Morning light spilled into the hotel room, soft and golden, filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow on everything it touched. Zara stirred under the sheets, groaning softly. Last night had been intense, magical, unforgettable. Her heart still raced as she remembered Derek's mischievous grin, the way his hand had brushed hers, the spark of connection that had ignited between them.
Derek leaned against the headboard, casually scrolling through his phone, but the moment he looked up and saw her stirring, his face lit up. "Good morning," he said, voice low and teasing.
"Morning…" she murmured, still half-asleep, blinking up at him. "I didn't expect this."
He laughed softly, a sound that made her chest flutter. "Neither did I. But I'm glad it happened."
They shared a simple breakfast in the room—coffee, pastries, and laughter. Derek recounted his misadventures during the week, from tripping over his suitcase in the hotel lobby to getting lost on his way to a meeting. Zara laughed until her stomach ached, the sound echoing warmly in the small room.
"You really are trouble, Derek," she whispered, shaking her head, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Only the fun kind," he replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face, and their fingers brushed lightly as they reached for their coffee mugs. The electricity between them was undeniable.
Hours passed too quickly, and soon it was time to part ways. They lingered in the doorway, neither willing to let the moment end. Derek's hand brushed hers one last time, a silent promise hanging in the air.
"Can we… see each other again?" he asked softly, hope and anticipation in his eyes.
Zara nodded, her own heart pounding. "I'd like that," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
They exchanged a long, lingering hug, and then Derek stepped back, giving her a small, teasing wink. "Until next time, Zara."
"Until next time, Derek," she replied, her mind and heart spinning from the intensity of the night and the morning.
As she closed her hotel room door, Zara leaned against it, letting out a deep breath. The night had been a spark—one that promised more, something thrilling and new. She knew that no matter the distance, no matter the obstacles, what had started between them was real. And she couldn't wait to see where it would lead.