The Courage to Feel
Amelia stood on the balcony outside the hallway, her fingers wrapped tightly around the iron railing, as if grounding herself would stop the storm brewing inside her.
The wind was gentle, brushing her skin like a whisper, but her heart beat wildly with a chaos no breeze could calm.
She had spent days caring for Eli, watching him drift in and out of sleep, his skin hot with fever, his breath labored at times.
Everyone else saw it as a noble act of friendship.
But inside, Amelia wrestled with something deeper, something heavier.
Harrison had been quieter too, more distant since that moment in her room.
She could still feel the imprint of his hands, the weight of his kiss, intoxicating, hungry, sincere.
And yet, when she tried to lean into that memory, guilt tugged her back.
Eli had always been there, soft-spoken, steady, kind.
But Harrison made her feel things she couldn't easily name.
The door creaked behind her.
She didn't need to turn.
"I thought I'd find you here," Lena said gently.
Amelia let out a breath. "I needed air."
"You needed space from yourself," Lena replied, stepping beside her. "From what you're feeling."
Silence.
Lena waited. She had always been patient like that.
"I don't want to be the villain in someone's story," Amelia finally whispered.
"I don't want to hurt Eli. Or Harrison. Or myself."
"Loving someone isn't a weakness," Lena said.
"But avoiding your truth out of fear? That's how we break hearts, including our own."
Amelia's eyes welled with tears, but she didn't let them fall. "What if I choose wrong?"
"Then you'll learn. But at least you'll be brave enough to choose."
A small smile formed on Amelia's lips, sad but grateful.
Inside, Eli stirred on the couch where he'd been moved so the doctor could check in more often.
Harrison, sitting beside him, adjusted the blanket over Eli's chest and whispered something quietly, full of remorse and tenderness.
It was in that moment that Amelia realized: it wasn't just about who kissed her more deeply.
It was about who stirred something real in her, who saw her, completely.
And for once, she wasn't afraid to feel it.
A Quiet Resolve
The air inside the lodge had settled into a new kind of stillness.
The flurry of panic had passed, and now everyone moved a little more gently, spoke a little softer.
Eli was responding to treatment, his fever gradually lowering, his breaths deeper and more even.
Hope returned in fragile increments.
Amelia sat by the window that overlooked the garden behind the house, a cup of warm tea in her hands.
The steam rose slowly, curling in the air like the uncertainty still wrapped around her thoughts.
She had made a decision.
Not one spoken aloud.
Not yet.
But a decision nonetheless.
She would wait.
Wait for Eli to recover fully, for the brightness to return to his eyes, for the ache to leave his body, for the group to breathe freely again.
Only then would she speak her truth.
Because Eli deserved clarity.
Not the leftover remnants of confusion.
Not a version of her weighed down by guilt or pressure.
She wanted to look him in the eyes when she told him, with honesty and respect, that her heart had shifted.
She hadn't meant for it to.
She didn't ask for Harrison to come back into her life and pull open a door she'd spent years closing.
But the heart was never still; it pulsed, moved, reached.
And now hers had found its rhythm again in a place she hadn't expected.
Harrison.
His name alone sent a flush to her cheeks.
She remembered his touch, his kiss, the conflict in his eyes when he held her, as if she were the only person in the world.
But for now, she kept her distance.
Not because she didn't feel anything, but because she respected what needed to come first.
Healing.
When Lena sat beside her quietly, brushing their shoulders together, Amelia finally spoke.
"I know what I want," she whispered.
"I just need to wait a little longer… until he's strong enough.
He deserves to hear it when he's himself again. And not before."
Lena nodded. "That's brave of you. Not rushing it. Giving space to speak with kindness, not guilt."
Amelia looked down at her tea, a small smile forming.
"I want to do this right."
And in that moment, the heavy weight on her chest lifted, just a little.
Because decisions made with patience and courage are never wrong. Only honest.
The air in Harrison's room felt warmer than usual, thick with words unsaid, feelings unspoken.
After lunch, Amelia stepped inside quietly, not sure what she expected, just that her heart had been restless ever since their last conversation.
Harrison was already there, standing near the window, his arms crossed, brows slightly furrowed.
He turned the moment she entered.
"I'm not willing to back off," he continued. "But Eli… he's our friend.
And I've been thinking lately." He stepped closer.
"Tell me… do you like him? Because if you do, I'll respect your choice.
Maybe after the celebration, I'll book a flight and go back to where I came from.
Maybe then there'll be peace."
That tore at her.
"Leaving isn't the solution," Amelia said quickly, stepping forward.
"We're a big family now, Harrison.
What if you're the one I want? Would you still leave?
Would you walk away again, just like you did all those years ago?"
He stilled.
"Come to think of it," she went on, "you were gone for years… you're grown now.
Were you, or are you, in a relationship there?"
Harrison ran a hand through his hair, pacing.
"I was," he admitted. "But she always felt like I wasn't fully present… that I didn't love her enough.
So she ended it."
Amelia narrowed her gaze. "And how am I supposed to believe you now?"
He stopped, hands sliding into his pockets.
"We're friends, Amelia. I don't have to lie to you."
He took a step toward the door, and without breaking eye contact, he gently clicked it shut.
Locked.
Her heart pounded.
He came back to her, slower this time, eyes never leaving hers.
He sat close, so close she could feel his breath graze her cheek.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, he cupped her face and kissed her.
Deeply. Urgently. Silencing her with softness and fire all at once.
"Don't say anything," he whispered against her lips.
"Please.
"Just… be quiet for a second."
As the room is filled with a tense, charged atmosphere, Harrison leans in closer to Amelia, his breath hot against her ear.
His fingers brush against her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted you," he murmurs, his voice low and possessive.
His fingers slide down her arm, his touch gentle yet insistent, as they find their way to the hem of her shirt.
"I love you, Amelia," he said, voice low but firm, no hesitation.
"And I see it in your eyes, you want me too."
She didn't respond immediately. Her mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out.
She could feel herself trembling as his fingers trailed down her arms.
She wanted to push him away, but her body didn't move.
Not when his hands found her waist and pulled her into him, lips exploring hers with hungry passion, like he had memorized every curve of her mouth.
As his fingers slip under the hem of her shirt, they graze against the bare skin of her abdomen, sending a shiver down her spine.
Amelia gasps softly at the contact, her body responding involuntarily to his touch.
"Harrison," she whispers, her voice filled with a mixture of desire and uncertainty.
His fingers trace a path upwards, tracing the curve of her waist and the edge of her bra.
It's as if he's mapping out her body with his touch, committing every dip and curve to memory.
"I wanted to let go," he murmured, his forehead resting against hers.
"So you could choose Eli. But I can't. Not when you're this close. I want you… badly."
"Harrison," she said, breathless, "stop, we can't do this again."
"But I want to," he breathed, kissing her again, longer, deeper.
He moves closer still, pressing his body against hers so that she can feel the heat radiating off him.
"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his fingers continuing to explore the terrain of her body.
His hand slides higher, his touch growing bolder, seeking out the sensitive skin just below her collarbone.
He nuzzles his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling the scent of her skin.
As his lips graze the soft flesh there, he can feel her heart beating rapidly, betraying her arousal.
His lips linger at the base of her neck, his tongue darting out to taste her skin.
He can feel her breath hitching, her body trembling as his fingers move higher, his touch becoming more intimate.
He cups her breast in his hand, his palm warm and possessive against her.
"I want to hear you say my name," he whispers, the sound of his voice thick with lust.
He can feel her arching into his touch, her body craving more.
His lips move to her ear, his breath hot against her skin.
He guided her gently backward onto the bed, his hands never leaving her.
His body hovered over hers, warm and solid, his lips trailing a line from her jaw to her collarbone, down to the curve of her thigh.
She gasped softly, her skin alive under every touch.
And in that moment, Amelia stopped thinking.
She stopped remembering Eli, stopped questioning Harrison's past.
All that existed was now. This heat. This hunger. This need.
She gave in.
He moves his lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear, his tongue tracing a circle there, knowing that it will drive her crazy.
His fingers continue to explore her body, touching and teasing her in all the right places.
"Say my name," he whispers again, his voice low and commanding.
As he moves his mouth down to her neck, biting and sucking at the sensitive skin there, he can hear her whimper softly, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
He can feel her body responding to his touch, the way her hips arch towards his, seeking out more contact.
His hand slides down to her hip, his grip becoming more possessive as he pulls her closer, his body pressing against hers.
"I can feel how much you want me," he whispers into her ear, his words both a statement and a taunt.
He nips at her earlobe, his teeth grazing the soft flesh there.
He kisses down the length of her neck, his lips lingering on her collarbone before moving lower, towards the dip in her throat.
His tongue dips into the hollow there, tasting her skin.
"You drive me crazy," he murmurs, his words punctuated by the soft kisses he places along her chest.
He moves his hand to her thigh, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles on the soft flesh there, creeping higher with every pass.
The world outside faded. Time unraveled.
He moves his hand higher still, his fingers tracing the edge of her shorts.
"Do you want this?" he asks, his voice low and hoarse, as he teases her with his touch.
