Bound by Honor *2ND DRAFT*

XVI

December 15

Malakai POV

She was standing in front of the mirror when I walked into the room, the late evening light catching the gold fabric of her gown and setting it ablaze. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. Her back was bare, the zipper halfway up, the fabric hugging every lovely curve like it had been made just for her.

She moved so naturally in the light that for a moment, she didn't even notice me—she just studied her reflection, lips parted, fingertips smoothing over her sternum as she checked for imaginary imperfections."Baby," I said, my voice low as I closed the door quietly behind me, letting it click into place. "You tryna kill me before we even make it to the gala?"

She glanced at me in the mirror, raising an eyebrow, her mouth curling into that sly, knowing smirk. "You say that every time I dress up, Kai."I grinned, shaking my head as I shrugged out of my suit jacket and tossed it over the back of the chaise. "'Cause every time it's true."

I crossed the room in a few steps, my hand reaching out to brush down her bare arm, feeling goosebumps rise under my touch before I rested my palm at the small of her back. "Turn around, gorgeous. Let me help you."She obliged, her eyes dropping to her feet as she turned. The teasing smile was still there, but there was a softness too, the kind she reserved for moments like this—when it was just us, no audience.

I took my time with the zipper, the metal teeth sliding up in a slow, deliberate line. My fingers lingered at the base of her spine, brushing the warm skin exposed by the open back. I couldn't help myself—I leaned in, letting my lips graze the nape of her neck, just below where her hair was twisted up."You have no idea what you do to me," I murmured against her skin, letting my breath fan out, making her shiver.

She laughed, breathless, reaching back to steady herself with a hand on my thigh. "Kai... we'll be late.""Then let's be late," I rumbled, turning her gently in my arms so she faced me. My hands found her waist, fingers spreading across the smooth satin, gathering her in close. She tilted her head up, eyes bright and mischievous in the fading light.She smoothed her hands over my chest, straightening my already-perfect tie with that little grin of hers.

"You clean up nice yourself, hon," she said softly, fingers lingering just a second longer than necessary."Yeah?" I caught her chin between thumb and forefinger, tilting her face so she had to look at me. "Still doesn't compare to how you look. You're... unreal, baby."She flushed, ducking her head, but her eyes sparkled with something proud and a little shy.

"You always say that.""'Cause it's always true." I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, then to the tip of her nose, just to make her laugh.She swatted at my shoulder, mock-annoyed. "You're impossible, you know that?""That's what you signed up for." I winked, making her roll her eyes.

There was a knock at the door. "Car's ready, Mr. and Mrs. Moretti," the driver called, muffled.She glanced at the clock, sighing. "If we're any later, your mom will have my head."I groaned. "Don't remind me. She's got a sixth sense for when I'm to blame, too."We both laughed, the tension melting away.

She grabbed her clutch, checking her lipstick one last time, and I grabbed my jacket, slinging it over my shoulders as I offered her my arm. She slipped her hand into the crook of my elbow, and together we stepped out into the hall and down to the waiting car, our footsteps echoing in easy rhythm.

The ride was quiet at first—not the awkward kind, just that calm silence that only existed between us. The city's lights flickered outside the tinted windows, neon and gold and violet smeared across the glass. I rested my hand on her thigh, thumb brushing slow circles across the fabric.

She leaned into my side, head resting briefly on my shoulder as she watched the world blur by.After a minute, she spoke, her voice low and thoughtful. "You ever get used to this?" she asked, not looking at me. "All the attention, the cameras, the pretending?"I glanced over, watching the way the passing lights painted shifting patterns across her face.