All of me

 Zander's lips left mine only to blaze a trail down my jaw and neck, the cool night air contrasting with the heat of his mouth. My breath hitched, a soft sound escaping my lips as his teeth grazed the sensitive spot just below my ear.

"You drive me crazy," he murmured against my skin, his voice a mixture of need and frustration, as though even he couldn't fully comprehend the hold I had over him. His words, low and possessive, sent another wave of heat coursing through me.

"I could say the same," I whispered back, my fingers curling tighter in his hair. The admission felt like a surrender, one I didn't want to analyze too deeply.

Zander's grip on me tightened as he carried me effortlessly back into the hotel suite, the city lights fading behind us. The door swung shut with a soft click, cocooning us in the quiet intimacy of the room. He didn't stop moving, his focus entirely on me, as if the rest of the world had ceased to exist.

He set me down on the plush sofa, his hands never leaving my body. His touch was everywhere—claiming, demanding, and yet reverent in a way that left me breathless. His thumb brushed over my cheek, his gaze searching mine as though looking for permission, for reassurance.

"You're beautiful," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "And I'm not sure I'll ever be able to let you go now."

My heart twisted at his words, a bittersweet ache that I couldn't quite place. There was something disarming about his honesty, about the raw vulnerability in his expression. For all his strength, Zander wasn't afraid to lay himself bare before me, and that thought sent a surge of emotion crashing over me.

"You don't have to," I said softly, my voice steady despite the racing of my heart.

That was all the encouragement he needed. His lips found mine again, hungrier this time, the kiss deepening until I was lost in him. His hands slid under my shirt, the warmth of his palms against my skin sending shivers down my spine.

"You're trembling," he said, his tone teasing but gentle as his hands stilled for a moment. "Am I making you nervous?"

"Not nervous," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just... overwhelmed."

His lips quirked into a small smile, his thumb brushing over my hip in a soothing gesture. "Good. I like knowing I have that effect on you."

There was a playful arrogance in his words, but the tenderness in his touch told a different story. Zander wasn't just trying to claim me—he was trying to take care of me, to show me that I was safe with him.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe it.

He kissed me again, slower this time, as though savoring every moment. His hands roamed my body with deliberate care, each touch a silent promise of devotion. The tension between us crackled like a live wire, the air thick with desire and unspoken emotions.

Zander pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his forehead resting against mine. "I don't want this to be just a moment," he said, his voice steady but laced with a vulnerability that took my breath away. "Tell me you want this too. Tell me you want me."

The weight of his words settled over me, heavy but not suffocating. I could feel the sincerity in his gaze, the way he was laying everything on the line for me. And in that moment, I realized I did want him—not just for now, but in every way that mattered.

"I want you, Zander," I said, my voice unwavering as I cupped his face in my hands. "All of you."

"You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured, his voice low and full of want.

The words sent a spark of electricity through me, my heart pounding in response. "You're not exactly subtle yourself," I whispered, unable to keep the tremor from my voice.

Zander chuckled, the sound rich and deep, vibrating against my skin. "Good," he said, his hands sliding down to my waist, pulling me flush against him. "I'm not trying to be subtle."

His lips were on mine again, more insistent this time. The kiss was consuming, dizzying, as if Zander was determined to leave no part of me untouched by his fire. I melted into him, my fingers tangling in his hair as his hands roamed with purpose.

The intensity of the moment was all-encompassing—until a loud growl broke through the silence.

We both froze.

It took a moment to register that the sound had come from me. My stomach growled again, louder this time