Chapter 64
1649 Words
✨Six in the Morning✨
Elena Vale.
The city was still half asleep when they left the penthouse.
Six in the morning.
The sky stretched in soft shades of gray, the kind that came just before sunrise decided to make itself known. The air was cooler than usual, brushing lightly against Elena’s skin as she stepped outside beside Ari.
Everything felt quieter at this hour.
Slower.
Like the world hadn’t fully caught up yet.
Mathew was already waiting.
Of course he was.
The car idled at the curb, polished and still, like part of the routine Ari never had to think about. Mathew stepped out the moment he saw them, opening the back door with practiced ease.
Ari didn’t rush her.
His hand rested at the small of Elena’s back as she slid into the car, steadying her without thinking. It had become natural—touching her like this. Guiding her. Keeping her close.
He followed in right after.
The door shut with a quiet thud, sealing them inside.
And just like that, it was only them again.
The car pulled away smoothly, merging into the nearly empty streets.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
But the silence wasn’t distant.
It was full.
Elena turned her head slightly, watching the city through the tinted window. A bakery on the corner flickered to life, warm yellow light spilling onto the sidewalk. A man jogged past, breath visible in the cool air. A delivery truck rolled slowly through an intersection.
Everything felt… normal.
But inside the car—
Nothing felt normal.
Not with Ari sitting this close.
Not with the way his presence seemed to fill the space without effort.
She felt him before she saw him move.
His hand slid over hers.
Not sudden.
Not demanding.
Just there.
His fingers laced with hers slowly, his thumb brushing once across her knuckles like he was reminding himself she was real.
Elena glanced down at their hands for a second… then back up.
“You’re very quiet,” she said softly.
Ari didn’t look out the window.
He was already looking at her.
“You’re leaving.”
She exhaled lightly, turning her body just a little toward him.
“I’m going to work.”
“That’s still leaving.”
There was no accusation in his tone.
Just truth.
Elena smiled faintly.
“You’re dramatic this early in the morning.”
He didn’t argue.
Instead, he shifted closer.
The back seat was spacious, but it didn’t matter. His arm moved along the back of the seat behind her, his body angling toward her like distance wasn’t something he accepted anymore.
And Elena…
She didn’t move away.
Not even a little.
She leaned into him instead, her shoulder brushing his chest, her fingers tightening slightly around his.
Mathew remained focused on the road.
Unbothered.
Uninterested.
Used to it.
Elena lowered her voice.
“They don’t have analysts in Carolina for this case,” she explained. “Not ones who understand the financial structure we’ve been tracking.”
Ari listened.
Not just hearing her—listening.
Watching her.
The way her voice steadied when she spoke about work. The quiet confidence that settled into her posture. The focus.
It did something to him.
“You’re going to miss me,” she added, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
His brow lifted slightly.
She turned her head fully now, studying him.
“Well?”
He didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
The answer was simple.
Certain.
It settled into her chest in a way she wasn’t prepared for.
Warm.
Real.
Elena looked down, adjusting the sleeve of her jacket just to give herself a second.
“You could have lied,” she murmured.
“I don’t lie about things like that.”
She looked back at him.
“And you?” he asked.
She hesitated.
Just for a second.
“…a little.”
His lips curved faintly.
“Only a little?”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Don’t push it.” She said like they hadn't said it last night.
Ari chuckled softly—but his attention never left her.
“You get interesting when you talk about work,” he said.
She frowned slightly.
“Interesting?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not an explanation.”
He leaned closer.
Close enough that she could feel his breath.
“Confident,” he said quietly. “Focused.”
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes.
“Sexy.”
Elena blinked.
Her cheeks warmed instantly.
“Ari—”
“You do.”
The way he said it—calm, sure—left no room for dismissal.
She turned toward the window quickly, but it didn’t help. She could still feel him.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m observant.”
His hand moved from hers to her waist, pulling her gently closer.
Elena let him.
Like it was second nature now.
Like resisting wasn’t even an option anymore.
His mouth found hers.
The kiss wasn’t rushed.
It wasn’t soft either.
