She was an incredible cook.

Felix violently snapped out of his daze, realizing his mind was entirely consumed by Claire.

He forced the suffocating emotions down, stood up, and went upstairs to shower.

When he opened the closet, the first thing he saw was the pajamas she had picked out for him.

They were a little childish, designed as a matching set with hers.

He had always hated them and refused to wear them.

He hadn't let her wear hers either.

Whenever she reached for them, he would grab her waist, pull her against him, and whisper against her skin, "You're just going to take it off anyway. Why bother putting it on?"

He preferred her wearing absolutely nothing.

But tonight, he took the matching pajamas he had sworn never to touch and walked into the bathroom.

The moment he stepped inside, his eyes locked onto the massive, wall-to-wall mirror.

They had spent countless heated, frantic nights pressed against that very glass.

He used to pin her against the mirror, driving into her and demanding she tell him how much she loved him.

She had never held back.

Over and over, breathless and desperate, she would chant her love for him.

And with every confession, he had lost his mind a little more, claiming her with possessive dominance.

He hadn't been lying when he told her he was falling for her.

Maybe it was the meals she cooked.

Maybe it was the light she always left on for him.

Maybe it was the stubborn little succulents by the window.

Or maybe it was the explosive, earth-shattering sex.

Whatever the reason, his heart beat for her now.

She had promised she loved him too.

This couldn't be the end.

It just couldn't be.

Felix whirled around, sprinting down the stairs and out the door, throwing himself into his car and tearing off into the night.

...

Riding in a supercar with the wind in her hair did wonders for Claire's mood.

A genuine smile finally graced her lips.

She treated Wilbur to a lavish dinner.

Afterward, claiming they needed to walk off the food, Wilbur drove her to an amusement park.

Standing at the entrance, a wave of complex emotions washed over Claire.

The last time she had been to a theme park, she was five years old.

Her parents had brought her.

It was the last birthday she had ever truly celebrated.

Years had passed, and the rides were miles more advanced than she remembered,

but the magic was still there.

She had an incredible time.

It was the best day she'd had in five years.

When they finally left at eleven o'clock, she was practically glowing.

"Next time, take you to the park Harborview City. The fireworks there

are stunning,"ur

Claire's eyes crinkled with genuine

amusement. "You really are a smooth operator ! bet no one

resist your charm."

Wilbur flashed a devastating grin, keeping his eyes on the road. "And what about you?"

Claire quickly waved her hands in mock surrender. "I am highly allergic to romance right now, thanks."

Wilbur just chuckled, letting the joke fade into a comfortable silence.

It was nearly midnight when they pulled up to her hotel.

Claire was still buzzing with adrenaline and thanked Wilbur profusely as she stepped out.

Wilbur raised an eyebrow playfully. "Not going to invite me up for a drink?"

"Hard pass," Claire shot back.

"Just kidding," Wilbur laughed.

Claire knew he was joking, but her heart still skipped a nervous beat.

She waved, about to tell him to drive safe.

Before the words could leave her

mouth, a furious, tightly colleget

voice ripped through the night behind her Claire!

So you have any

idea what today is?!"