BE MINE.

HARRO.

As I mingled with childhood friends, distant cousins, and former flames, a nagging sense of emptiness crept over me. Orion was no longer by my side. I scanned the ballroom, searching for his familiar face, but he was nowhere to be found. A growing sense of unease prompted me to inquire if anyone had seen him leave, but no one seemed to have noticed his departure.

I stepped outside, phone in hand, and dialed his number. The call went unanswered, fueling my concern and I immediately knew something was wrong. With a sense of determination, I set off toward the guest quarters, my legs carrying me swiftly away from the ballroom. Questions swirled in my mind: Why had Orion left? Had he departed willingly, or had something – or someone – prompted his sudden exit?

I was breathless when I finally made it to the door, my chest heaving with anticipation as I banged on it impatiently, hoping against hope that Orion was inside. The wait seemed interminable, but to my immense relief, he opened the door, and his beautiful eyes widened slightly as he took in the sight of me standing there. He was still on the phone, his voice low and smooth as he spoke, but he quickly ended the call, and we stood there, locked in a silent stare that seemed to stretch on forever.

As I gazed at him, I felt my breath catch in my throat. He had changed out of his formal suit, now wearing only a pair of sleek pajama bottoms and a fitted shirt that showcased his chiseled abs and stunning physique to perfection. The moonlight streaming through the open door highlighted his features, casting a silver glow over his skin and making him look almost otherworldly. I felt my mouth water as I took in the sight of him – he was absolute perfection.

Orion cleared his throat, breaking the spell that had held us both entranced, and our eyes met once more. I bit my lip, suddenly feeling nervous and unsure of myself, as he nodded for me to enter. I stepped inside, and he closed the door behind us, the soft click of the latch sounding like a promise. My gaze drifted to the clothes scattered on the bed, and I looked at him nervously, my mind racing with questions. What was going on? Why were his clothes on the bed? He had been at the party just a short while ago.

"So, umm...why did you leave the party?" I asked, trying to break the awkward silence that had settled between us. "You didn't even notify me that you were leaving." My words hung in the air, a desperate attempt to shatter the tension that had somehow reappeared between us. Everything had been perfect when the party started, but now it felt like we were back at square one, like the day we first met.

Orion shrugged in response to my question, his voice low and detached. "I wanted to rest, and you seemed to be having a good time. There was no reason to interrupt you." His words stung, not just because of their dismissive tone, but also because he didn't bother to look at me as he spoke. His gaze remained fixed elsewhere, leaving me feeling hurt and invisible.

I nodded toward the clothes he was hastily stuffing into his box. "What's with the clothes?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. Orion shrugged again, his response a dismissive "Nothing." But I was tired of his half-hearted replies, tired of being left in the dark.

I reached out and grabbed his hand, briefly stopping him from his task. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something – uncertainty, perhaps, or vulnerability – before his expression became unreadable once more.

"Something is wrong, I know it is," I pressed on, my voice firm but laced with concern. "So please, don't shrug and tell me it isn't when I ask. Please." I added, my tone softening.

Orion's stoic expression faltered slightly as I reached for his other hand, my eyes locking onto his. "Tell me what's wrong so I can fix it, please," I implored, my voice desperate now. But I didn't care – the man I am irrevocably in love with is unhappy, and that hurt like hell.

I had never felt this way before, this overwhelming need to comfort and protect someone. But as I looked into Orion's eyes, I knew that I would do anything to ease his pain, to bring back the sparkle that had been missing all evening.

"I have already told you, I was tired; I wanted to relax here a little," Orion said, attempting to sound sincere, but I saw right through him. I'd witnessed his exhaustion firsthand - the weary eyes after a long day of work, the radiant smile when I made him laugh, and the sated expression after our passionate nights together. But this look, the one he wore now, was different. It was his detachment look, a mask he donned to shield himself from the world.

My heart ached as I realized he was pulling away from me, but I refused to let him. "You know I don't believe that, Orion," I said, my voice trembling with desperation. "Please, tell me how to fix whatever is troubling you. I hate seeing you like this." I searched his eyes, pleading for any clue, any hint of what was bothering him, but he remained impassive.

