Chapter 13: Fire and Shadows

Adelani knew she shouldn't be here.

Not in Alexander's townhouse, standing in his softly lit living room, his jacket draped neatly over the armchair, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that sent heat rushing through her body.

She had told herself this wouldn't happen.

But then he had leaned in at the wine bar, his fingers tracing slow, absent-minded circles on the stem of his glass, his voice low and knowing as he murmured, you should come home with me.

And she had said yes.

Now, standing here, her heart hammering against her ribs, she felt like she had stepped into something irreversible.

Alexander crossed the room slowly, like a man giving her time to change her mind. But she didn't move. Didn't speak.

When he reached her, he raised a hand, fingers brushing her jaw, tilting her face up to his. His touch was deliberate, gentle but firm, as if he already knew she would let him.

"I've wanted this for longer than I realized," he murmured.

Her breath caught. "You're very sure of yourself."

He smiled, slow and wicked. "I usually am."

Adelani's pulse thrummed like a drumbeat beneath her skin as Alexander backed her against the wall of his dimly lit townhouse, his body a solid, burning presence against hers.

His lips hovered just above hers, teasing, testing, before he finally kissed her—slow and deep, as if savouring every second. It was the kind of kiss that made her knees weak, that pulled something deep and desperate from within her.

"You're intoxicating," he murmured against her lips, his voice rough with restraint.

She smirked. "You have no idea."

Adelani gasped as he pressed her deeply against the cool wall, his hands traced the length of her spine, his touch firm, certain. He was undoing her with the simplest of movements, with the way his fingers slipped beneath the hem of her dress, fingertips tracing the soft skin of her thighs. with the way his breath ghosted against her throat.

He kissed her like he was memorizing her, like he wanted to take his time unraveling every piece of her.

She had never been kissed like this before.

Not like a possession. Not like an obligation.

Like a discovery.

When he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward the bedroom, she let herself surrender to the moment.

The room was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the bedside lamp, the soft hum of the city outside barely registering in her mind. All she could focus on was him.

Alexander stood at the edge of the bed, his gaze raking over her as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt. The contrast of his fair skin against hers sent a shiver through her—not just from the difference, but from the way he looked at her. As if he was about to devour her.

"Take this off," he said softly, tugging at the strap of her dress.

She obeyed, letting the fabric slip from her shoulders, pooling at her feet.

His breath caught, his blue eyes darkening. "God, Adelani."

Before she could react, his hands were on her, guiding her onto the bed, his mouth following, mapping the expanse of her skin with reverence.

He kissed a slow, deliberate path from her collarbone to her breasts, his tongue flicking over her nipple before his lips closed around it. A gasp tore from her throat, her back arching into him.

He groaned, the sound vibrating against her skin. " Don't hold back Sweetheart."

Heat spread through her, mortification mixing with raw pleasure. She had never been loud before, had never felt this kind of abandon. But he wanted it—wanted her unfiltered, uninhibited.

His hands traced the curve of her waist, fingers spreading over her hips as he kissed lower, dragging his lips across the smooth skin of her stomach, his dark hair stark against her body.

"You're stunning," he murmured between kisses. "Every inch of you."

When his mouth finally reached the sensitive space between her thighs, she jerked, a sharp, breathless moan escaping her lips.

"That's it," he praised, gripping her hips to keep her still.

His tongue was slow, teasing, before he began to devour her properly.

Adelani's fingers twisted into the sheets, her moans growing louder, more desperate. She felt heat flood her cheeks—she had never sounded like this before.

"A-Alex," she gasped, trying to muffle the sounds spilling from her lips.

But he wasn't having it.

He pressed a hand to her stomach, keeping her pinned as he looked up at her. "Let me hear you, sweetheart. I want all of it."

She had no choice but to surrender, her body trembling beneath him, her cries filling the room as he took her apart.

By the time he pulled himself back up, his lips slick and his expression utterly satisfied, she was shaking.

"You're incredible," he murmured, kissing her deeply, letting her taste herself on his tongue.

