Amber

Chapter 34: The Kiss That Changed Everything

(Amber's POV – )

I should have pulled away.

I should have let go.

I should have reminded myself what he was.

But I didn't.

Because right now, Adrian wasn't a vampire.

He wasn't a monster.

He was just a boy—breaking in my arms.

And for some reason…

I couldn't let him break alone.

—

His fingers tightened around me, his breath warm against my skin.

I could feel his chest rising and falling, shaky and uneven.

Like he wasn't used to this.

Like he didn't know how to be held.

And that?

That hurt more than anything.

—

"I won't leave," I whispered.

His entire body tensed.

Like he was afraid to believe me.

Like he had spent so long being abandoned that he didn't know how to accept anything else.

I exhaled softly, running my fingers against his back.

And then—

He pulled back.

—

I froze.

Because suddenly, his face was too close.

His golden eyes—dark, burning, unreadable—

Were locked onto mine.

And my heart?

My heart was pounding.

—

"Amber," he murmured.

His voice was rough. Low.

Like he was struggling to hold something back.

Like he was fighting himself.

I swallowed hard. "Yeah?"

His fingers twitched.

Like he wanted to touch me.

Like he was afraid to.

Then, hoarsely—

"Tell me to stop."

—

My breath hitched.

Because I should have.

I should have told him to stop.

I should have stepped away.

But I didn't.

I couldn't.

Because suddenly—

He wasn't just Adrian the vampire.

He wasn't just the boy who had kept secrets, pushed me away, made me hate him.

He was something else.

Something I didn't want to run from.

—

"I…" My voice died in my throat.

Because his fingers had brushed against my cheek.

Soft. Careful. Reverent.

And I forgot how to breathe.

—

"You're shaking," he whispered.

I let out a shaky laugh. "So are you."

His lips twitched. Barely.

But I saw it.

And then—

He leaned in.

—

I stopped thinking.

Because his nose brushed against mine, his breath fanning over my lips, his golden eyes searching—

Waiting.

Waiting for me to pull away.

Waiting for me to tell him no.

But I didn't.

I never did.

And this time?

I wasn't going to start.

—

"Adrian," I whispered.

His fingers curled against my waist.

His lips parted slightly.

Then—

He kissed me.

—

The world stopped.

My chest tightened.

Because I wasn't ready for it.

For the way his lips moved against mine, slow and deliberate.

For the way his hands held me—gentle, but possessive.

Like he had been waiting for this.

Like he had been aching for this.

Like he had finally given up on fighting it.

—

I didn't kiss him back.

Not at first.

Because I was too stunned.

Too caught in the feeling of his body against mine, his hands on my waist, his mouth on my lips.

Too lost in the fact that this was Adrian.

That Adrian Blackwood was kissing me.

And I liked it.

—

He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine.

His breath was uneven.

His hands trembled against my skin.

And then, softly—

"Tell me to stop."

—

I licked my lips, my mind spinning.

I should have said yes.

I should have ended this.

But instead—

I whispered, barely above a breath—

"Do it again."

—

His entire body stilled.

Then—

He kissed me harder.

—

I melted.

Because this wasn't soft.

This wasn't careful.

This was everything he had been holding back.

This was frustration, jealousy, desperation—

This was Adrian finally letting go.

And I let him.

—

I clutched his shirt, pulling him closer.

He groaned softly against my lips, his fingers sliding into my hair, down my back, across my waist.

And I was dizzy.

I was burning.

Because this was Adrian.

And I was kissing him back.

—

He pulled away first, breathing heavily, eyes wild.

Like he wasn't sure if this was real.

Like he was afraid I'd change my mind.

I didn't.

I couldn't.

Because I had never wanted anything more in my entire life.

—

Silence.

Heavy. Charged.

I licked my lips, trying to steady my breath.

And then—

I laughed.

—

Adrian blinked. "Are you—are you laughing?"

I giggled, covering my face. "I just—" I took a shaky breath. "I wasn't expecting that."

He smirked. "Yeah?"

I lowered my hands, meeting his eyes.

And I saw it.

The fear.

The uncertainty.

Like he thought I was about to tell him it was a mistake.

Like he thought I was about to leave.

—

I reached forward and grabbed his collar.

Pulled him back to me.

And whispered against his lips—

"You should've done that a long time ago."

—

He groaned softly.

Then—

He kissed me again.

And this time?

I kissed him back without hesitation.

Because I finally knew the truth.

I didn't hate Adrian Blackwood.

I never did.

I was just afraid to admit how much I wanted him.

And now?

Now there was no more denying it.

___