32. Heart to heart.

**Eve**

Eve spent most of her evening in the shower, crying until there were no tears. She felt used and dirty, just like the evening before the mating ceremony. As the thought crossed her mind, she started wondering if the man who had locked her into this cage, was really the same man who saved her. She turned off the water, sliding the shower curtain away and getting out of the bathtub. Eve wasn't sure how she should react when he got back home. That is- if he did. She wrapped a towel around her body and carefully stepped outside the bathroom. Eve made sure that she was alone in the apartment, before heading into the closet to find something to wear. Just as her feet stepped into the closet, she heard the apartment door closing with a loud bang. She nearly jumped in fright. Eve bit her lip, thinking about what she should do next- stay hidden or check on him.

"Eve?" Eros called out for her. She shivered, in odd delight. Lately, his voice had so much effect on her; it was nearly impossible to hide her emotions. Eve kept quiet, scanning the hangers, trying to find anything that could fit her.

"Eve, where are you?" he called out again, dropping something on the floor, sounding distressed. She covered her mouth with her palms, afraid to let a sound slip out. Eve couldn't understand her conflicted feelings. Sometimes, she wanted to be close; sometimes, she wanted to run away as far as possible.

"Fuck. Eve? Eve, come out, this isn't funny! Eve!" He kept yelling, checking each door in the hall, on his way to the bedroom. Instead of calming him down and letting Eros know where she was, Eve kept quiet. He neared the bedroom, mumbling something under his breath, still calling out for her desperately.

"Damn it! Stupid, how stupid can you be? You fucking lost her! Eve, please, tell me you're here!" She heard Eros walking around the bedroom, turning around each piece of furniture in her way.

"Fuck, her scent is everywhere. Would she leave?" he mumbled, loud enough for Eve to hear it.

"Eve!" He yelled out, once again.

With a shaky voice, she finally replied: "I-I'm in the closet. G-getting dressed." Eve understood that Eros left in complete shock, he must have realized what he did and regretted his actions. She didn't want to hurt him, nor did she turn to face him. She reached for the hoodie when strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind and pulled her back against a rock-solid chest. He leaned into her neck, inhaling her scent deeper than ever, letting a sigh of delight leave his lips. Eve could feel how violently his heart was beating, for a moment, she felt bad for playing a trick on him.

"I thought you left me, kitten. I thought you ran away," he said against her neck, regret and pain laced in his words.

"I, I must have zoned out a bit, I'm sorry," she bit her lip again, feeling a little uncomfortable in his arms. Maybe, if she were fully dressed, instead of standing there just in a plain towel, she would feel much better.

"Happens, you have nothing to apologize for. I just got a little scared, I guess. I'll leave and wait till you get dressed. After you're done, please join me in the kitchen. I'd like to discuss something. It's really important." He pecked her cheek nervously and left her alone in the closet. Eve was left dumbfounded, no matter how hard she tried to figure him out, she couldn't. How can such an intimidating man be so caring and seemingly loving at the same time? She shook her head, trying to get rid of any thoughts before they talk. She grabbed the hoodie and a pair of shorts, slipping them on, giggling at times- amused by the vast difference of their bodies. She liked his clothing, it was warm, oversized for her tiny frame, and smelled of him- the perfect combination. Eve went to the kitchen, seeing Eros standing there, holding two cups of cocoa made her smile. He even added whipped cream and tiny marshmallows on top of one cup- her favourite. Eros smiled, admiring how gorgeous she looked in his clothes.

"Come on, follow me, I want to show you something," the smile never left his lips, as he gestured towards a door Eve hadn't noticed before. With ease, he held both cups in one hand, and opened the door, offering his hand to Eve. She gladly took it and let him lead her wherever he decided to take her. For just a moment, she doubted her decision to trust him, and follow blindly, all doubts fading when she noticed where they ended up. They stood on the rooftop, under the night sky, looking up at the stars. Tonight, the sky looked like a carpet, covered in glitter, making Eve gasp.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, more to herself.

"Not nearly as beautiful, as you are," Eros added, handing her the cup with her favourite toppings. Eve took a sip from it and moaned, earning a deep groan from Eros.

"Can I ask you a question?" Eros suddenly asked, a bit nervous.

"You already did," Eve giggled, taking another sip of her cocoa.

