Warning: Chapter may contain mild sexual content/themes. Read at your own risk.

❝ He is fire. She is ice

Once glimpse of him ignites her stone cold eyes

The heat of his body melts the frozen part of her heart

She walks through flames just to feel his warmth❞

Last night I was at my lowest of low, the pain in my chest never felt so heavy, that peace and comfort felt like a possession, I was not allowed to own. I could swear, I almost feel myself slipping away through my own fingers, I swear, I thought, that was the end of me.

But, now as I laid there on his bed with him still sleeping beside, his tight hold on me made me thankful, that it wasn't.

He was sleeping soundlessly, away from all the worries and carefree from the world, that I couldn't help, but, admire and wish that the time would stop, even for few stretched minutes.

His face was mere inches away from me, a serene and blissful expression adorning his features. Without thinking, I raised my hand and touched his face gently, as if to make sure he was real, this was real.

A lump formed in my throat as I caressed his cheeks with my fingertips, where tears were imprinted last night.

I love his jaw, I thought tracing the his sharp jaw line, feeling the light stubble tickling my skin and those soft pink lips, I loved them too. The deep bow in the middle of his upper lip, made me want to write poems on his beauty. How words so effortlessly slipped through his mouth.

His voice was like thrashing waves of an ocean, ravishing yet so soothing. I loved it too.

His eyes were the most precious jewel in the world, the way they looked at me, as if, there was something in me worth looking at. I always see, the best version of myself in his eyes.

He is easily the most beautiful man, I've ever seen. Especially, when you look at him with this much closure and you could notice everything he is, that can be missed from just one glance.

I pushed his hair back, which was falling off in front of his forehead, letting my fingers tangle in the silky strands a little longer as I stared at him.

"I love you" The confession was nothing above a strangled half-whisper.

The movement of my fingers froze and my breathe hitched, when I felt him stir. And, then ever so slowly, he opened his eyes, as if testing my patience and the breathe, I had been holding on, moved past my lips in relief.

The daze and adoration filled eyes, made me wonder, how was I able to resist him for so long?

A small bubbly laugh escaped me, when he grabbed by waist and crushed me against his hard body, placing his face in the warm crook of my neck and let out, throatily "I already know that. I am too adorable"

His voice sent a shiver down my spine as I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arms around his neck and finger-combed his hair, massaging the scalp lightly with my fingertips.

He hummed against my skin and pressed a rough kiss on my pulse, before saying "Feels good, don't stop"

My eyes caught the shinning digits of his clock and I abruptly stopped, "Shit!"

Pushing him away, I quickly sat up anxiously, muttering "Missed my fucking class again. We need to hurry, come on, get up"

I was about to get out of the bed, when Ethan grabbed my arm and pulled me back to his embrace.

"We are skipping today, if that's not obvious"

Ready to protest, I looked up at him, but, he stopped me "No buts or excuses, I already texted Maria last night. She was more than happy to have you stay the night with me and wants you to spill whatever the beans, that needs spilling, the next time you see her"

I rolled my eyes, laying on top of his chest and huffed "Sure"

I traced his sculpted abs, unknowingly listening to his heart beating beneath my ear, a harmonious song without any word needing. Our legs were tangled and bodies squished together in one, his hand placed on my hip, squeezing it, whenever I moved a little.

Resting my chin on top of his chest, I peeped at him, "Your skin is hot"

He lifted his head up and kissed my forehead, before falling back on his pillow. "You are pretty hot yourself too" He said, tucking away the strands of my hair.

Of course, in that beautifully peaceful moment, my stomach decided to make a rumbling noise, reminding me, I haven't had dinner last night.

Ethan chuckled and asked "Hungry?"

Sheepishly, I admitted with a smile "Starving"

"Why don't you shower and get all freshen up, meanwhile I prepare breakfast for us?"

Raising my eyebrow, I sat up to take a proper look at him "You would do that?"

"Anything for you"

A warm fuzzy feeling tickled me inside as I began to get up, freeing myself from his death grip and murmured "Alright"

gripping my body, he tried to pull me back on him, demanding, "But first, where's my good morning kiss?"

Swatting him away, I rolled over to the other side and stuck my tongue out at him, before getting out of the bed. Finally.

"Nuh uh buddy, you ain't getting any. Brush your teeth first and I might consider it" I told him.

"You are no a fun" A pout on his lips, for sure.

Leaving him there, I went straight to the bathroom, fixing my hair and let out the words over my shoulder, "That's what they always say"

Locking the door, I washed my face and brushed my teeth, after Ethan shouted from the other side of door, about having a spare toothbrush in the drawer. Later stripping, I jumped into the shower and let the cool water help me calm down.

For a moment, my heart began to get anxious that how easily, I let those words slip out of my mouth, but, I didn't regret it. My mind also tried to trick me into thinking, how he didn't say it back, but, I didn't care about that either.

Even if he didn't say it back, it's alright. He didn't need to confess anything, because his actions always did. Sometimes, action speaks louder than volume of words.

With that satisfying thought, I took the bar of soap and got busy smearing it on my body, basking in the source of his alluring earthy and masculine smell.

