Oh to be loved

16

The warmth of Cillian's body was the first thing Amara became aware of when she woke the next morning.

Her eyes fluttered open, the soft light of dawn spilling into the room. For a moment, she didn't remember where she was-didn't remember how she had ended up here. But as she turned her head, the sight of Cillian lying beside her brought everything crashing back.

The kiss.

Her heart raced as she stared at him, his face relaxed in sleep, his arm draped across her waist as if it belonged there. The room they had once shared out of necessity now felt intimate in a way she hadn't anticipated.

She should feel panic. She should feel trapped. But instead, there was something else-a warmth in her chest she hadn't expected.

Carefully, she began to move, trying to slip out of his hold without waking him. But the moment she shifted, Cillian stirred, his eyes blinking open slowly. When he saw her, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed quickly by something more guarded.

"You stayed," he said quietly, his voice still heavy with sleep.

Amara didn't know how to respond. She hadn't meant to stay-hadn't meant for things to go this far. But she couldn't deny the part of her that had wanted to be close to him, even if it terrified her.

"I-" Her voice faltered. "I don't know why."

Cillian propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze never leaving hers. "I didn't mean to make you feel trapped, Amara."

"But I am trapped," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "And you're the one keeping me here."

He looked away for a moment, his jaw tightening. "I know. But I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you into this. Last night... it wasn't just about control."

Amara's breath caught in her throat. "Then what was it?"

Cillian's eyes darkened, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was real."

The words hung between them, and for a moment, Amara didn't know what to say. She wanted to argue, wanted to deny what was happening between them, but the truth was staring her in the face.

This-whatever it was-was real.