A Dance with Danger

Chapter Sixty-Two

**Estelle’s POV**

A yawn escaped my lips as I entered our bedroom, the cool, serene atmosphere of the room greeting me like a soft embrace. The dim glow of the city lights filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows over the plush furniture. I could already feel the weight of the night settling into my bones, a mixture of the tension from the party and the uncertainty we were now facing.

Tiberius was sitting on the sofa, his posture relaxed yet alert, taking a slow sip from the glass of vodka in his hand. His dark eyes glimmered with that usual intensity that both unsettled and excited me. He looked as composed as always, but I knew better than to believe that facade was all there was to him. I could see it in the tightness around his jaw, the subtle frown in the way his brow furrowed. Something was still bothering him, and I could feel the unease in the air.

“It’s one in the morning, Mr. Kavouris,” I said, my voice soft as I made my way over to the bed. My words were playful, but there was an edge of concern underneath. I hadn’t expected him to still be awake—he usually preferred the quiet of the night, letting it be his time to think, but I wasn’t sure if tonight was one of those nights.

He turned his head toward me at the sound of my voice, his lips curling into a small, amused smirk. “I’m not tired, malyshka,” he replied, his deep voice smooth and effortless.

I could see that in the way he held himself, every inch of him radiating the kind of strength that made him so unyielding to the world. It was easy to forget that he wasn’t invincible, that underneath that impenetrable exterior was a man capable of feeling, of worry, of everything that made him... human.

I slipped out of my shoes and crawled into the bed, the softness of the sheets feeling like a welcome refuge. I didn’t even glance at the clock as I settled into my side of the bed, but I could sense Tiberius standing there for a moment longer before he placed his glass down on the nightstand.

The rustling of sheets filled the air as he moved toward his side of the bed. The room felt like it was closing in, but in the best way, like the world outside had paused and we were the only two people who mattered. I could feel his presence like a steady weight, a constant force beside me. The bed creaked slightly as he slipped in next to me, the warmth of his body radiating against my skin.

We lay there in silence for a beat, facing each other, the dim light catching the sharp lines of his features. His dark eyes never left mine, and I could feel the shift in the atmosphere between us. The tension of the night, the uncertainty of everything that had just transpired, still hung in the air like an unspoken agreement.

“You don’t have to be awake right now, you know,” I murmured, my voice softer now, my hands unconsciously brushing through my hair. "You should rest. You’ve been at this all day."

Tiberius didn't respond immediately. Instead, he let his gaze linger on me, his eyes searching mine as if he were looking for something, something he didn’t quite find just yet. His breathing slowed, the only sound between us the rhythmic hum of the air conditioner, keeping the room cool despite the heat of the moment.

"You know I can’t rest until I know everything is in control," he finally said, his voice low, almost like a secret he hadn’t fully shared with anyone. “And right now, nothing feels under control, malyshka.”

His words, though calm, sent a flutter of unease through me. I knew him well enough to understand the undertones of his voice—the way it softened when he was on the verge of saying something more, something deeper. And though I wasn’t sure if he meant to, I felt like he was letting me in on the raw part of him, the part that was always so guarded.

I reached for his hand, which had been resting on the pillow next to him. My fingers wrapped around his, and I felt the familiar jolt of warmth shoot through me at the touch. It wasn’t just about comfort—it was about connection.

"Whatever happens, we’ll handle it together," I said, my voice steady even though the anxiety gnawed at the back of my mind. I meant every word. Tiberius and I, we weren’t just partners in this dangerous, high-stakes life—we were bound together by something deeper, something I couldn’t quite explain yet. 

His eyes flickered to where our hands were entwined, his thumb brushing gently over my skin as if savoring the touch. "I know," he murmured, his voice softening. "But it’s hard to turn off, Estelle. It’s hard to let go when everything is a game, and one wrong move can cost everything."

"I know."

His eyes softened for a moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air before he finally exhaled, rolling toward me so that we were face to face. His chest brushed against mine, the heat of his body seeping into me, and I could feel the air between us thickening.

“Promise me you’ll stay by my side no matter what,” he whispered, his voice suddenly intense, laced with an emotion I couldn’t quite name.

I could feel the tremble in his voice, and it set my heart racing. His vulnerability was a rare sight, and it was a side of him I didn’t take lightly. 

“I will. I always will,” I whispered back, my hand moving to cup the side of his face. I traced the sharp line of his jaw, the roughness of his stubble brushing against my palm. "Tiberius, I—"

Before I could finish my sentence, his lips were on mine. The kiss was sudden, urgent, like he couldn’t wait another moment to claim the space between us. His lips were firm but gentle, tasting of vodka.

The way he kissed me, like he was pouring everything into it, made my heart beat faster, my body pressing closer to his. I responded without hesitation, my fingers threading through his dark hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss.

It was more than just desire. It was the need to feel alive, to feel *him*, all of him.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathless, I could see the unspoken intensity in his eyes, the weight of everything that had been building between us.

His forehead rested against mine, and he whispered in Russian, the words hitting me like a promise, a vow. 

"I will only care about you, malyshka."

The words sent a shiver down my spine. I could feel the sincerity in them, the depth of his feelings, and it made me melt into him even more.

I leaned in to kiss him again, but this time, he stopped me with a gentle touch. His fingers slipped down to my left hand, where I was still playing with my wedding ring, and he took my ring finger in his hand, holding it delicately between his thumb and forefinger. 

He pressed a soft kiss to the ring, his lips lingering there for a moment longer than necessary. His gaze never left mine as he did so, and the tenderness in his actions made my heart ache with affection for him.

“I don’t deserve you, Estelle,” he murmured, the words more vulnerable than I’d ever heard from him.

I shook my head, gently tugging on his shirt as I kissed him again, this time slower, more deliberate. I wanted him to know that he didn’t have to prove anything. We didn’t need anything other than each other.

“I love you, Tiberius,” I whispered against his lips, knowing that the words were true in every sense of the word. I had never been more sure of anything in my life.

His eyes darkened slightly at the words, his grip tightening on my hand, and he pulled me closer, as if afraid I might disappear if he let go.

“I love you too, Estelle,” he replied, his voice rough with emotion.

And in that moment, I realized that no matter what challenges lay ahead, no matter the dangers that threatened to tear us apart, we would always have each other. And that, more than anything, was enough.

*******

Awww 🥰 tiberius finally say he loves Estelle, ti-bear take care of one of my babies.