It's crazy how new and fresh you feel, after a long well needed shower, especially if that shower is followed by a stressful night.

After making sure that Ethan was not in the room, I walked out of the bathroom, wrapped in a gray plush towel and went through his closet, in hope to find something decent and wear-able for me.

I changed into a soft cotton shirt, which looked worn out after being used for so long and Ethan's boxers. Let's just pretend, I didn't blush, while wearing it.

All set and dressed, I tied my damp hair into a loose bun, not bothering to brush them and strolled towards the kitchen.

I have no idea, what I was expecting, when I entered the kitchen, but, it sure as hell was not, what I was greeted with. Ethan was passing back and forth around and laid there on the platform was a big mess of... well everything.

It's like he took out every single item from the fridge and tossed them on the countertop, thinking the breakfast will make itself.

When he saw me standing at the doorway with, what I assume, an amused expression, he cursed under his breathe.

Raking his eyes over me from head to toe, with a dark look, he stalked towards me, like a lion to his prey and wrapped an arm around my waist, pressing my body against his.

"I want you to have all of my clothes. They look so good on you" His whispered hotly, nuzzling his nose to my cheek and kissed the corner of my mouth, lingering there longer than necessary.

Then he pulled away and sighed, "There's a slight change in plan, babe. Since, I cannot cook to save my ass or yours for the matter, how about I take you out for a delicious breakfast?"

I let out a chuckle, looping my arms around his neck and offered, "How about you take a shower and I prepare some breakfast? Unlike you, I can cook to save both of our asses"

Surprised, he blinked down at me and then, a huge beaming smile pulled up on his face. I think, that smile broke me a little inside. It should be a crime to have this much power over someone.

"Oh my god, Snow. You are a miracle worker, has anybody told you that? " He gushed.

Rolling my eyes, playfully, I unhooked my arms and let him go.

"You are the first one. Now, go shower, meanwhile, I'll try to make some sense of the mess over there" I looked at the pile of fruits, milk, cereals, bread, cheese and .. wait is that fish?

I burst into a laughter, turning to look at Ethan and said, "What were you trying to make anyway?"

Balancing his weight on one foot and the other, he rubbed the back of neck and mumbled, "Honestly? I have no idea. The only thing I can make someone is a fool."

"Why am I not surprised? Well, leave this work to the pro and see the magic later"

Nodding, he went to take a shower, but not before, planting a big chaste kiss on my cheek.

Busy in my own world of thoughts, I took the eggs and sugar, flour and other necessities for the recipe and put the other useless things back to their place.

Humming to myself a melody of a song, I couldn't remember, I began cracking eggs in a glass bowl and started to make breakfast.

I was so caught up in my own universe, stirring, flipping and cooking, I didn't even bother to check the time. So, obviously, when I was almost done and turned around, after turning the stove off, I let out a startled yelp, seeing Ethan standing on the doorway.

His chest was heaving, he was breathing hard as if he just ran a marathon, face as pale as as if he seen a ghost. There was still shampoo on his hair and specks of soap and bubbles covered his chest and abs, water trickling down his body. The towel wrapped around his waist was so badly and hurriedly tied, that I was surprised, it didn't fall off.

Looks like, he just came out of the shower.... unfinished.

"What happed?" I quirked up a brow in question.

"I didn't say it back. I just realized, I didn't tell you that I love you, how messed up is that? I should have said it the second, you admitted. And now you must be thinking about the whole 'I don't believe in love' bullshit, I fed you, once. But, I do, I love you and I suck at this. I still can't believe that I forgot something like this and I don't want yo-"

I couldn't help, but chuckle as I interrupted his rambling, "It's alright. You don't have to say anything, I know"

It's like a new light of hope and relief filled his eyes, when he stared at me, wide eyes "You do?"

"Of course, I do and trust me, you don't suck at this" I assured him.

"Thank god for small mercies! Thank god"

I eyed the water droplets dripping down his legs and falling on the floor, creating unknown patterns and said, "Well, you can thank god later. First go back and clean yourself up, then the water pools you've dragged behind you"

"You know, you should consider yourself lucky that you are cute, when bossy" With that, he once again disappeared from the kitchen.

I was finally finished, so, I decided to look around his apartment, until he gets back.

From his living area to his small laundry room, I explored every single part of his place. The decoration and furnishing, practically screamed that a 'guy' lived there. The whole apartment was neat and tidy, everything was really well thought out.

After checking out the spare bedroom, which was pretty empty, except a few random pictures and light colored wallpaper, I went to investigate his study. It was small, but, lovely nonetheless.

The little old vintage wood made it very aesthetically pleasing. The book shelfs were filled with numerous of books, sci-fi, action, mysteries, classics, romance and sonnets, you name it.

My fingers reached for an unfamiliar book, the torn and worn cover inviting me in, when I hear a voice, sneaking up to me from behind.

"Snooping, huh?" His breathe clashed against my neck, causing the hair to rise up.

Slowly, I turned around to meet his eyes with a nervousness in my own and gulped at the proximity between us.

