ARRANGED (Book 1) ✔

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR.

(Eric's Pov)

It was two am in the morning, yet here I lay in bed, wide awake. After the conversation I had with Lea, it was as if my mind wouldn't switch off. I couldn't help but still feel her lips against mine, it was a sensational feeling.

A feeling I couldn't describe, yet wanted more of. It was lust; I tried to tell myself. But my mind wouldn't settle for that. I couldn't lie - it was something more, something I was unfamiliar with. 

I shook off my thoughts, sitting up in bed. I ran a hand through my hair, switching on the lamp placed on the drawer beside my bed. 

A sudden knock sounded on the door and I thought I was hearing things. But a second later, another knock followed. My brows narrowed in confusion. I stood up from my bed, making my way over to the door. I turned the door open, my eyes meeting with a nervous looking Lea.

"Lea? What are you doing here?" I questioned, clearing my throat when noticing how drowsy it must have sounded. 

"If I'm being honest, I-I don't know." She whispered, shrugging to herself. My left brow raised as I crossed my arms over my chest, my eyes grazing over her figure. She was dressed in a dark purple, lace nightdress, a white, silk robe over it.

Christ.

"Well...would you like to come in?" I asked, after a few seconds of silence. She shyly nodded, and I stepped aside, letting her come in. She walked a little into the room and I shut the door behind her, coming to stand by her side.

I placed my hand on her arm, making her jump in surprise. She peered up at me, her innocent blue eyes, staring into my hazel ones. I offered a smile, which she weakly returned. 

She was nervous.

"Sit," I motioned towards the end of my bed. She did as I said, not even being hesitant towards my command. That was one the things I picked up about her; she was very obedient. I sighed, my eyes glued to the nervous Lea.

It was nice knowing I had effect on her, but sometimes, I wish she would relax around me. For instance, right now.

"I'm sorry! I'm probably disturbing you. I-I'll leave." She blurted out, shooting up from the end of my bed. 

"No, sit, Lea. I was already awake, I couldn't fall asleep." I told her, watching as her brows knotted. 

"You were?" She gently asked, confusion present in her tone. I nodded, taking a seat by the edge of my bed and patting the empty seat beside. She sunk back down beside me, playing with her hands.

"Why weren't you asleep?" I questioned, my curiosity getting the better of me. She paused with her fidgeting, biting her lip in a nervous gesture.

If only she knew how much that affected me...

Without thinking, I reached out to unlatch her lip from her teeth. She froze, staring at me with widen eyes. 

"Stop being so nervous, Lea. Relax, alright?" I whispered, my tongue brushing over my lips. Her eyes followed my tongue's movement, slowly nodding.

"Good." I mumbled, slowly letting go of her lip. I cleared my throat, brushing my hair back with my hands.

"I-I couldn't sleep." She replied to my previous question. 

"Why not?" I pressed.

"B-Because, I was thinking about what you said...and I...what you said...I want to know what you meant..." She trailed off, her words all over the place. My brows narrowed as I pursed my lips.

"What?" I said, confused. She let out a heavy sigh, her eyes flickering to me nervously.

"Y-You said, you wish I could trust you, s-so that you could make me feel good..." She whispered, her breathing picking up. My eyes widened in realization, once again licking my lips.

"What did you mean?" She breathed, her eyes looking into mine. My eyes narrowed as I tried my best to read her.

"Do you trust me, Lea?" I sternly questioned.

"W-What, why?" She stuttered.

"Answer the question; do you trust me, Lea?" I pressed. A pause, before she nodded.

"Yes, Eric. I trust you." She softly replied. 

"Then I'll show you what I meant." I muttered.

"Lay down and relax, just enjoy what I'm about to do." 

_

(Narrator's Pov)

The air was thick with unspoken feelings, and I could sense that Eric was carefully considering the moment. He had always been gentle and respectful, but I couldn't ignore the butterflies fluttering in my stomach as we stood close to one another.

His eyes softened as he looked at me, a calm warmth in his expression. "I want you to feel comfortable, Lea," he whispered, his voice steady but filled with care. "We can take things slow. I want you to trust me."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness, but his words brought me comfort. I trusted him, I knew that much.

We moved closer, the space between us closing gradually. His hand gently reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch tender. There was no rush, no pressure. Just a quiet understanding between us.

He looked into my eyes, and for a moment, it felt as if the world outside of us disappeared. His lips brushed against mine, soft and hesitant at first. It was a gentle kiss, filled with the promise of something deeper. I responded in kind, my heart racing, but my mind clear. We both knew this moment was about trust, about respect.

We broke apart for a moment, our breaths mingling in the silence. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his concern evident in his gaze.

I nodded, my smile shy but sincere. "Yes, I'm okay."

Eric smiled back, a reassuring, warm smile that made me feel safe and valued. "Good," he murmured, as he slowly pulled me closer again, his hand lightly resting on my back. The kiss resumed, but it was tender, full of care, neither of us pushing for anything more than what felt right in the moment.

It wasn't about rushing or letting emotions get the best of us. It was about learning to trust, to be vulnerable with one another. And in that moment, I felt closer to him than I ever had before.

As we pulled away, I found myself feeling more at peace than I had in a long time. He didn't say anything more, but his actions spoke volumes. There was no need for words. What mattered was the respect we showed each other, the space we gave each other to just be ourselves.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice soft but full of gratitude.

He nodded, a quiet understanding passing between us. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you're here."

And in that moment, I knew everything was as it should be.

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