Kaelen wrapped me in his arms, both of us savouring the aftermath, my eyes still wet. With my head rested on his shoulder, my hand spread across his chest. His heartbeat still thrummed with excitement, yet he pulled the blanket over us, slowing his breath.
"Thank you, sayang," I whispered, content.
I still heard him teasing, "Thank you for letting me in, sayang."
His voice lingered in the haze between waking and dreaming, low and playful, yet threaded with a tenderness that wrapped around me tighter than the blanket. I drifted into sleep feeling claimed, not by lust, but by the way his low voice seeped in my ears.
When I stirred, half awake, Kaelen was still beside me. I felt him gently shift my head onto the pillow. He brushed a lock of hair from my forehead and kissed it.
"Just sleep, okay, sayang," he whispered.
The warmth of his voice lulled me back under.
By the time I fully woke, the room was dim, the curtains half open to the glittering city below. The skyline spilled into the suite like a quiet ocean of light, soft reflections shimmering across the walls. Kaelen was on the couch, one laptop closed, the other still glowing faintly, but his eyes weren't on the screen. They were on me.
His posture was relaxed, elbow balanced on the armrest, chin resting in his hand, but his gaze was unwavering, like he was afraid I might vanish if he looked away. A warmth spread in my chest, unnerving and fragile. No one had ever looked at me like I was worth waiting for. It made me feel like cherished.
"You're awake," he said, his voice softer than usual.
"What time is it?" I asked, my voice rough with sleep.
"Almost nine. I didn't want to wake you. You were out." His smile curved, a mixture of tenderness and pride. "Hungry?"
I nodded, sitting up, suddenly aware I was still wrapped in the hotel blanket. He laughed lightly, went to the phone, and ordered room service without asking what I wanted. He already knew.
I walked naked to the bathroom and stepped under the hot shower. His woody scent still clung to my skin. I didn't wash my hair—just a quick rinse, enough to freshen up, since I'd shower again when I got home.
He waited until I sat in the pantry next to his working desk.
Dinner came quickly—steaming rice, grilled fish, vegetables, soup. The smell filled the suite, grounding me. The room service quickly retreated.
He smiled and said, "I tried to work, but my mind just kept wandering." He could then gesture toward the laptop and add with a soft chuckle, "Moved my laptop to the bedroom to no avail. Watching you sleep... well, it makes me want to do a lot of other things."
I reached his hand on the desk, squeezed it. A teasing smile when I asked "A lot things?"
"Because you're beautiful babe. You know that."
We sat side by side at the small dining table, his knee brushing mine. I picked at my food, appetite not fully there, but the way he filled my bowl without asking made me eat anyway.
Neither of us spoke much. We didn't need to. His presence, the silence, the shared glances, it all said more than words.
When we finished, he poured me tea and leaned back in his chair, studying me as if memorizing. "I should send you home soon," he said reluctantly.
"I know." My chest tightened. I didn't want to leave. But it was late, and we both knew the world outside this suite was waiting.
He stood, walked over, and pulled me into his arms. His chin rested on my hair, his hands pressing firmly on my back as if holding me could stop time.
"Next time longer," he murmured.
"Next time longer," I echoed, my voice muffled against his chest.
The taxi ride home felt unreal. The night city lights passed by, but my body still remembered his warmth, his arms, his lips. My phone buzzed just as I walked into my house.
Good night, sayang. Dream of me."
I smiled through the ache in my chest, typing back before I could stop myself.
Always."
I woke up late, it was Saturday morning. With hazy head, the last night's scenes still looping through my mind. My body reacted to it. Missing him. Vaguely reminiscing his scent. I reached for my phone on the nightstand.
His message came half an hour ago.
Good morning, babe. Thank you for giving me home." The words curled into my chest. Not a place, not walls or keys—but me. I smiled through the ache, realizing that in the world we had, home could only ever mean each other.
Good morning sayang. I just woke up" I guessed my still hoarse voice conveyed the contentment and longing I felt right now as I sent the voice message.