Fatally Yours

Chapter 53

•DOMINIK•

The room was quiet, except for the faint hum of the city outside and the occasional rustle of the sheets as Nova shifted beside me.

The candles had burned low, their warm light casting soft shadows across her face as she rested her head against my chest. 

It was after 3 a.m., and although we'd been up all night, neither of us felt the pull of exhaustion. I ran my fingers lightly through her hair, savoring the way her breathing had slowed to something steady and peaceful.

The night had been perfect—better than I could have hoped for—and for once, I felt a rare sense of calm settle over me. 

I looked down at her, the curve of her lips barely visible as she lay tucked against me. I tightened my arm around her, pulling her a little closer, because no matter how close she was, it never felt like enough. 

Tonight had been a turning point—I could feel it.

Finally telling her how I felt, letting the words that had been driving me mad escape, had been like releasing a weight I didn't even realize I was carrying. Watching her reaction, hearing her response—it was more than I could have asked for. 

I'd fallen for her. Completely. In such a short span of time, Nova had managed to infiltrate every part of me, and I wasn't sure how or when it had happened. But I knew it was real.

I'd never felt this way before—this overwhelming need to be close to someone, to protect them, to see them smile. It was intoxicating, almost terrifying, but I welcomed it. 

Nova was unlike anyone I'd ever known. Fierce, clever, stubborn as hell, but underneath all of that, there was a vulnerability she rarely let anyone see.

I saw it tonight—the way her guard had dropped just enough to let me in—and I knew I'd do anything to keep her. 

Whatever this was between us, it was special. I could feel it in my gut, in the way my heart raced every time she looked at me, in the way everything else faded when she was near.

It was heading somewhere—somewhere good—and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn't just existing, but living. 

I exhaled softly, my hand brushing over the curve of her shoulder as I gazed at the ceiling. She stirred slightly, her head shifting against me as she let out a content sigh, and I couldn't help but smile. 

Nova's fingers were light against my skin, tracing the ink patterns etched over my arms and chest. I watched her, my head resting lazily against the pillow as she moved with quiet fascination, her touch gentle but deliberate.

It was calming, the way she did it—like she was learning me piece by piece, trying to memorize everything. 

But then she paused. Her fingertip hovered over my collarbone. She didn't say anything at first, just stared at it with a curious, almost cautious expression. 

"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice soft but firm. 

She finally looked up at me, her eyes searching mine.

"Ana," she said quietly, her tone unreadable, and something in my chest tightened. 

The name hit me like a punch to the gut, dragging up memories I'd buried long ago. My throat went dry, and I swallowed hard, looking away as if that might make it easier to avoid.

But Nova wasn't having it. 

Before I could even think of a way to deflect, she shifted. Rolling onto her stomach, she leaned up on her elbows, her face inches from mine as her dark eyes locked onto me with quiet intensity.