"Yeah, I guess I did," he chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Another one then," Eros added. Eve kept admiring the stars, nodding her head, waiting for him to talk. "Have you ever loved someone so much, you would give an arm to that person? It's not a metaphor, it's a real question," now he was looking up, avoiding any possibility of their gazes meeting.

"Aside from family?" She placed her index finger against her cheek, just like kids do when they think, looking as adorable as ever.

"Aside from family," he repeated.

"Oh, in that case... No, I don't think so," she sighed. It was bold from her to answer truthfully, taking in the fact that she had lied about having a boyfriend, a while ago.

"I see. Listen, I want to apologize, but I doubt that I'll ever find words good enough to earn your forgiveness. What I did earlier was unacceptable; I shouldn't let my instincts take over and give in so easily. I'm truly sorry," Eros hung his head low in shame. He did feel guilty for everything he did, and all the lies he had believed, especially ones coming from his mother.

"Yeah, you did take my virginity," Eve added, almost instantly slapping a palm over her mouth. What she didn't expect was to hear him laughing- not the right thing to do when you've done such a terrible thing.

"I didn't actually. I mean, you can put it in like that, but I didn't. Taking someone's virginity isn't something a man does with his fingers. You did claim that you had a boyfriend, is it so bold of me to assume that you lost it a long time ago? I'm truly sorry for what I did, forcing you, and not backing down before it was too late," Eros spoke calmly, meaning each word he said.

"Let's just drop this. Please," Eve sighed. She wanted to tell him that she lied, but the fear she felt wouldn't let her. She'd rather keep the secret, than risk pissing him off even more.

"Just know that I'm sorry," he whispered. For a while, they kept staring at the sky; both lost in their thoughts. Eve shivered as the wind caressed her skin, finally bringing her back to her senses, and noticing how much time they'd spent on the rooftop.

"This is my favourite place in the whole world. I first discovered it when I bought the building. There were two entrances to here, staircases leading from my apartment and one from the bar, but I almost instantly closed the one from the bar. You know, when the place feels so close to your heart, you never want outsiders to invade it. I kept coming here to think, regardless of whatever I felt at that moment- this was and still is my safe place. Now it's yours. I want to share everything with you, Eve. It doesn't matter, if it is bad or good, all of mine is yours. I don't want to keep secrets, I want to become the man you want to see by your side," his expression was serious, cold and focused, yet the words were sincere and full of emotions. Eve almost cried, suddenly feeling ungrateful for everything he was doing for her. Eros was trying so hard, a thing most men would never do.

"I-I understand," she sobbed, looking away from him. Eros put his cup down and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her in. He grabbed her chin gently, turning her face- so their eyes could finally meet.

"Don't hide your emotions from me, don't try to pretend to be strong when you're not, and I'll do the same. Your pain is my pain, Eve. Please, stop pushing me away," his eyes kept traveling from her eyes to her lips and back, Eve thought that he might try to kiss her. "Kitten, I don't want to admit everything, if all it's going to do is cause pain, but I will. I will be the most honest person alive when it comes to you. I care for you, so damn much, I'd lie to avoid hurting you, but I won't. Even if it hurts, I will tell you everything." Eros pulled her closer, enjoying how perfectly she fit into his arms. Eve stopped shivering, his body heat warmed her up, but so did his words. She was left speechless, no matter how hard the very beginning had been- she truly believed in what he said. No person alive, could fake the emotions, reflected in those blue eyes, staring straight into her soul.

"Are you sure this is going to work? I mean you and me. Us." She was unsure how Eros would react. Her question was a risk worth taking if it meant that he could give her any kind of answers.

"Hundred, if not a thousand percent sure. Eve, you are my destined mate, a gift from the Moon Goddess, which I truly don't deserve. But I won't let go of you; I can't. It's hard to believe, but I love you; I've loved you since the day I laid my eyes on you. You're the one for me, believe it or not- I'm the one for you. We fit together like two, lost pieces of the puzzle," Eros caressed her cheek, only now Eve understood how whipped he was. All thanks to her, a simple human girl.

"In that case, I guess it's worth the try," she blushed, surprised by her boldness.

"Just know- you are my heart, and I'm supposed to be your armor. I'll destroy anyone who even dares to think of hurting you," his words were cold, threatening, yet they made Eve feel as if she was the most important person in his life. As if she was worth anything and everything in his eyes. She smiled, looking into his eyes. Eros neared his face to hers. Finally, she felt his soft lips caging hers, kissing her with such tenderness; it nearly made her knees give in.