Until I breathe | 18+

Three- Lust and Power

Ayren

I step inside the room, and my gaze finds her. She is standing in front of the mirror, blow drying her hair.

For a moment, everything else blurs out. My mind blanks, and all I see is her. Her skin's still damp from the shower, and her hair's a tangled mess. I've never seen a robe looking this beautiful on anyone before.

My eyes linger on her shoulders, her neck, the curve of her lips. How badly I want to reach out, to pull her close. But I don't move.

I notice the mild flecks of gold in her irises, a hint of awareness. She knows I'm watching. She's choosing to ignore me.

Why doesn't she flinch? Doesn't she feel the weight of my stare? The intensity of my attention? It's as if she's carved from stone, impervious to my presence. I'm caught in the undertow of her indifference. Swept up in the intrigue. Helpless to look away.

The gentle sway of her hips, the soft vulnerability of her nape mercilessly unravels me. My gaze traces the elegant line of her spine, and I crave to follow it with my fingertips.

The soft hum of the dryer, the sweet scent of her shampoo, envelops us. I want to wrap myself around her, to hold her close and never let go.The robe's belt seems to beckon me, inviting me to unravel its secrets.

I drink her in, her delicate features, her soft curves, her smooth skin. She can effortlessly look beautiful in anything she wears, anything she does.

Her hair, short and rich, spills down her backs silky against her skin. I love her hair, anyway the length. She cut them short recently, after her mom's funeral.

How badly I want to bury my face in its depths, to inhale its scent, to feel its softness, but I don't want to get slapped again. Instead, I let my gaze trace the elegant line of her spine, a gentle exploration.

"You still have kept that letter from Lia?", She asks, daring to meet my gaze in the mirror reflection.

I nod taking some deliberate steps closer to her, "And yours too" I say nonchalantly, just to draw any reaction from her.

"That was not a letter", She counters, as her hands stop in mid motion, freezing.

"I know, but why are you asking? ", I ask, standing right behind her, "Don't tell me, you have found them in my drawer"

"Umm...yeah... I've", She answers, keeping the hair dryer on the table. She dare not turn, lest our eyes meet again. And then my phone rings, breaking the spell.

Damn it. Perfect timing, as always. Can't even have a minute to myself. I tear my gaze away from her. I glance at the screen, and my gut tightens. Work. Of course. "See you downstairs"

I force myself to turn away, to leave the room. I shake my head, clearing the haze. I answer the call, my voice firm. 'Yeah?' The voice on the other end launches into a rapid-fire briefing. I listen, my mind snapping into gear.

**************

As I descend the stairs, Ryder's imposing figure commands my attention. His tailored black suit accentuates his broad shoulders, but it's his piercing gaze that unsettles me. The intensity of his stare is a cold slap, freezing me in place.

Ryder's jaw clenches, a subtle warning. His eyes narrow, the gold flecks within them flashing like a warning signal. I sense the unspoken message: Don't.

His expression is a thunderstorm, dark and foreboding. The sharp lines of his face seem chiseled from granite, unyielding and unforgiving. His expression earns a smirk from me. Even though he is my best friend, my pride refuses to back down even in front of him. I take another step forward, my eyes locked on Ryder's "what am I hearing?"He asks.