145
Morning filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom. Yalda stirred slowly, her body pleasantly sore and deeply relaxed. She felt the subtle ache in her thighs, a slight burn in her wrists from the silk, and the hum of satisfaction that still lingered in her bones. Beside her, Ioannis lay on his side, watching her with a soft, unreadable expression.
She blinked up at him, brushing hair from her face. "You're up early."
"Yes yes," he said. "I couldn't help but watch you sleep."
Her face warmed at his words, her heart bloated and warmed as she stared back at him. He made her feel so much, so intensely.
He shifted closer. "Talk to me."
She hesitated, she didn't know what to say, she didn't know how to tell him he made her feel everything without being dramatic. "I loved last night."
"What part?"
"All of it," she said quickly. "You're so good at what you do, so hot."
He smirked, fingers brushing the inside of her arm. "You flatter me."
She chuckled.
Ioannis leaned in, kissing her shoulder. "I could get used to this. I could do this everyday for the rest of my life."
She knew he wasn't talking about just the sex, she knew he meant waking up to her beside him, to talking to her, to laughing with her. And honestly, she also wouldn't mind doing it for the rest of her life.
"How are you real?" She asked him. She couldn't understand how a power and handsome manike himself who was perfection personified could long for her so much. She didn't understand how he was so gentle, thoughtful and everything she needed.
He pulled her into his chest, holding her close. "Enough flattery for now."
And she chuckled once more.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other, no words needed. The morning passed slowly. Ioannis made coffee while Yalda took a long, hot shower, letting the water soothe her muscles. She stood under the spray for minutes longer than usual, thinking.
She thought about who she used to be.
The girl who had once taken the smallest crumbs of affection from Alexander and convinced herself it was a feast. The woman who had crswled away from that past, broken but determined to survive.
And now? Now she was rediscovering herself, slowly but surely, in the arms of a man who asked instead of took, who gave instead of demanded.
When she finally emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a robe, Ioannis was sitting on the bed, scrolling through his phone. He looked up with a welcoming smile.
"How are you feeling now?"
She smirked, crossing the room. "Like I could eat three croissants, a tub of hummus, and still want dessert."
He laughed. "That can be arranged."
They decided to go out, something casual. Yalda braided her damp hair and slipped into a flowy sundress, while Ioannis changed into jeans and a dark t-shirt. They drove into the small coastal town not far from the villa, the windows down, salty breeze whipping through the car.
Yalda rested her head against the seat, watching the hills pass by. Her hand found Ioannis's, their fingers lacing together without effort.
"You okay?" he asked, glancing at her. She was usually quiet.
"Yeah. Just thinking."
"Want to talk about it?"
She took a breath. "Do you ever worry this will fade? That it’s just... passion?"
He slowed at a stop sign, turning fully toward her. "No. Because what I feel for you isn’t just desire. It’s quiet moments like these. It’s listening to you breathe while you sleep. It’s watching you pull yourself together bit by bit."
She smiled and squeezed his hand gently.
He raised their entwined hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. "It’s watching you come back to life, day by day."
Soon enough, they parked near a small market and wandered through the cobbled streets. Yalda picked out fresh bread, olives, a few pastries. Ioannis added a bottle of white wine and some chocolate.
They found a quiet spot at the edge of a park with a view of the sea and spread out their impromptu picnic on a bench. Yalda nibbled on a chocolate croissant while Ioannis poured them each a bit of wine.
"So," he said, leaning back. "What would you like to explore next?"
She licked chocolate off her thumb and considered. "I don’t know yet. But I like the idea of trying things I never let myself want before. Of not being ashamed."
"There’s no shame in wanting."
"I know that now." She met his gaze. "With you, I feel free."
His smile softened. "That’s all I ever wanted to give you."
A true sense of freedom. To breathe and desire without any shame. To b who she truly was around him and everyone else without feeling sorry.
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