Chapter 91: Peaceful morning
The light filters through the curtains, blinding me for a moment. My eyes adjust, and the soft, rhythmic snores beside me draw my attention. I turn my head and find Noelle, a satisfied smile plastered on his face, looking utterly peaceful as he sleeps. I can’t help but chuckle softly—if anyone saw him now, they’d never believe this was the same man who had me bound and begging just hours ago.
I feel worn out, in the best possible way, my muscles aching with that deep satisfaction that comes from a night well spent. As I swing my legs over the edge of the bed to stand, my body protests, my legs wobbly beneath me. The memory of last night hits me all at once, making me smile. I can barely walk straight. My body’s a testament to the night’s activities.
With a yawn, I stumble towards the bath, my mind still foggy with remnants of sleep and bliss. On the way, I bump into something solid, glancing down to see the chair. That chair. The one that held me captive under Noelle’s teasing. My body stirs with the memory, heat rising to my face, but I shake my head. No more. I physically can’t take it, not now. Not yet.
I bend down, gathering up our scattered robes and discarded clothes, my wrists stinging as I do. A dull burn lingers where the ropes had been tied, the raw marks a reminder of just how tightly I’d been bound. Rope burn. I rub the sensitive skin gently, wincing. It’ll heal in a few days, but until then, I’ll be reminded of last night every time I flex my wrists. A love-hate relationship, that burn—something that will fade physically, but not from my memory.
As I head toward the bath, I catch my reflection in the mirror. The marks on my neck and chest are glaringly obvious. Dark bruises and bite marks litter my skin, standing out against the pale complexion. I resist the urge to whistle. He’s really done a number on me. It’s as if I spent the night fighting an army of mosquitoes—giant ones at that.
Chuckling to myself, I slip into the bath and sink into the warm water, letting it soothe the aches in my body. A sigh escapes me as I lean back, closing my eyes. This is my life now. And damn, am I happy with it.
After a long soak, I dry off and decide to have breakfast delivered to the room. I don’t have the heart to wake Noelle just yet. Instead, I carry the tray of food quietly over to the bed, where my sleeping beauty still lies, completely oblivious to the world. The morning sun has crept further into the room, casting a soft glow on his face. His lips are parted slightly, and—gods above—he’s drooling just a little. It’s endearing, in a way I never expected to feel.
I pause for a moment, watching him sleep, a warmth filling my chest that’s different from the passion of the night before. This—this—is something I never thought I’d have. A peaceful morning, shared with someone who sees me, who’s willing to stand beside me, and who, despite all the darkness in my past, has somehow become my light.