A Dance with Danger

Chapter Fourteen

**Estelle's POV**

The night had settled into an unsettling quiet, the mansion standing as a silent witness to the tension that had unfolded between Tiberius and me. I could still feel the heat of our argument lingering in the air, even though hours had passed. After leaving him downstairs, I had retreated to my room, too wound up to sleep, my mind spinning with everything that had been said.

The soft hum of the mansion was a far cry from the storm that had brewed between us. The frustration, the unspoken hurt-it all felt too much to ignore. I couldn't pretend that things were okay, even if I had tried to shut it all out in the quiet of my room. The silence, ironically, only made everything louder.

I tossed and turned, unable to find any comfort in the plush sheets, my mind replaying the words we had exchanged. The harshness of my own voice echoed back to me, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. But then again, his hand on my thigh... His protective words... Did he really see me as just something to shield or control?

With a frustrated sigh, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The cool air of the room was a contrast to the heat swirling in my chest. I needed to clear my head. I needed to talk to him.

Pulling on a loose robe, I stepped out of my room, my footsteps light but determined as I made my way down the hall. The mansion was eerily quiet, save for the soft creaks of the floorboards beneath my feet. I paused in front of his study, the dim light from beneath the door casting a faint glow.

Tiberius was there, I knew it. I could feel him in this house, just as restless as I was. Without thinking any longer, I knocked gently, my knuckles brushing the cool wood.

A few moments later, I heard the faint rustling of papers, followed by the sound of his footsteps approaching the door. It swung open, and there he stood-dressed in nothing but a dark t-shirt and his usual worn jeans. His face was drawn, the weariness in his eyes betraying the facade of control he so often wore.

"Estelle..." His voice was quieter than usual, almost hesitant, as if he wasn't sure what to expect.

I swallowed, my throat dry. "Tiberius, can we talk?" My voice was softer now, the sharpness from earlier replaced with a more fragile tone.

He nodded, stepping back to allow me to enter, his gaze following me as I crossed the threshold into the dimly lit study. The room smelled of whiskey and leather, a familiar scent that should have comforted me, but tonight, it felt distant.

"I'm not going to apologise for what I said to you," I said, breaking the silence before it could settle again. "I have rights in the situation." I paused, watching his face for any reaction. His jaw tightened slightly, but there was no defensiveness, just a quiet understanding.

"Estelle..." He began, his voice low and hesitant. "I'm the one who should apologize. I acted out of line, trying to control the situation instead of trusting you. I overstepped, and I'm sorry for making you feel like you were anything less than your own person."

I froze, shock at his words.

"I know you were trying to protect me," I said, glancing up to meet his eyes. "But I don't want to feel like I'm being controlled. I'm here because I want to be, not because I have to be. And I need you to understand that."

Tiberius took a step toward me, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that felt as if he were looking right through to my soul. "I understand," he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion. "It's just... hard for me. The world I live in is dangerous, and I never want to see you hurt. But I know I went about it all wrong. I should've trusted you more, not just to protect yourself, but to make decisions for yourself."

I nodded, my heart softening at his admission. "I can take care of myself, Tiberius. I need you to trust that. I'm not some helpless woman who needs to be shielded from every little thing. I'm stronger than you think."

The words hit him like a physical blow. He closed his eyes for a moment, as though trying to absorb them, and then slowly nodded. "I do trust you," he murmured, his voice thick with sincerity. "I'm sorry for making you feel like you weren't in control of your own life. That's the last thing I want."

There was a brief, pregnant pause between us, the kind of silence that felt like both an apology and a promise. He took another step closer, his presence overwhelming in the small room. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, the vulnerability hidden beneath his usual guarded demeanor.

"I don't want to lose you, Estelle," he said, his voice softer now, the edge of his previous frustration gone. "Not because I'm trying to possess you, but because I care about you. More than I've let on. More than I know how to express."

I felt my breath hitch at the rawness of his words. Despite everything that had happened, the anger and hurt between us, this moment felt like a fragile bridge forming between us, one that could either collapse or strengthen depending on what we chose next.

"I care about you too," I whispered, my voice catching. "But I need you to trust me. I need to feel like I'm standing beside you, not behind you."

Tiberius stepped closer, his hand reaching out tentatively, as if waiting for permission. Without thinking, I placed my hand in his, the warmth of his touch grounding me in the moment.

"I can do that," he said, his voice steady. "I'll work on it. I promise."

The air between us shifted, no longer heavy with unresolved anger, but lighter, filled with the possibility of something deeper. Something real.

I squeezed his hand gently, offering a soft smile. "I think we're going to be okay, Tiberius."

He released my hand, only to cup my face gently, his thumb brushing my cheek in a way that made my heart race. "Thank you, Estelle," he murmured, his voice low and filled with something unspoken.

"Youre welcome."

We stayed silent for a good few minutes before I decided to break first."Do you think we'll ever get used to this?" I asked, gesturing between us.

Tiberius turned to me, his expression thoughtful. "I think we're learning how to navigate it together. We just have to keep communicating."

"Agreed. And who knows, maybe we'll even have some fun along the way," I added playfully, nudging him lightly with my elbow.

He chuckled, a deep, rich sound that made me smile. "I like the sound of that."Tiberius pecks my temple, my stomach exploded in butterflies. My cheeks burned as we continued to watch the stars.