"Do you want me to touch you...?"
She gasps at the question, her body trembling in anticipation.
She doesn't respond, but the way she arches into his touch is answer enough.
He leans in close, his lips brushing her ear as he whispers, "Close your eyes for me."
With a shiver of anticipation, she closes her eyes, surrendering herself to the sensations coursing through her.
She can feel his breath against her cheek, his body radiating heat like a furnace.
It's like all her senses are heightened, every touch, every sound, every scent intensified by the darkness behind her eyelids.
His fingers inch higher, slipping beneath the fabric of her shorts, his touch like a brand against her skin.
"Relax," he murmurs, his voice soft but commanding.
He leans in, pressing a kiss to her jawline, his lips moving against her skin.
"You're so beautiful," he whispers again, his voice heavy with desire.
"So perfect."
His fingers caress her hip, his touch light and gentle, contrasting with the possessive strength of his grip.
She can feel the heat building between them, the tension crackling in the air like electricity.
As he moves his lips to her ear, his breath warm against her skin, he asks,
"Can I touch you more?"
Amelia's voice is breathy and soft as she whispers, "Yes, please."
Harrison can feel her body trembling in anticipation, her reaction like fuel to the fire burning within him.
He responds by pressing another kiss to her jawline, his lips lingering there for a moment before moving down to her neck.
"Good girl,"
He whispers, his voice a low growl that sends a shiver down her spine.
His hand moves higher still, slowly tracing a path up her thigh.
His fingers slide across her sensitive skin, sending jolts of pleasure through her body as he plays with her.
She gasped softly, her body arching into his touch.
"Oh, God," she breathes, her voice trembling with need.
"You feel so good."
His touch is gentle yet insistent, his fingers exploring her with confidence.
She feels completely at his mercy, her body responding to his touch in ways she never thought possible.
"Please, don't stop," she whispers, her voice barely above a breathy whimper.
"I want you so badly."
As his fingers continue to explore her body, her breath comes in ragged gasps.
"You feel incredible," he whispers into her ear, his voice thick with desire.
His touch is gentle but insistent, as if he knows exactly how to touch her to drive her wild.
She can feel the heat building between them, her body arching into his touch in a silent plea for more.
"I can't get enough of you," he murmurs, his lips brushing against her neck. "I want you, all of you."
And for a while, it was just them, wrapped in fire and feeling, tangled in a storm they could no longer ignore.
She gasps at his touch, her body arching into him as his fingers move inside of her slowly and gently, exploring her with intimate familiarity.
"I can't believe how good this feels," she breathes, her voice trembling with pleasure.
"I can't get enough of you."
Her body presses against his, her hands gripping his shoulders, desperate to get closer.
She wants to feel him everywhere, to lose herself in the sensations that he ignites in her.
"More," she whispers, her voice pleading and demanding. "Give me more."
Harrison's heart skips a beat at the desire in Amelia's voice.
He gently pushes her, making her sit on the edge of the bed, then kneels in front of her.
His hands slide up her legs, slowly moving in, his touch leaving a trail of heat in its wake.
"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his voice rough with desire. "And I'm going to make you feel even more beautiful." after a long run of romance and intimate.
Harrison watches as Amelia drifts off to sleep, her head resting against his chest, her breathing slow and steady.
He runs his fingers through her hair, a soft smile playing at his lips as he takes in her peaceful expression.
A sense of contentment washes over him as he holds her close, feeling the steady rise and fall of her body as she slumbers.
He gently tugs the blankets up around them, making sure she's comfortable, and nuzzles his face into her hair, inhaling her scent.
He feels a sense of contentment settle over him, his chest swelling with love for the woman in his arms.
As the room grows quiet around them, he whispers, "I love you." Amelia nestles closer, her head pillowed on his chest, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips even in sleep.
He savors the moment, relishing the feel of her body against his, the warm, intimate space they've created.
He continues to stroke her hair, gently massaging her scalp as he whispers soft, soothing words into her ear.
"Sleep, my love," he murmurs, his voice gentle and tender.
"I'll be here when you wake up."
He pulls her in closer, molding her body to his, her soft curves fitting perfectly against him.
As Harrison holds Amelia close, he can feel his eyelids growing heavy, the fatigue of the day catching up to him.
He nuzzles his face into her hair, inhaling her familiar, comforting scent.
The rhythm of her breathing, the feel of her body against his, it all lulls him into a state of blissful tranquility.
Slowly, he surrenders to sleep, his eyelids fluttering shut as he drifts off to dreamland, his body still curled around hers, their limbs tangled together.