It was something in between—slow, deep, intentional.
Like he was trying to make up for the hours they were about to lose.
Elena leaned into him immediately, her hands rising to his collar, gripping lightly as she kissed him back. Her fingers slid into his hair without thinking, holding him closer.
Ari’s hand moved along her side, then down her thigh where it rested against the seat.
He didn’t rush it.
Just stayed there.
Warm.
Steady.
Present.
She felt it.
Felt him.
And her breath shifted slightly.
They had gotten used to this.
Somewhere along the way, touching him—being touched by him—had stopped feeling new and started feeling necessary.
His thumb moved slowly along her leg as he kissed her again, deeper this time.
Elena exhaled softly against his mouth.
Her body leaned into his without hesitation, her thoughts slipping in directions she hadn’t allowed before.
With him… everything felt different.
Closer.
More intense.
Her fingers tightened in his hair, keeping him there just a second longer.
Ari pulled back slowly.
Not far.
Just enough to look at her.
Her lips were slightly parted.
Her cheeks flushed.
He brushed his thumb along her jaw.
“You’re thinking again.”
She let out a quiet, breathless laugh.
“You’re distracting.”
“That’s the point.”
She shook her head, but this time she didn’t look away.
Instead, she rested against him fully, her head leaning into his shoulder, her hand still tangled with his.
And he didn’t let go.
Not once.
The car slowed as they approached the airport.
Reality.
It was coming too fast.
Ari’s hand tightened slightly at her waist.
Elena felt it.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
When the car finally came to a stop, the silence returned—but it wasn’t the same as before.
This one was heavier.
Final.
Mathew stepped out, opening the door.
But Ari didn’t move immediately.
Neither did Elena.
She turned to him slowly.
“I’ll call you when I land.”
“You better.”
A small smile touched her lips.
“I will.”
He studied her face for a second longer—like he was committing it to memory.
Then he pulled her closer.
This kiss—
was different.
Deeper.
Slower.
Lingering.
It wasn’t rushed by time.
It fought against it.
Elena melted into him, her hands holding onto him like letting go would make the moment real.
His hand cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek as he kissed her again… and again… softer this time.
Reluctant.
When they finally pulled apart, neither of them moved far.
“Go,” he murmured, his forehead resting against hers. “Before I change my mind.”
She smiled softly.
“You won’t.”
“No,” he said quietly. “But I’ll want to.”
That made her pause.
Just for a second longer.
Then she leaned in and kissed him one last time.
Gentle.
But full.
“See you soon,” she whispered.
And then she stepped out of the car.
The airport was loud.
Announcements echoing through the terminal.
People rushing past with luggage and coffee cups.
Ari walked beside her, one hand resting casually in the pocket of his coat while the other carried her suitcase.
Elena checked the departure board.
“Gate B17.”
They walked there together.
The quiet between them felt different now.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… heavier.
At the gate she turned toward him.
“You should go.”
Ari didn’t move.
“Boarding hasn’t started yet.”
“I know.”
People passed between them as they stood there.
Elena reached for the handle of her suitcase.
Ari didn’t let go immediately.
Instead he looked down at her.
“You’ll call when you land.”
“Yes.”
“And if you need anything—”
“I’ll tell you.”
He nodded.
Then he pulled her closer.
Not dramatic.
Just firm.
His hand slid to the back of her neck and he kissed her.
Slow.
Unhurried.
Like he didn’t care that they were standing in the middle of an airport terminal.
When he finally stepped back, Elena exhaled quietly.
"We're in public," she said.
"And," he said.
“Now you can go,” she said.
Ari studied her for another moment.
Then he handed her the suitcase.
And walked away.
Elena watched him until he disappeared into the crowd.
---
The plane lifted through the clouds.
Elena leaned back in her seat and opened her phone.
A message was already waiting.
Ari:
Did you take off yet?
She smiled faintly.
Elena:
Just did.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Ari:
Text me when you land.
She rested her head against the seat.
Elena:
You’re very persistent.
Ari:
You noticed.
She laughed quietly under her breath.
She was going to miss him.
- Writer
