Chapter 193: 193

Belle's POV

Zane's lips on mine felt like a spark igniting something deep within me-something I hadn't known I was missing until this very moment. The world seemed to blur, leaving just the two of us, wrapped in each other's warmth and longing. His kiss was tender yet urgent, his hands gripping me as though he was afraid I might vanish again.

Without breaking the kiss, Zane lifted me effortlessly, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around him, holding him as tightly as I could. My fingers tangled in his hair as his mouth moved against mine, sending waves of warmth coursing through me. Every inch of my body hummed with a desire I had tried so hard to suppress, but now it was impossible. This was real. He was real.

I felt the soft fabric of my nightwear hike up beath the robe I wore over it as he carried me, his strong arms supporting my weight as if I weighed nothing at all. My heart raced, not out of fear, but anticipation. The door to his room was already ajar, and he nudged it open with his foot, still kissing me as we crossed the threshold.

The moment he set me down, I felt the cool air of the room mix with the heat radiating between us. My feet barely touched the floor before he was kissing me again, his lips moving from my mouth to my neck, trailing kisses that sent shivers down my spine. I leaned into him, my hands on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my fingertips.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with emotion, searching mine for any hesitation. "Are you sure?" he whispered, his voice husky, breath warm against my skin.

I nodded, unable to form words, but he saw the answer in my gaze. I wanted this. I wanted him. I was not drunk this time, I wanted to feel him for me and relish in the moment.

Zane smiled-a small, almost vulnerable smile-and it took my breath away. "I've waited so long for you," he murmured, his forehead resting against mine for a brief moment. "I didn't know what this feeling was, but now I do."

His words touched me deeply, and I felt a lump form in my throat. How had I been so blind to this? To him? He'd flown across the world for me, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. And now, here we were, finally facing what we'd both been running from.

I reached up to cup his face, tracing the outline of his strong jaw with my thumb. "I've waited for you too," I whispered. "Even when I didn't know it."

His lips found mine again, softer this time, more deliberate. The kiss was no longer filled with urgency, but with something far deeper-a connection that words could never truly capture. My hands slipped from his face to his shoulders, feeling the taut muscles beneath his shirt.

Zane's hands untied the rope and let it fall, while his fingers grazed the hem of my silk nightgown, lifting it slowly as his lips traveled down my neck. Every touch, every breath he took against my skin made me ache for him in ways I couldn't explain. His hands were everywhere, gentle yet commanding, guiding me, making me feel as though I was the only thing that mattered in the entire universe.

I let out a soft moan as his hands found their way to the thin fabric that separated my wetness from him. Slowly, almost reverently, he pulled down the soft fabric and threw it across the bed. He pulled back just enough to slip the nightwear from my shoulders, causing it to form a little heap at my feet.

Standing before him, exposed, I felt vulnerable but safe. His eyes roamed over me, full of admiration, as if I was the most precious thing he had ever laid eyes on.

"You're beautiful," he breathed, his voice low and full of awe.

I blushed under his gaze, biting my lip as I reached for the buttons on his shirt. My fingers fumbled with them, the tremble in my hands betraying my excitement. Zane chuckled softly, his breath warm against my cheek as he helped me, his hands guiding mine.

Once his shirt was off, I traced my hands over the hard planes of his chest, marveling at how perfect he was. Every scar, every muscle, every line told a story, and I wanted to know them all. I wanted to know him.

He kissed me again, and this time it was deeper, more intense. His hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer, until there was no space left between us. I could feel the heat of his skin against mine, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

"Belle," he whispered against my lips, "I love you."

The words hit me like a tidal wave, washing over every doubt, every fear. I felt my heart swell, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "I love you too," I whispered back, my voice breaking with emotion. "I've always loved you."

Zane kissed away my tears, his lips soft and gentle. "Then let me show you," he said, his voice full of love and promise.

He lifted me again, carrying me to the bed as though I weighed nothing at all. The softness of the sheets welcomed me as he laid me down, his body following mine. Every touch, every kiss was deliberate, slow, as if he was savoring every moment, memorizing every inch of me.

I felt like I was floating, like time had stopped and nothing else mattered but the two of us. His hands roamed my body, tracing the curves of my hips, the line of my spine, setting every nerve ending on fire. I arched into him, my breath coming in short gasps, overwhelmed by how right it all felt.

He helped himself out of the trousers he had on and positioned himself on top of me. I could not imagine how wet I was already without him doing much. He kissed me again while his hands roamed down to the heat between my legs. I gladly welcomed him in with my legs wide open.

"Oh Zee..." I moaned as his hands worked his way in me, while his tongue and lips had already fallen to my breast.

I could feel my orgasm building as he increased the pace of his fingers and when I felt I could not hold it in, I came and my juices poured out in full. "That's my baby," Zane smiled.

I smiled and threw my head backwards, trying to recover from the thrilling sensation that raked through my body. But then again, I knew that was not going to happen anytime soon.

"My turn." I smiled and rolled on top of him.