Fated To Save You- By: Tina Marie

Chapter 18 - A Gentle Awakening

Last Updated on 2024-10-10 19:22:48

Wren awoke to the soft light of late morning streaming through the curtains, the room filled with a peaceful stillness. She blinked, slowly becoming aware of her surroundings, the memories of the previous night lingering at the edges of her consciousness. She rolled over, expecting to find the bed empty, but instead, she found Connor lying beside her, his breathing slow and even, still lost in sleep.

Surprised, Wren hesitated, then peeked over at him, her gaze lingering on his peaceful face. She studied him quietly, taking in the way the light played across his features—the strong line of his jaw, the softness of his lips, the way his dark hair fell messily across his forehead. In the calmness of the morning, with no barriers between them, she noticed something she hadn’t before.

How did I not notice before how handsome he is? Wren wondered, feeling a pang of guilt. I was too wrapped up in that axxxxxx to notice anything else.

She let her gaze travel down, noticing the way the blanket rested against the contours of his body. Connor was undeniably handsome, but more than that, there was something about him that made her heart ache in a way that was unfamiliar yet comforting. The thought snuck into her mind before she could stop it.

What would it have been like to have dated Connor instead? she mused, lost in thought. Would I have been happier?

As Wren pondered this, her eyes remained fixed on him, her mind spinning with what-ifs. Connor stirred beside her, stretching lazily as he awoke. He blinked, his eyes focusing on her as he sat up in the bed. A smile touched his lips as he caught her shyly staring at him.

"Good morning," Connor greeted, his voice still rough with sleep.

Wren blushed, quickly averting her eyes. “Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?”

Connor chuckled softly, the sound warm and teasing. “No, but I’m glad I woke up. I got to see something beautiful as soon as I opened my eyes.”

Wren’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. “Quit joking around.”

“Who’s joking?” Connor replied, his tone sincere.

Wren looked at him, her heart skipping a beat at the way he was gazing at her. She felt her defenses weakening, the walls she had built around her heart beginning to crumble. Before she could think of a response, Connor spoke again, his voice gentle.

“Can I hug you?”

The question took her by surprise. She nodded slowly, unsure of how to feel. “Umm… okay.”

Connor moved closer, wrapping his arms around her with a careful tenderness, pulling her into his embrace. Wren stiffened at the touch, her face pressed against his chest. The contact was unfamiliar, and for a moment, panic threatened to rise within her. But then, something unexpected happened—she felt safe.

Connor noticed her tension and immediately loosened his hold, his voice filled with concern. “I’m sorry. Do you not like my touch?”

Wren shook her head quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. “No, it’s not that. You feel warm… and nice.”

Connor’s heart swelled at her admission, and he couldn’t help but hug her a little tighter, holding her close as if she were something fragile and precious. “I will always protect you and keep you safe. I’ll never hurt you.”

Wren looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of wonder and disbelief. But in that moment, she realized she believed him. Connor seemed like someone she could trust—someone who would never let her down.

“I know you won’t,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you.”

Connor frowned slightly, puzzled by her words. “Why are you thanking me?”

“Thank you for still wanting to love a broken person like me,” Wren murmured, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. The thought that she could still be loved, that someone could see past her scars and still care for her, was almost too much to bear.

Connor’s expression softened, and he reached up to gently wipe the tears from her cheeks. “Thank you for letting me love you and not pushing me away.”

Wren felt her heart clench at his words, the sincerity in his voice overwhelming. She nuzzled her face closer to his chest, seeking the warmth and comfort he offered. For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel alone.

This is too good to be true, Wren thought, her mind battling with her emotions. But even as doubts whispered at the edges of her thoughts, she couldn’t bring herself to let go. Not now, when she had found something so pure, so unexpected.

Connor held her close, his fingers gently stroking her hair as he let her settle into his embrace. He knew she had been hurt, that her past had left scars that wouldn’t heal easily. But he was willing to be patient, to wait as long as it took for her to trust him completely.

In the quiet of the morning, with the world outside still hushed and distant, they held onto each other, finding solace in the simple act of being together. Neither of them spoke, but words weren’t needed. In that moment, they both understood that something had changed—that they were no longer alone in their struggles, that they had found a safe place in each other’s arms.

And as Wren finally allowed herself to relax, her body melting into Connor’s embrace, she knew that she didn’t want to let go—not of this feeling, not of him. Because for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

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Fated To Save You- By: Tina Marie

Chapter 18 - A Gentle Awakening

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