CHAPTER 49 — Closer Than He Allows
576 Words
One month passed.
The nightmares faded.
The bruises healed.
The poison was gone from Kaela’s body.
But Vionn…
He still carried every scar inside him.
He had buried himself in work — meetings, security upgrades, expansion projects — anything to keep busy. Anything to avoid facing the dangerous truth:
He was falling for his wife.
Kaela, however, had stopped pretending she didn’t care.
---
Today was a quiet morning.
Sunlight spilled through the Blackwood mansion windows, warm and golden. Kaela stood in the hallway wearing a soft pastel dress, humming gently while arranging flowers in a vase.
A very domestic scene.
…which is exactly why Vionn froze when he walked in.
She looked like home.
He fought the urge to step closer — to tuck the loose strand of honey-blonde hair behind her ear — to pull her into his arms and never let go.
But he cleared his throat instead.
Kaela smirked without turning around.
“You’re staring, Mr. Blackwood.”
“I’m… observing,” he corrected stiffly.
“Oh?” She finally faced him, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“What exactly are you observing?”
His jaw flexed.
“You seem better.”
Her smile softened. “Because of you.”
That struck deep.
Too deep.
He looked away. “Don’t make me the reason.”
She stepped closer — slow, fearless — until her hand brushed his sleeve.
“You already are.”
Vionn’s breath caught.
Her closeness… it made his world shake again.
“You should rest more,” he muttered.
“I’m fine.” She rose onto her toes, whispering near his jaw,
“Stop running.”
“I’m not—”
She pressed a finger to his lips.
“Liar.”
His eyes darkened. He grabbed her wrist gently but firmly — as if stopping himself from dragging her against him.
“I’m trying to protect you, Kaela.”
“From what?” she whispered.
“Yourself… or your feelings for me?”
That hit him like a punch.
Her lips were inches away.
Her heartbeat echoed against his chest.
Vionn inhaled sharply… leaning in… closer…
Door swings open.
“BRO— oh. Uh.”
Lucas froze mid-step, eyes wide.
“Should I… come back later?”
Kaela jumped away instantly, blushing.
Vionn exhaled through clenched teeth.
“Lucas.”
Lucas lifted a hand in surrender.
“I just came to tell you the security team is ready for—”
“Out.”
Vionn’s voice was deadly calm.
Lucas nodded quickly and backed out of the room, shutting the door faster than lightning.
Silence.
Kaela bit her lip, eyes lowering.
“See?” Vionn murmured. “Distraction.”
Her finger traced the outline of his chest slowly.
“Then maybe,” she said with a daring smile,
“I should distract you more often.”
Vionn’s control snapped for a heartbeat.
He cupped her face — not quite a kiss, but so close her breath tangled with his.
“Kaela…”
His voice was low, shaky, dangerous.
“Don’t… tempt me.”
“I already am.”
Soft — bold — hers.
He stepped back suddenly.
Distance.
Walls.
He couldn’t lose control.
Not yet.
Kaela watched him go — a small laugh escaping her lips.
She wasn’t scared anymore.
She was winning.
And Vionn knew it.
Every day…
every smile…
every stolen breath…
She was becoming the one thing he could never walk away from.
Even if he tried.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD