Moonlight Betrayal

Chapter 75

Kaeleen’s POV

The moment the door to her room clicked shut, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The hallway felt quiet and empty without her.

Ryker was quiet, too, a low purr of contentment replacing his earlier grumbling. We had a long road ahead of us, but for the first time, the path didn’t seem impossibly steep. It felt like we had finally found the starting line. Amen to that.

I didn’t waste a second. I practically raced to my own bedroom, my mind buzzing with a nervous, happy energy. If this night went well then I was going back to rub it in Alex’s face.

The shower was the fastest I’d ever taken...debatable. The hot water watched over my skin, washing away the dirt of the day and with it.

The way her face had lit up when she teased me, the vulnerable strength in her eyes when she asked me to wait, the soft weight of her in my arms during that brief, chaste hug.

I threw on a pair of comfortable grey sweatpants and a soft black t-shirt, forgoing anything more formal. This wasn’t about impressing her; it was about being comfortable with her. It was about building a space where she could finally let her guard down completely.

As I made my way downstairs, the house felt different. It was no longer a vast, empty space but a home that held the promise of shared laughter and quiet moments. I slowed my pace as I approached the home theater, not wanting to break the fragile peace we had just established. The heavy, soundproof door was slightly ajar, a sliver of soft, warm light spilling into the darker hallway.

I peered through the gap, my heart giving a soft thud.

The theater was one of my favorite rooms in the house, a sanctuary of comfort and escape. The walls were covered in deep navy-blue acoustic panels, and the floor was layered with a plush charcoal carpet that swallowed every sound. Instead of traditional rows of seats, there were about five oversized, deep-cushioned recliners made of the softest black leather, each one big enough for two people to curl up in. On the far wall, the screen was a vast, dark expanse, currently dormant. The only light came from the soft, golden glow of the sconces lining the walls, creating an intimate, cozy atmosphere.