Chapter 48: Sofia

I wake up to the soft rhythm of their breathing all around me. The cabin is quiet, just the faintest glow of morning light filtering through the curtains. I shift slightly, feeling the warmth of their bodies pressed close, and my face flushes as memories of last night come rushing back. I’m a little shy about it, but I can’t deny how content I feel right now—happier than I’ve been in years.

Carefully, I sit up, trying not to wake them. Nate’s arm is draped over my waist, his fingers loosely curled in the fabric of my shirt. I gently move it off, my heart fluttering as I glance down at them all—Danny lying close, his head turned toward me, Riley’s arm stretched above his head, Leo still fast asleep on the other side. They look so peaceful, so different from the tough, hardened men they show the world.

I slip out of bed, the cool air immediately hitting me as I leave the warmth of their bodies. Shivering slightly, I grab a blanket from the chair and wrap it around myself, padding softly across the wooden floor to the kitchen. The cabin is still chilly, but with the sun peeking through the windows, it feels a little less harsh.

As I approach the kitchen window, something catches my eye. I stop in my tracks—a deer, standing right at the edge of the forest. Its coat is a soft brown, blending in almost perfectly with the snow-dusted trees behind it. I take a step closer, watching it in awe. It’s so peaceful, just grazing quietly, unaware of me watching.

Suddenly, I feel hands gently resting on my waist, and I jump slightly, spinning around before realizing who it is.

“Leo,” I whisper, my voice barely audible in the stillness of the cabin.

He leans in, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder as he looks out the window with me. “What are you looking at?” he murmurs, his voice low and warm.

“Look,” I whisper back, pointing to the deer just outside. We both fall quiet, watching it move gracefully through the snow.

I can feel Leo’s breath on my neck, his hands still resting lightly on my waist, and for a moment, everything feels right. Peaceful. Like the outside world can’t touch us here.

“It’s beautiful,” I say softly.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Leo replies, his voice barely above a whisper, but the words make my heart skip. I turn my head slightly, meeting his eyes, and for a moment, we just look at each other, the warmth of his hands grounding me.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he adds, a small smile tugging at his lips as he pulls me closer, wrapping the blanket around us both. His arms tighten slightly around my waist, and I lean back into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my back.

“I’m okay,” I say quietly, still mesmerized by the sight of the deer. "It’s nice to wake up like this."

"Yeah?" he asks softly, his lips brushing against my hair as he speaks.

I nod, smiling a little to myself. "I think it’s the nicest morning I’ve had in a long time."

We stand like that for a few more minutes, just watching the deer until it slowly moves deeper into the woods, disappearing from view. Leo’s arms are still around me, and I’m in no hurry to move. There’s something comforting about being held by him like this, in the quiet stillness of the cabin.

Eventually, I turn around in his arms, facing him. "I think the others are still asleep," I whisper.

Leo grins, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Good. Let them sleep. We’ve got some time to ourselves."

The way he’s looking at me makes my heart race a little faster. There’s a softness in his eyes, one that makes me feel both safe and nervous at the same time.

He leans down, his forehead resting against mine, and I can’t help but smile. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“For what?” he asks, tilting his head slightly, his lips dangerously close to mine.

“For...everything.” I don’t know how else to put it. I don’t know how to tell him how grateful I am for them, for this moment, for the way they’ve made me feel so safe. So cared for.

Leo smiles softly, brushing his thumb along my jawline. “You don’t have to thank me for anything, Sof.”

Before I can respond, his lips brush against mine, gentle at first, like he’s waiting to see if it’s okay. I melt into the kiss, the warmth spreading through me as I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

It’s slow, tender, and full of emotions I can’t even begin to describe.

“Leo…” I begin, but before I can get the words out, he steps closer, his hands finally resting firmly on my waist. His eyes search mine, and for a moment, we just stand there, breathing the same air, the space between us shrinking with every heartbeat.

And then, before I can think too much, his lips are on mine again.

This kiss is different from the ones before. It’s not rushed, not filled with the urgency of the moment. It’s slow, tender, and deep. His hands move up to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing lightly against my skin as his lips move against mine, soft and warm. I melt into him, my fingers curling into his shirt as I kiss him back, losing myself in the sensation of being so close to him.

Leo deepens the kiss, and I feel his fingers sliding back into my hair, tugging gently as he tilts my head to get a better angle. The world seems to fade around us, the only thing I can focus on is the way his lips feel against mine, the way his hands feel as they touch me. I feel like I’m falling, but in the best possible way, like I’m being caught in this moment, in him.

His lips move slowly, deliberately, and I can feel the warmth of his breath on my skin. He kisses me like he’s savoring every second of it, and I can’t help but lose myself in the way he makes me feel. My body presses closer to his, and for a second, nothing else exists but the two of us. His hands travel down my back, pulling me closer, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

He breaks the kiss just long enough to breathe, his forehead resting against mine, both of us catching our breath. But the distance between us doesn’t last long. Before I can fully take in the moment, he’s kissing me again, this time a little more urgently, as if he can’t get enough of me. His lips move against mine, soft but hungry, and I feel his fingers tighten on my waist, pulling me closer until there’s hardly any space between us.

Every kiss feels like it’s igniting something inside of me, something I didn’t even know was there. I feel my heart racing, my skin heating up as I respond to every touch, every gentle pull. I don’t want it to end. I want to stay in this moment, wrapped up in him, in the warmth of his kiss, forever.

Leo pulls away just slightly, his lips brushing against my cheek before trailing down to my jawline. His kisses are soft, barely there, but they send sparks through me with every touch. He pauses, his lips hovering over my neck for a moment before he presses a soft kiss there, and I can’t help but let out a small sigh. My hands find their way to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my fingers.

He pulls back slightly, his eyes searching mine again, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice husky, filled with something deep that makes my heart flutter.

I smile, feeling my cheeks flush at his words, and I lean in to kiss him again. This time, it’s slower, softer, but just as intense. His hands slide back to my waist, holding me firmly against him as our lips move together, as if we’ve done this a thousand times before. The rest of the world fades, and all I can feel is him—the warmth of his touch, the softness of his lips, the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my hand.

After what feels like forever and yet not nearly long enough, Leo pulls away, resting his forehead against mine again, his breath warm against my skin. We stay like that for a moment, both of us catching our breath, our bodies pressed together in the most intimate way. I can feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth of his skin through the thin fabric of his shirt.

“God,” Leo murmurs, his voice rough. “I could kiss you forever.”

The words send a shiver down my spine, and I smile, my heart still racing. “I wouldn’t mind that,” I whisper back.

He chuckles softly, his hands sliding up to cup my face again, his thumbs brushing gently over my cheeks. “You’re incredible, Sof.”

I smile, feeling a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the cold outside. I don’t know what I did to deserve this moment, but I’m grateful for it—for him. For all of them.

Just as I’m about to say something, the cabin suddenly hums to life—the power is back on. The lights flicker on, and I can hear the hum of the refrigerator from the kitchen. Leo pulls away with a soft laugh, resting his forehead against mine again.

“Guess we’re not going to be cold much longer,” he says, his voice teasing.

I laugh, feeling a little breathless. “Seems that way.”

Leo gives me one last lingering kiss before pulling back completely, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “How about we make some pancakes? I’m starving.”

I grin. “Deal.”