GENESIS
I was awake... but I couldn't move.
Nothing pinned me down, yet the man beside me kept me captive.
He slept soundly, his broad chest rising and falling in rhythm.
My cheeks warmed. How could I not notice him when he was right there?
And asleep.
Should I move? Did I even have permission to?
Morning light slipped through the blinds, soft streaks cutting across the room. Birds chirped faintly outside.
Still, I stayed frozen.
Nothing had happened. Again.
How were we supposed to make children if he wouldn't touch me?
The thought stung, but I pushed it away.
Right now, all I could think about was him—
my husband.
He was too handsome for his own good. When awake, his blue eyes always carried a smile, like nothing in the world could bother him.
But beneath that smile… something darker lurked—something my broken self recognized instantly.
My fingers twitched, moving before I realized. I slammed my hand back onto the bed.
What was I doing? When did I get so bold?
If my parents were alive—if my life had gone differently—would I ever have dared to touch him? To feel the rough hair on his jaw? He used to be clean-shaven. When did that change?
It didn't matter.
Nothing could change my fate now.
Maybe one day I'd be brave.
Not to touch him… but to leave the moment I got my inheritance.
"Instead of staring at me," his deep voice broke through my thoughts, "you could give me a good morning kiss."
I jolted, nearly falling off the bed but a strong arm caught me.
In the next breath, I was beneath him.
His body hovered over mine, hands caging me in.
Too close.
My heart pounded so loud it filled my ears.
Was I about to be punished?
Did he really expect a kiss this morning?
Yesterday, he hadn't said anything about rules. I wished he had.
Without thinking, I leaned up and pressed a quick, clumsy peck to his lips.
Then squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself.
He stayed silent.
His breathing deepened.
And then..
Kiss.
Soft. Warm.
My eyes flew open.
He was watching me, his lips still on mine.
It was gentle, chaste… but longer.
We stayed like that, breath mingling.
Then he pulled away, leaving me flushed and breathless.
And chuckled.
A low, deep sound that made my skin tingle.
Was he laughing at me?
His hand rose. I looked away instinctively, expecting a blow...
but instead, rough fingers brushed my cheek, sliding down to my lips.
He traced the bottom one, then the top. Slow. Deliberate.
My breath hitched.
He leaned closer, his breath warm against my face.
"You're cute."
My eyes snapped open, but he was already climbing off the bed, stretching lazily, muscles rippling under sun-kissed skin.
Stop staring, Genesis.
When I looked back, he was watching me again, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"Come."
I scrambled to my feet, the soft pajamas swishing around my legs.
Had he changed me into them?
Heat crept up my neck at the thought.
He stood, towering over me.
I looked away—too late.
His hand gripped my jaw, guiding my gaze back to his face.
"I want to take you out today."
What?
My brows furrowed.
"Do you want to come?"
He was… asking?
"Genesis."
His tone snapped me out of it, and I quickly nodded.
"Good."
He let go, heading for the bathroom. The door clicked shut, but the warmth of his touch lingered.
I stood there, heart racing.
He was taking me somewhere. I should bathe too.
Maybe… we could shower together?
The thought made my face burn. But he'd already seen everything, hadn't he?
Slowly, I slipped off the pajamas, skin prickling at the cool air.
Bare.
I stopped before the bathroom door, hesitating.
You need permission.
But before I could knock, my hand turned the handle.
Warm steam wrapped around me.
His silhouette moved behind the fogged glass.
I tiptoed to the sink, grabbed my blue toothbrush, and began brushing my teeth, pretending not to exist.
When I finished, I rinsed and looked up—
he was still showering.
Should I go in?
My heart pounded. Would he mind? Would he… want me to?
I didn't even hear the glass door open until his voice came, deep and low.
"Come here."