AGAIN MY HEART: Her Alphas Regret

ENOUGH FOR HIM

LEILANI

I could tell the minute Eystein walked into the house because not only could I sense his presence, but the scent of his perfume wafted into the kitchen, announcing his presence.

I left the office early today because we promised to spend more time together. We’ve both been busy these past weeks. Eystein has a new business collaboration he has over in Bellaur, and I have the new branch of my restaurant, which I recently opened in three provinces over, and I am trying to make up for all the demands.

In the past three weeks, I think I’ve only been back here in the capital a handful of times, three or four, and I’ve spent most of the spare time I had with my son. So today was for Eystein, some time for ourselves.

I heard his footsteps as he approached the kitchen, and his hands found my waist. My fingers slid into his as if they belonged there, as if they had already committed his shape to memory before I ever acknowledged how much I needed it.

“I missed you,” Eystein says, voice low, the words brushing warm against my ear as he leans in.

I turn in his arms, a soft shiver runs through me, starting at my spine and blooming outwards. His presence around me ever since we started dating, and my letting myself let go of my fears, has always felt like this. The subtle gestures that always settle something deep within me.

“I’ve missed you too,” I murmured, staring up at him because it was the truth. I take in his bright green eyes, finding myself getting lost in how warm and comforting they are. I can’t believe there was a time when I’d convinced myself that this Alpha was ugly and I proudly called him 's**t-face'. He is among the most attractive men I have seen since moving to Xenyre. He is just different, handsome in a way that makes him feel like a warm, comforting blanket.

His thumb stroked over my knuckles in that soothing motion I’ve gotten accustomed to, and I watched the moment his gaze settled on my lips. I tilt my head up before I can overthink it, my heart picking up as I see the subtle hunger in his eyes. But also the way they soften and darken all at once, the way his gaze travels between my eyes and all over my face and then settles on my lips.

And then it lingers in that silent question. Asking for permission because he always does. He never assumes what I want, never thinks for me, never tries to take anything unless I’m giving it…

Even now, three years since we started dating, three years since our first date, and he still seeks my permission.

Something in my chest tightened, warm and overwhelming all at once, as I stood on my toes, closing the space between us and pressing my lips to his.

Eystein made a soft sound as our lips brushed gently, like we were both testing the surface for something deeper. As if we were standing at the edge of a vast ocean, deciding to take a slow step in.

His breath caught against my mouth as I tentatively pressed closer, and I could feel him shiver against me. That tiny reaction of his—God, it never fails to affect me. Knowing how much he craves every inch of me but how hard he fights his self-control, holding back, and choosing to go at whatever pace I want.

His hands tightened around my waist, pulling me closer—yet there was still that tiny, barely there space between us. Close enough for me to feel the warmth of him, the steady strength of his body, the way he trembles as he holds himself back.

I am the one who deepens the kiss, firmer than the last, and Eystein follows my lead. My finger curled into the fabric of his shirt, gripping without thinking, and he responded immediately—his hold tightening.

His lips began to move against mine with a familiarity that made my chest ache, as if he knew every shift, every hesitation, every hidden want I don’t say out loud. I tilted my head, and he followed. I pressed closer to him, and he met me there, his need mirroring mine.

A soft sound escaped him—barely a hum—but I felt it more than I heard it. It vibrated through me, settling somewhere low and warm. My breath stuttered, and I pulled closer to him without meaning to, but my body had a mind of its own, my hands sliding from Eystein's chest to his shoulders.

His fingers pressed into my waist, sliding up and down, then dipping into my blouse, his warm palm against my skin.

We kissed more, breathing each other in. His tongue over mine, inside my mouth, my bottom lip caught between his lips as he sucked on them. His want for me vibrated through every low hum of satisfaction that spilt out of him. His palm remained pressed against my bare skin, not moving across that invisible line we both knew existed.

A heat pulled in my lower abdomen, and instinct threatened to take over my rationality.

I wanted him—more than I allowed myself to crave—more than I allowed myself to admit. I wanted more of him, to take things further, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t, not yet.

Eystein was first to break the kiss, but he didn't pull away completely. His forehead rests against mine, his warm breath against my lips, our eyes on each other, and our breathing uneven in a way that makes my pulse spike with that need again.

“Nani…” My chest tightened as my name fell from his lips like something fragile, something worth cherishing, but I didn’t miss the underlying question in that whisper.

It was a need that mirrored mine. He wanted what I wanted, but it was also a warning that if I didn’t want more, I needed to hold back. He didn’t need to say those exact words for me to understand him. I could feel it in the way his hand shifts against my waist, the way he’s trying to pull me closer but stops himself. In the way his breath lingers, like he’s caught between wanting more and refusing to take it because he needed me to decide what I wanted.

But I wasn’t ready for that next step.

My fingers loosened in his shirt, sliding upward, smoothing over his shoulders instead. I pulled back slightly, and that was all the answer he needed from me.

His eyes searched mine for a second. He nodded, then kissed my nose gently. It seemed like a small gesture, but it was everything to me. His acceptance, patience and love were things I never thought I’d experience. The tightness in my chest softened, replaced by something steadier, and I sighed.

“I’m always here,” he whispered, placing another gentle kiss on my temple. These shared moments, albeit small, are all I have to give, and for some reason, it’s enough for him; it has always been enough for him.