As he tried to pull away from me, a wave of panic washed over me. I couldn't bear the thought of losing him, of being shut out from his emotions. I tightened my grip on his hands, holding on to him as if he might slip away from me forever.

"Orion, please don't do this, don't push me away. I'm begging you," I whispered, my voice trembling with desperation. My deepest fears resurfaced, threatening to consume me. I'd always wondered how I'd feel if he woke up one day and realized he didn't want to be with me. That he wanted something more traditional like a wife and a kid? But this is happening too soon, I haven't even been with him for a week.

He took a step back, his eyes avoiding mine. "You don't have to worry about me, this is my problem. I'll figure it out," he said, his tone detached, as he ran a hand through his hair. The gesture spoke volumes – he was tired of this conversation, tired of me.

A stinging sensation pricked at the corners of my eyes as my heart twisted painfully. Does he regret being with me? Everything we'd shared the past few days, every laugh, every whispered promise, did it mean nothing to him?

"How can I not worry about you?" I asked, my voice cracking. "I thought we had something?" The words spilled out, a desperate plea to understand why he was pulling away. Did everything we'd experienced together mean nothing to him? I'd had my share of casual encounters, but this feels different. The thought that I was just a casual lover to him felt like a slow, agonizing unraveling of my very soul.

Orion's words were barely audible, a low, indistinct murmur that made me lean in, my ears straining to catch the phrase. "What was that?" I asked, my voice soft, encouraging him to repeat himself.

He turned to me, his eyes clouded with a mix of emotions - fear, uncertainty, and a hint of vulnerability. His voice was laced with a quiet desperation as he spoke the words that cut through me like a knife. "You say you want me, that we have something going on, but for how long before I become one of those people in the ballroom? How long till you're sick of me?"

My eyes widened in shock as the realization dawned on me - I was the reason he was like this. His doubts and fears were rooted in my past, in the trail of broken relationships and discarded partners. I felt a pang of guilt and regret, knowing that my actions had led him to question his own worth.

I chose my next words with care, speaking from the heart. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of you, Orion," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "You're all I think about." But my words were met with skepticism, Orion's expression twisting into a dismissive scoff.

"You don't have to spare my feelings, it's okay to think about someone all the time like you said. It'll pass once you've gotten your fill, it's called lust," Orion countered, his hand rubbing his face in a gesture of frustration. His words cut deep, and I felt a pang of guilt. He was right, I did know what lust was like. I'd indulged in it countless times before, reveling in the attention and admiration of others. But things have been different lately. And tonight, I'd only wanted him.

"I'm sorry that you had to see that tonight," I said, my voice sincerely, my eyes locked on his. "It was foolish of me to entertain them, especially since I'm with you. But that's done now, and I promise it won't happen again, ever!" I vowed, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for his response.

Orion's gaze pierced mine, his eyes searching for any sign of insincerity. I stood there, frozen, feeling like I was under a microscope, waiting for his verdict. The air was thick with tension as the seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity.

"How do you know it won't happen again?" Orion asked, his eyes still fixed intently on mine after what felt like an eternity. My heart somersaulted, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the unknown. This was it – the moment of truth. My answer would either strengthen the fragile bond between us or shatter it irreparably. I thought, my mind is racing with the weight of the moment. I'm so fucking scared!

I took a deep breath, my voice cracking with desperation as I spoke from the heart. "Because...I don't ever want to make you feel like you're feeling right now," I said, my words aching with sincerity. I paused, my eyes locked on his, and took the leap of faith. "Because I like you, no...I'm in love with you." The words tumbled out, raw and unfiltered, and I felt a surge of vulnerability. I'd never confessed my feelings to anyone before, and I wasn't sure if I'd done it right.

Orion's eyes widened, his face frozen in a shocked expression as he stared at me. I squirmed, feeling like I was under a microscope, wondering if I'd made a mistake. Was this not how I was supposed to tell him? Had I been too forward, too honest? The silence between us was oppressive, heavy with anticipation, as I waited for his response.

"You're in love with me?" Orion asked, his voice low and husky, thick with emotion. I nodded, my throat constricting, unable to form words, fearing that speaking would shatter the fragile moment.

His eyes searched mine, as if seeking answers to unspoken questions. "You can't be in love with me," he whispered, his words more a self-muttered doubt than a statement directed at me. My heart crashed, shattering into a million pieces like delicate glass dropped on stone. I felt the sting of rejection, the crushing weight of unrequited love.

