Here's Chapter 9 of Beneath the Same Roof — where things reach a breaking point. This is the rooftop scene hinted at earlier: a private, electric moment between Ava and Julian where the tension is no longer just emotional... it's physical. Still a slow burn — but now with fire licking the edge.
Chapter 9 – Midnight Heat
POV: Ava
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The wind was cool against my skin, but I was already too warm.
I climbed the spiral staircase to the rooftop terrace barefoot, carrying my heels in one hand, heart pounding hard enough I could feel it in my throat.
The moon painted everything silver. Nairobi stretched endlessly below — lights blinking like secrets no one dared speak aloud.
And he was already there.
Leaning against the wrought-iron railing, arms crossed, black shirt half unbuttoned like he'd given up pretending he wasn't dangerous.
Julian turned when he heard me. Didn't smile. Didn't speak.
His eyes said everything.
"You came," he said finally, voice low and rough.
"You knew I would."
He nodded once, pushing off the rail, slow steps toward me.
When he reached me, he didn't touch me.
He just stood close — so close I could smell his cologne, woodsmoke and rain, mixed with something entirely him.
"Why here?" I asked, my voice a whisper.
"No walls. No mirrors. Just sky," he said. "I needed... less noise."
"I'm the noise, Julian."
His eyes snapped to mine.
"You're the only silence I want."
He reached out, slowly, like asking for permission. His fingers brushed my jaw, slid down to the curve of my neck.
"Tell me to stop," he whispered.
I didn't.
Instead, I tilted my face up. My breath hitched.
He kissed me.
Soft at first. A test. A warning. A promise.
Then—deeper.
His hand slid into my hair. My fingers gripped his shirt, dragging him closer, and the kiss turned hungry, wild, real.
I felt him everywhere. In my chest. My legs. My spine. His hands cupped my face like he didn't want me to disappear.
We broke apart, panting.
"I tried," he said against my lips. "I really did."
"I know," I whispered. "Me too."
His mouth found my neck. I gasped. My back hit the rooftop wall.
He groaned softly, forehead pressed to mine.
"This changes everything," he said.
"It already has."
The wind danced around us. My dress fluttered. His hands were on my waist, then my hips.
Then lower.
But he didn't rush.
This wasn't reckless.
This was deliberate.
Every touch — a question.
Every breath — an answer.
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We didn't go all the way. Not that night.
But it didn't matter.
Because standing there beneath the stars, pressed against him, my heart nearly bursting from wanting — I knew something for sure:
We had already crossed the line.
There was no going back.
🌙 End of Chapter Hook:
Ava leans into him one last time before pulling away. Her voice is quiet but certain:
"Whatever this is, it's ours now."