I just gave him a impish smile as he asked "Found something interesting?"

"Not really. I was looking for something, I could blackmail you with, y'know? Embarrassing photos or weird kinks? I must say, I was disappointed, when I found none"

He laughed throwing an arm around my shoulder and dragged me back towards the kitchen. Leaning against his body, I let him handle some of my weight and stole the warmth of his skin, seeping through the thin fiber of his shirt.

"So, what do we have?" He asked impatiently, pulling out a chair.

"Waffles, Eggs and beacon. That good?" I answered, setting the table.

"Almost as good as you"

Chuckling at his cheesy comment, I poured him a cup of freshly made tea and took a seat. He didn't even wait for me and started devouring like a hungry caveman, only stopping in between to tell me, how good of a cook I was and how he wouldn't mind kissing my mere hands for the rest of his life.

But, I couldn't eat, how could I? He was sitting there, in front of me, doing the most simplest of thing, eating and yet I could swear, I had never seen something more beautiful than that. He was just so easily... lovable. Like an exciting infant on Christmas, like a butterfly newly learned to fly, like a rose under the moonlight, like a loud happy laugher after a good cry.

I tried my best to pretend to eat as he stopped midway, noticing my lack of participation and threw me a pointed look.

That was the most peaceful moment of my life, a picture of contentment. That words couldn't even describe it, only silence. The coy secretive conversation between our gazes, was the only contact keeping us tied together.

After we finished breakfast, Ethan cleaned the table as I filled the sink with dishes.

"Don't bother. I'll do them later" He commanded, stalking towards me and engulfed me in his embrace.

clutching my waist, he tucked me to his front and rested his chin on my shoulder, murmuring "Now that we are all done. Let's watch a movie, what say?"

My breathes became irregular as he licked my pounding pulse, giving away my racing heart, before he bit it, gently.

"A movie?" My voice came out heady and I craned my neck, allowing him a better access.

He nibbed on my heated skin, licking, biting, taking whatever he wanted and grunted in satisfaction, when a moan escaped my throat.

"Yeah, unless you have a better plan?" His voice was a deep dark lullaby. Laced with the sin of seduction.

He knew exactly what he was doing, the effect he was having on me. His hand began to slide up, underneath my T-shirt as he took my earlobe in his mouth and bit it, then slowly kissing it better.

His kisses became more fervent, moving from my earlobe to my neck, then gliding down to my collarbone and settling there with plans on his mind. Pushing the annoying T aside, he continued showering me with his greedy and hungry kisses.

There were miracles in his kisses, an undying affection, that was medicine to my veins. Or an addiction, I wanted to cave in.

His fingers skimmed my belly as I sucked in a breathe, those calloused fingertips memorizing the texture of my skin and when his hand started moving up, suddenly, I was floating on a cloud of neediness.

"Ethan.." Breathless, I called out his name.

His palm clamped over my naked breast and squeezed it. It was anything, but light. My head fell back on his shoulder, at this point, his body was carrying most of my weight.

I mewled against him as he rubbed his thumb over the pebbled tip of my breast. He crushed it in his fingers, pinching it and let out a deep rich groan. The groan that sounded like a devil's prayer.

Unexpectedly, his movements halted and I furrowed my eyebrows in disappointment, but, he made up for it, by turning me around to face him and slammed his lips on mine.

I gasped in surprise, before recovering from his attack and kissed him back with as much power as him. Our lips were caught in a war of desire and I was not sure, if they were in a same alliance or battling against each other.

When our tongues met halfway, I shivered at the contact, he sucked on it and an another moan erupted through me. I wanted to consume him, but, at the same time, I wanted to be consumed by him.

I didn't even realize, how or when the wooden floor beneath me went missing. One moment, I was kissing him, rejoicing in his scent and the second, I was hoisted up as Ethan put me down on the kitchen platform.

He whispered my name against my lips like a prayer, like a song, like a tale of the unknown. A sonnet for a lover. Before, he dived down and caught my bottom lip in between his teeth, gnawing.

His fingers toyed with the waistband of the boxers I was wearing, his boxers and something told me, he loved that fact just as much as me.

Escaping past the band, he slipped his hand inside, gingerly, testing the waters. He looked at me with that dangerously wicked expression, I never thought I would witness as I let my head lean back, when he stroked my inner thigh.

His fingers tortured me with their slow and delicate moves, before proceeding higher and higher...

My throat dried in an anticipation and he was staring at me intently, as if he was watching the most interesting movie of his life, as if he was reading his favorite erotic book.

His knuckle brushed slightly against my heat and momentarily, I felt this weird sudden urge to say those three words out loud again. Just to be sure, he knew and could feel that I had never said those words to anyone before, never meant it like before.

So, confronting his hooded eyes, I happily accepted his ruination plan and said those words, calming both of our souls down.

"I love you.."

I am not sure, if it's the calm after the storm or.... before it.

Whoa, it's been almost a month, since I've updated and damn, feels great to sit down and write again. I just got back from a trip, yesterday and my health is not doing too well.

Sometimes, I wish, I could take care of myself just as much as I take care of my books.