He continued, his voice a gentle breeze that only added to my anguish. "You've never been in love before, how do you know you're in love with me?" The question hung in the air, a challenge that demanded an answer.

My eyes darted to his, a spark of determination igniting within me. I took a step forward, my legs moving with a resolve that belied the turmoil brewing inside. I was ready to confront his doubts, to prove that my feelings were genuine, and that I was willing to fight for what we had.

"You wondered why I changed my mind about the merger after declining to meet your father for weeks," I began, my words spilling out in a rush. "It was you... rather, your picture. One glance at your photograph in the folder, and I was captivated. I knew, in that instant, that I wanted you." Orion's face crinkled, his expression a mixture of annoyance and curiosity, but I pressed on, the dam broken.

"I couldn't shake you from my mind after that," I confessed, the memories flooding back. "I thought that if I just slept with you once, I'd get you out of my system. But then we started working together, and I found myself craving your smile. I wanted to know what kept you awake at night and how I could soothe those worries. But I pushed those feelings aside, convincing myself it was just a passing infatuation."

My voice dropped to a whisper, the vulnerability palpable. "And then, that day at your penthouse, when we kissed... I knew that if we went further, I wouldn't be able to let you go. That was my real reason for wanting to leave – I was already in too deep, and the thought of not being with you was unbearable. I realized that not being with you would hurt more. Hence, the sudden invitation and, well... you know the rest" I exhaled a sigh of relief, the weight of my secrets finally lifted.

Orion's gaze pierced mine, his eyes searching for any sign of hesitation. "You're serious about this, aren't you?" he asked, his voice low and husky. I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation.

"Please don't leave me," I whispered, my voice trembling with desperation. I knew I was being shameless, but I didn't care. I was willing to do anything to keep him by my side. The thought of losing him was unbearable.

Orion's face softened, a gentle smile spreading across his lips. "Okay," he whispered, his breath caressing my skin. "I won't leave you, but on one condition." His eyes gleamed with a possessive intensity, his face inches from mine.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'll do anything," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Orion's lips brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. "I won't leave you on the condition that you're mine and mine alone," he whispered, his words dripping with possessiveness. "I'm not going to share you with anyone else."

My eyes widened, my heart racing with excitement. I nodded eagerly, accepting his terms without hesitation.

"I promise you that I won't mess around with anyone ever again, I'm all yours," I vowed, my words dripping with conviction. I meant every syllable, every promise. The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled down my cheeks, and Orion gently wiped them away with his thumb.

He enveloped me in a warm hug, his whisper soothing. "There, there, don't cry. It breaks my heart to see you cry." I laughed, the sound trembling with joy. I wasn't crying because of pain or sorrow; I was overwhelmed with happiness. I never cried, no matter what life threw my way. Yet, here I was, tears streaming down my face like a dam had burst.

Orion pulled me out of his embrace, a tender smile on his face. "Let me see your beautiful face," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Why are you crying instead of telling me what you want with words, you big baby?" He teased, his lips brushing against my forehead in a gentle kiss.

I sniffled, feeling a little silly, and i hugged him tightly again. I nestled my face in the crook of his neck, letting him hold me, feeling safe and cherished. I was scared, so fucking scared, of losing him, but now he'd agreed to be mine, and I was over the moon. Words failed me, but my heart sang with joy, my soul soaring with relief.

"You should bathe, wash their fingerprints off you," Orion said playfully, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he led me to the bathroom. He drew a warm bath, the scent of lavender and vanilla filling the air, and I felt my muscles relax in anticipation.

But then, a mischievous idea popped into my head. "Bathe with me," I said, giving him my best puppy dog eyes, my smile coaxing him to indulge me. Orion's lips curled into a smile, and he kissed me, his mouth warm and inviting.

"You know I don't know how to say no to you, right?" he whispered, his voice husky with desire. I laughed, feeling a sense of peace wash over me, as I dragged him into the shower with me.

The warm water cascaded down our bodies, and our lips connected instantly, the spark between us igniting into a passionate flame. The world outside melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the intimacy of the moment. I fucking love him so much!