Beneath the Veil of Shadows

Chapter 28

Sapphire’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze focusing on the intricate patterns of the ceiling above her. For a moment, she couldn’t remember where she was and then last night’s heat rushed back to her, the intensity of their shared moments flooding her mind. How was it possible to feel this way after a single night? It was infuriating how easily he captivated her, how they had danced so close to the edge of something more while being so aware of the chaos that surrounded them.

Shaking the thoughts away, she turned her head and froze. There, sprawled next to her, was Elias, his tousled hair catching the light in a way that made him look like a particularly handsome Greek god. Oh great, she thought.

She had half a mind to poke him and see if he was real or just a figment of her very vivid imagination—or maybe a well-crafted hologram because honestly, no one looked that good while sleeping. If this was a dream, she definitely didn’t want to wake up.

Deciding it was her civic duty to admire him a little longer, Sapphire shifted slightly, careful not to disturb the sleeping giant next to her. She couldn’t help but smile as she took in his chiseled jawline, the way his lips were slightly parted as if he were about to mumble something deeply philosophical in his sleep. She had spent half the night staring at him, tracing the contours of his face with her eyes.

With the kind of determination reserved for moments of major life decisions—like choosing between a muffin or a scone for breakfast—Sapphire leaned closer, her heart racing. She felt a pull towards him, an irresistible urge to confirm that he was real and that the night they had shared hadn’t been a dream. As her fingertips grazed his cheek, she felt a thrill at the contact, warmth blooming in her chest.

The memory of their first kiss flitted through her mind, the awkwardness after that moment starkly contrasting with the intimate connection she now felt. After their passionate night together, everything felt different. It was as if they had leaped over an invisible barrier that had kept them apart, and now, instead of feeling shy or unsure, she felt bold and confident.

Tracing the contours of his jaw and the way his lashes brushed against his cheeks, she marveled at how quickly she had grown close to him. The sweet vulnerability of the previous night had given way to an exhilarating sense of familiarity. This wasn’t just the man she was drawn to; he was someone she could explore the depths of her feelings with. In that quiet moment, she felt a surge of affection for him—a connection that had deepened beyond words.

She smiled to herself, realizing that the awkwardness had transformed into a comfortable intimacy. In this space, she felt safe to explore the man beside her, to learn about the layers of his character that lay beneath the surface. Her fingers danced lightly across his skin, tracing the lines of his face, and she wondered how it was possible to feel so connected to someone in such a short time.

She couldn’t resist smirking at her own thoughts. “Why do you look like you just walked off the cover of a romance novel? What is your secret? Do you bathe in the tears of your enemies or something?” she whispered to herself.

Elias stirred, mumbling something incoherent that sounded suspiciously like, “What are you doing?”

He was terrifyingly powerful yet completely vulnerable when asleep, which was a unique combination that made her heart flutter.

She chuckled, deciding to lean in closer, resting her chin on her hand as she stared at him. “If you wake up looking this good, you should really consider a career in modeling. I mean, the whole ‘dangerous mafia boss’ thing is cute and all, but have you thought about catwalks?”

Elias opened one eye, the other still stubbornly closed, and fixed her with a sleepy glare that was somehow both charming and infuriating. “You talk too much in the morning,” he muttered, but there was an unmistakable smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.