One Night

Chapter 134

Audrey

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I lay with my head on Edwin’s shoulder afterwards, tracing lazy patterns across his bare skin and watching as his chest rose and fell. Soft strains of classical music played on the speaker, and the candles flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls of our secret hideaway. The air still smelled like sweat and intimacy, heady and intoxicating.

Edwin reached for a bunch of grapes on the nearby tray, plucking one and bringing it to my lips. “Open,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

I obliged, letting him feed me the sweet fruit. His fingers, still tasting faintly like me, brushed my lips as I took the grape. The burst of flavor on my tongue was a stark contrast to the lingering taste of his skin.

As I chewed, Edwin poured us each another glass of wine. I took my offered glass, clinking it softly with his, and took a sip. After our encounter, that bit of liquid felt necessary to cool myself and relax my tired muscles.

“This is nice,” I said softly, snuggling closer to him as if he might disappear if I didn’t.

Edwin hummed in agreement and turned to me. One hand came up to cup the nape of my neck, and he lazily ran his fingers through my disheveled hair. “It is. I wish we could stay like this forever.”

Forever. That sounded nice. I could have stayed here for eternity, just in this room. No obstacles, no heartache, no…..

Fiona.

The contentment I felt in that moment was suddenly pierced by the memory of her-of the way she had acted earlier today. Her sweet smile, her gentle voice, the way her platinum hair caught the light.

So unlike the version of her I had met twice before..

I bit my lip, debating whether to bring it up now or to wait. We only had our little rendezvous once a week, and I hated the thought of shattering the little bit of peace we felt during this time. But if I couldn’t tell him now, then when could I?

“Edwin,” I started hesitantly, my fingers tightening around the stem of my wine glass, “there’s something I need to tell your”

He tensed slightly, eyeing me over the rim of his glass. “What is it?”

I took a deep breath to steel myself. “I saw Fiona in town today.

Edwin’s entire body immediately went rigid, except for his fingers, which slackened around his glass. For a moment, it almost seemed like he would drop it and spill the red liquid over our makeshift bed, but then he seemed to collect himself again and set it aside.

“Are you sure it was her?” His voice was sharp.

I nodded, setting aside my own glass. Still fully nude, I raised myself onto my knees and dug my fingers into the soft flesh of my bare thighs. “Positive. I didn’t know she would be in town. Is it… is it anything to worry about?”

Edwin gritted his teeth, a low growl rumbling in his chest. The sound sent a shiver down my spine for more reasons than one-a reminder of the wolf that lurked beneath his human exterior. Terrifying and s**-

“I wasn’t aware she was in town either,” he said darkly. “I certainly didn’t invite her, which means she must be up to something.” He paused, then asked, his voice tight, “Did she say or do anything cruel to you?”

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09:29 Thu, Sep 19

Chapter 134

I hesitated, chewing on my lower lip as I thought back to the encounter. “That’s the weird thing. She was actually… nice. She took one of my friend’s business flyers and even apologized for her past behavior. Said that she’d like to have a chance to talk with me at Claudia’s birthday. It was eerie, seeing how kind she was after everything.”

Edwin’s body went rigid again. He reached for me, pulling me close and glancing at the door as if she would suddenly burst in right now. I let him gather me into his lap, savoring the feeling of his muscular arms tightening around me. He was so warm against me that I couldn’t help but turn to face him, wrapping my legs around his hips so we were entwined.

“It’s just an act,” he said quickly, his voice hard. “Don’t trust her, Audrey. If you see her again, you need to tell me immediately. Promise me.”

The intensity in his voice startled me. I pulled back just enough to look at him, taken aback by the fierce protectiveness in his eyes. “Edwin…”

“Promise me,” he repeated.

I swallowed hard. “I promise,” I said softly.

Edwin nodded stiffly, letting out a small breath of relief. But his body remained rigid, his arms wrapped protectively around me. I realized, in those moments, that a part of him feared her. Not for what she could do to him if she wanted to, but for what she could do to me.

I was too terrified to ask just how far she would go.

Wanting to ease his tension, I leaned closer and kissed him softly. Almost instantly, I felt him relax beneath me. His arms tightened around me as he deepened the kiss, rolling us over so I was beneath him again on the blanket.

This time, our lovemaking was slower, more tender. Edwin’s hands and lips were gentle as they explored my body, and I lost myself in the sensations, in the sound of his voice murmuring my name in my ear.

We rocked together on the blanket for some time, our glasses of wine left mostly-untouched on the floor. His powerful frame caged me, protected me from the outside world. When I finally cracked and finished on him, he held me even closer, his panting breaths brushing across the soft skin of my neck.

When we finished for a second time, we lay tangled together, breathless and sated.

As we caught our breath. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Nearly three AM; the realization that our time was running out and that we wouldn’t see each other like this for another week felt like a weight on my chest.

“It’s late,” I said reluctantly. “We should probably go.”

Edwin sighed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. His lips lingered there, as if he too was reluctant to let the moment end. “You’re right. Same time next Friday?”

I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips despite the sadness creeping in. “I’ll be here.”

We dressed slowly, stealing kisses between buttoning shirts and zipping dresses. Two weeks of this, and I was already yearning for more. I already craved the days when we could sleep in each other’s arms in a real bed, not hidden away in a basement room.

As I prepared to leave-we always left ten minutes apart, with me going first-Edwin caught my arm. His touch sent a jolt through me, and I turned, the tiniest shred of me hoping that he would ask me to come home with him.

But he didn’t

“Remember what I said about Fiona,” he said, his eyes serious. The playfulness from earlier was gone, replaced by a grim

09:29 Thu, Sep 19 G

Chapter 134

determination. “If you see her, go the other way. Don’t engage with her if you can help it. Okay?”

I nodded, but couldn’t help asking, “How long will I need to be worried about her?” My voice came out smaller than 1 intend

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Edwin’s face softened ever so slightly, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my arm. “I’m working on it, I promise. It won’t be too long. Just… be careful until then, okay?”

“Okay.” I agreed, although I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wouldn’t be so simple.

With one last kiss, deep and lingering. I slipped out of the room and into the night. The cool air hit me like a shock, a stark contrast to the warmth of Edwin’s arms.

I made my way back to my dorm that night, hugging my own arms around myself as if that would somehow replace his. But it paled in comparison.

I’d just have to make do until next week.