Then he positioned himself between her legs, his body pressing into hers, his breath warm against her ear. "Are you ready?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "Yes."

The moment he entered her, she cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders.

Alexander groaned, burying his face against her neck. "You feel perfect."

He moved slowly at first, drawing out every sensation, watching every expression that flickered across her face. But soon, the slow burn became something more—something urgent, consuming.

He thrust deeper, his name spilling from her lips in ragged moans, her body clinging to his in a way that drove him wild.

"That's it, Adelani," he groaned, his hands gripping her hips, guiding her into every movement.

She was loud, uninhibited, completely lost in him, and he wanted it all.

When she finally shattered beneath him, her body arching, her moans raw and unrestrained, he followed with a deep, shuddering groan, collapsing against her.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Their breaths mingled; the heat of their bodies still tangled together.

Then Alexander pulled back slightly, brushing a damp curl from her face.

"You," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "are dangerous."

She let out a breathless laugh, her fingers tracing lazy patterns against his skin, she knew something had changed.

This wasn't a mistake.

This was something more.

"Tell me you're staying," he said, his voice quieter now.

She hesitated.

And then, finally, she whispered, "I'm staying."

---

The next morning, Adelani woke to the smell of coffee and the sound of quiet movement from the kitchen. She stretched, feeling the delicious soreness in her limbs, and let herself enjoy the moment before slipping out of bed.

Alexander stood at the counter, pouring coffee into two mugs, his back to her. The sight of him like this—shirtless, his hair slightly tousled, the early morning light casting a golden hue on his skin—made something warm curl in her stomach.

He turned at the sound of her footsteps, a slow smile spreading across his lips. "Morning."

"Morning," she murmured, pulling his shirt around her as she stepped closer.

Her gaze drifted lower, and that's when she saw it.

A tattoo, partially hidden by the waistband of his sweatpants, snaking up his side and curling over his ribs. It was intricate—lines and shading forming a black and grey design of a serpent coiled around a dagger, its scales inked with striking detail. The dagger's hilt was adorned with an ancient script she didn't recognize, and the entire piece carried an air of something both dangerous and deeply personal.

"You're staring," Alexander said, smirking as he took a sip of his coffee.

She raised an eyebrow. "I can see the answer to my tattoo question."

She stepped closer, tracing a fingertip lightly over the serpent's head, she let her fingers linger a second longer before pulling away.

"Interesting choice," she murmured, taking her coffee from the counter.

He handed her a mug, watching her with quiet amusement as she took a sip.

She sighed. "I should go."

His gaze darkened slightly, but he only nodded. "I won't stop you."

She hesitated. "But?"

"But I'd rather you stay."

She smiled, shaking her head. "You don't play fair."

He stepped closer, fingers brushing the edge of her jaw. "Not when it comes to you."

The warmth of the moment was interrupted by the sudden buzz of her phone.

She glanced at it.

Dayo.

Alexander noticed the shift in her expression. He didn't ask, but she knew he was paying attention.

She exhaled, setting down the coffee. "I have to deal with something."

---

When she met Dayo later that day, she knew this had to be the end.

He was waiting for her at a café, dressed impeccably as always, his confidence still intact despite everything.

She sat across from him, meeting his gaze head-on. "I'm not going to pretend like we didn't mean something to each other. We did."

His jaw tightened. "But?"

"But I don't belong to you anymore, Dayo. And I never will."

Something flickered across his face—hurt, anger, something unreadable. But he didn't argue.

She said firmly. "You want to rewrite history. But I'm done."

His jaw clenched. "So that's it?"

"Yes."

He studied her for a long moment, then he nodded. "Alright."

Adelani stood. "Goodbye, Dayo."

And this time, she didn't look back.

It was too easy.

Too smooth.

But she didn't question it. She was too relieved.

She walked away, convinced that this was finally over.

She didn't see the way he watched her leave.

She didn't see the way his fists clenched the moment he turned the corner.

She didn't hear the quiet, dangerous whisper that slipped from his lips.

Not yet, Lani.

Not yet.