much she meant to me.

I kissed her again, my hand gently running through her hair as I whispered, "I love you, Sadira."

She didn't stir, but I knew she felt it. And that was enough.

He literally put Sadira to SLEEP😭😭😭🤭