CHAPTER TEN
Morning light came through the windows.
Lira woke slowly. Warm. Safe. She was in Kael's bed. His arm was around her. His breathing was soft and steady.
She turned to look at him. Asleep. His face was relaxed. No mask. No armor. Just him.
He looked younger. Softer. She wanted to remember this moment forever.
His eyes opened. He saw her watching him.
"Good morning," he whispered.
"Good morning."
He pulled her closer. Kissed her forehead.
"You stayed," he said.
"I stayed."
They lay there for a long time. Not talking. Just holding each other.
---
Finally, he spoke.
"I've never had this," he said. "Waking up with someone. Feeling like I belong here."
"Me neither."
He looked at her. "I don't want to lose this."
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
She touched his face. "Because I'm not going anywhere. Remember? No expiration date."
He smiled. A real smile. Full and warm.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
---
They made breakfast together. Burned eggs again. Perfect.
They ate at the counter. Talking about nothing. Planning the day. She had studio time. He had meetings. But tonight, they would come home to each other.
Before he left, he kissed her long and slow.
"I'll be back by seven," he said.
"I'll be here."
He left. She stood in the kitchen and smiled.
---
That afternoon, she visited her father.
Antonio was doing well. Walking without help. Talking about returning to work part-time.
She told him about last night. About staying. About waking up together.
Her father listened. He smiled.
"So," he said. "It's real now."
"Yes. It's real."
He took her hand. "I'm happy for you, mija. Truly happy."
She hugged him tight.
"Does he know?" Antonio asked. "About the contract? About how it started?"
"He knows. We talked about it. We're past that now."
Her father nodded. "Good. The past is the past. The future is what matters."
---
That evening, Kael came home at 6:30.
Earlier than promised. She was cooking. He came up behind her. Arms around her waist.
"I couldn't focus," he said. "I kept thinking about this morning."
"Me too."
They cooked together. Ate together. Cleaned together.
After dinner, they sat on the balcony. His arm around her. Her head on his shoulder.
"I talked to Marcus today," he said.
"About what?"
"About the contract. About us."
She looked at him. "What did you say?"
"I told him the contract doesn't matter anymore. That I'm keeping you. Forever."
Her heart swelled.
"What did he say?"
"He said he knew. He said he's been watching me fall in love for weeks."
She laughed. "Everyone sees it but us."
"Maybe we were too scared to see it."
"Not anymore."
He kissed her. Soft. Sweet. Long.
---
That night, they lay in bed together.
Her head on his chest. His hand in her hair.
"Lira?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For staying. For seeing me. For loving me."
She lifted her head. Looked at him.
"Thank you for letting me in."
He kissed her forehead.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
They fell asleep in each other's arms.
For the first time in his life, Kael Vance slept through the night without waking.
For the first time in hers, Lira Santos felt completely, utterly safe.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Friday morning. Lira woke in Kael's arms.
She smiled before she opened her eyes. The warmth of him. The steady beat of his heart under her ear.
His hand moved gently on her back. Awake too.
"Good morning," he whispered.
"Good morning."
They lay there. Not rushing. Not moving. Just being together.
"Today is Friday," he said.
"I know."
"I have meetings. But I keep thinking about canceling them."
She lifted her head. "You can't cancel meetings."
"I know." He sighed. "But I want to stay here. With you."
She kissed him. Soft. Sweet.
"I'll be here when you get back," she said.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
---
He left at 8am. She stayed in bed for a while. His pillow smelled like him. She buried her face in it and smiled.
Finally, she got up. Made coffee. Sat at the counter with her sketchbook.
She drew him. From memory. The way he looked asleep. Peaceful. Young. Free.
When she finished, she stared at the drawing. She had never drawn anyone she loved before. It felt different. Deeper.
She texted him a photo.
This is how I see you.
His reply came fast.
I want to be that man. The one you see.
She smiled.
You already are.
---
That afternoon, she visited her father.
Antonio was in the kitchen. Cooking. First time in months.
"Papa, you shouldn't be—"
"I should be cooking for my daughter," he said. "Sit. Eat."
She sat. He served her rice and beans. Her mother's recipe.
They ate together. Talking about nothing. Everything.
"He loves you," Antonio said. "I can see it in your eyes."
"In my eyes?"
"When you talk about him. You light up."
She thought about it. She did light up. He was her light.
"Yes," she said. "He love
s me. And I love him."
Her father nodded. "Good. That's all I ever wanted for you. Someone who sees you."
She reached across the table. Took his hand.
"You saw me, Papa. You always did."
He squeezed her hand. His eyes were wet.