Las vegas , Of love

after mass

As the night wore on and the excitement of the recoupling faded, the villa settled into a quieter rhythm. Contestants slowly drifted toward their bedrooms, laughter and chatter filling the air as they recounted the day's events. But amidst the camaraderie, a cloud of tension lingered, particularly for Mackenzie

She was in the kitchen, tidying up after dinner, when she noticed Connor and Laurin sitting together on the couch, deep in conversation. The way they leaned in close, sharing smiles and laughter, stirred something unsettling within her. Mackenzie felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she watched them, a mix of frustration and jealousy bubbling to the surface.

"Hey, Connor," she said, her voice soft yet firm. "Can we talk for a minute?"

He turned, surprise flickering across his face. "Of course, what's up?" His tone was casual, but Macqu sensed the tension beneath it.

"I wanted to talk about earlier," she began, choosing her words carefully. "I noticed you and Laurin seemed really close, and it just... it bothered me a bit."

Connor raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "We were just talking, Mackenzie . I didn't think it was a big deal."

"I know, but I heard from some of the others that you were really touchy-feely on your date with her. It's just hard for me to watch, especially after everything that happened with Rachel."

He looked thoughtful, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to come off that way. Laurin and I have a good rapport, and I guess I didn't think about how it might look."

The villa was quiet, the sounds of laughter and chatter fading as the night deepened. The stars twinkled overhead, casting a soft glow over the garden. Carrington and Kendall strolled toward the outdoor kitchen to fill their water bottles, the cool night air refreshing against their skin.

As they walked side by side, Carrington couldn't help but steal glances at Kendall. There was something about her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled in the moonlight, that made his heart race. He felt an overwhelming urge to be closer to her.

Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her gently against him. "Is this okay?" he asked softly, his breath warm against her ear.

Kendall smiled, leaning back into his embrace. "Definitely," she replied, her voice light with happiness. "I like it when you do that."

As they continued their walk, Carrington felt a sense of warmth envelop them. The intimacy of the moment felt electric, and he savored the closeness they shared. "You know, I really enjoy spending time with you," he said, his voice sincere. "You make everything feel so easy."

Kendall turned her head slightly, her smile widening. "I feel the same way. It's nice to have someone who gets me."

They reached the outdoor kitchen, and Carrington reluctantly released her to fill their bottles. As he poured the water, he stole a glance at Kendall, watching her as she leaned against the counter, the moonlight highlighting her features.

"You know," he said, breaking the silence, "I never thought I'd find someone like you here. It's refreshing."

Kendall met his gaze, her expression softening. "I didn't expect to feel such a connection either. It's a nice surprise."

With their water bottles filled, Carrington stepped closer again, wrapping his arms around her waist once more. "I want to explore this connection," he confessed, looking into her eyes. "I feel like we have something special, and I don't want to take it for granted."

Kendall's heart raced at his words. "Neither do I. I'm excited to see where this goes."

As they stood there, embraced under the stars, the noise of the villa faded away, leaving just the two of them in their little world. Carrington leaned in, brushing his lips against her temple in a tender kiss, making her heart flutter.

"Let's keep enjoying this," he whispered, pulling back slightly to look at her. "Whatever happens, I want to be in it together."

Kendall nodded, a smile lighting up her face. "Together," she echoed, feeling a warmth bloom in her chest.

With that, they began their walk back to the villa, hand in hand, a sense of excitement and promise lingering in the air. As they moved through the night, it felt like the start of something beautiful—a journey they were ready to take together.

After their stroll under the stars, Carrington and Kendall made their way back to their bedroom, the warmth of their earlier conversation lingering in the air. The villa was quiet, the soft sounds of night enveloping them as they entered the cozy space.

Kendall smiled as she turned on a small lamp, casting a warm glow around the room. "It's nice to have a moment like this," she said, her voice low and soothing.

Carrington nodded, feeling a wave of contentment wash over him. "Definitely. I wouldn't trade this for anything."

As they prepared for bed, Carrington pulled back the covers and slid in next to Kendall. The bed was soft and inviting, and he felt an overwhelming sense of peace as he settled in beside her. Kendall turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Goodnight, Carrington," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Goodnight, Kendall," he replied, smiling as he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

In a natural, comforting movement, Kendall shifted closer, and Carrington wrapped his arm around her, pulling her against him. They nestled into each other, the world outside fading away as they found solace in their embrace.

As they lay together, the rhythm of their breathing synchronized, creating a soothing lullaby that lulled them both toward sleep. Carrington could feel Kendall's heartbeat against his chest, a gentle reminder of the connection they had forged.

"I'm really glad you're here," he murmured, his voice a soft rumble in the quiet of the night.

"Me too," Kendall replied, her eyes fluttering shut as she relaxed into him. "I feel safe with you."

With those words hanging in the air, they drifted into a peaceful sleep, cocooned in each other's warmth. Outside, the stars twinkled brightly, but inside the villa, it was just the two of them—together, content, and dreaming of what lay ahead.