Imagine Book 2

Saved from the Danger- Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal) Pt. 3~ A Primal Desire

Fem Y/N

𝑺𝒎𝒖𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈

The usual pristine order of Hannibal's study offered him no comfort tonight. His sleeves were rolled up – something he rarely allowed – and his perfectly styled hair had been disrupted by restless fingers running through it. A glass of wine sat untouched on his desk, the rich burgundy catching the firelight as he paced.

Y/N had been occupying his thoughts with increasing frequency since that night in the alley. During their professional interactions, he maintained his careful composure, but in private moments like these, she invaded his mind like a fever. He could still taste her lips, feel the way she had responded to him in the darkness, how she had understood the beauty he showed her without flinching.

Hannibal stopped at his window, staring out into the Baltimore night. His reflection showed a man slightly undone – tie loosened, top button undone, a wildness in his eyes that he usually kept carefully contained. He had been fighting this growing obsession, this need to possess her completely, to consume her in every way possible. But tonight, something had snapped.

The image of Y/N alone in her apartment, perhaps thinking of him, perhaps not, became suddenly unbearable. Before he could analyze his actions – something he always did – Hannibal was grabbing his coat and car keys.

The drive to her place was a blur of streetlights and shadow. His hands gripped the steering wheel too tightly, his breathing slightly irregular. This loss of control should have bothered him, but he found himself embracing it, letting the primal need guide him.

Y/N's townhouse was modestly lit, a warm glow emanating from what he knew was her living room window. He had walked her home enough times to memorize every detail of her street, her building, the way the shadows fell across her front steps...

His knock was perhaps harder than necessary. He heard movement inside, the soft pad of footsteps approaching. When Y/N opened the door, she was wearing comfortable clothes – loose pants and an oversized sweater that left one shoulder exposed. Her hair was slightly tousled, as if she'd been curled up reading.

"Hannibal?" Her eyes widened at his dishevelled appearance. "Is everything—"

He didn't let her finish. In one fluid motion, Hannibal stepped forward, one hand curling around the back of her neck while the other gripped her waist, pulling her into a fierce kiss. She made a small sound of surprise against his lips before melting into him, her hands clutching at his shirt.

Hannibal kicked the door closed behind him, never breaking the kiss as he backed Y/N against the nearest wall. He could feel her heart racing, matching his own unusual rhythm. When he finally pulled back slightly, they were both breathing heavily.

"I apologize for my abruptness," he murmured, though his actions belied his words as he traced kisses down her neck. "I found myself unable to stay away any longer."

Y/N's fingers were still tangled in his shirt. "Don't apologize," she breathed. "I've been thinking about you too. Every night since..."

He silenced her with another kiss, this one slower but no less intense. His hands slid down to her hips, pulling her closer against him. "Tell me," he demanded softly, "what thoughts have been keeping you awake?"

She met his gaze, and the desire he saw there matched his own. "You. The way you looked at me that night in the alley. The darkness in your eyes." Her hand came up to trace his jawline, feeling the tension there. "I've never seen you like this before."

"No one has," he admitted, pressing his forehead against hers. "You've awakened something in me, Y/N. Something I've kept carefully controlled until now."