Stella's P.O.V.

I cry out as Alex thrusts into me, slow and deep, his body pressed tightly against my back. His one hand squeezes my buttocks, the other kneads my breast while his lips move across my neck and shoulders, leaving warm kisses.

God! It feels so good, like everything in my mind is melting away.

All the thoughts that were tormenting me just minutes ago start to dissolve with every thrust. Right now, in this moment, there's only us. I can't deny the connection between us, even if I'm not ready to accept it.

I turn my head, seeking his lips, and kiss him with everything I have. The kiss is hungry and desperate, our tongues tangling. We move together, our bodies finding a perfect rhythm, and soon we're both on the edge.

With his one last deep thrust, we explode together, our bodies trembling in sync. I'm lost in the sensation and in him. For a moment, I completely forget about everything else.

But as the pleasure fades away, reality hits me. I know this is more than just sex. The connection between us is undeniable, but I can't let myself fall into it. I'm not ready.

I feel Alex's breath warm against my ear, his arms pulling me closer as he asks in a husky tone, "Feeling better?"

He's still inside me, holding me close, and it feels so safe, so right. But no, I can't let myself stay here. Not emotionally.

Without responding, I gently pull away, slipping out of his embrace.

"Where are you going?" He asks, grabbing my hand as I start to climb out of bed.

"To sleep on the sofa," I reply, avoiding his gaze. "Like I said, I want to keep things physical between us."

I feel a pang in my heart as I see the disappointment flash in his eyes, his grip tightening slightly before he lets me go. "Sleep here," he says after a moment, his voice low. "I'll take the sofa."

"You won't fit," I protest, glancing at the small couch across the room.

"Stella, lie down and sleep," he says in a firm tone. "I'll manage."

Before I can argue, he climbs out of bed, grabbing a spare blanket and pillow. I watch him settle onto the sofa. His large body looks uncomfortable, but he doesn't complain.

Why is he being so nice? It's getting so hard to stop myself from falling for him.

As he lies down, we lock eyes across the room.

"Good night, Stella."

"Good night, Alex."

I miss his warmth already, the steady beat of his heart, the way his arms felt around me. I'm dying to go back to him, to fall asleep in his embrace, but I force myself to stay still. No matter how hard it is, I have to control myself.

With a heavy sigh, I close my eyes. But it's going to be a long night without him next to me.

***

It's been an hour. I've been tossing and turning, trying to find a comfortable position, but sleep just won't come. Every time I close my eyes, all I can think about is Alex—how warm and safe I felt in his arms, how his touch made all the darkness in my mind disappear.

God! Why is it getting so difficult?

I can hear his soft breathing from across the room, and I know he's fallen asleep.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to convince myself that I'm fine on my own, that I don't need him. But the truth is, I'm not fine. I'm restless.

What am I doing? I think as I change positions yet again, my frustration growing. Why am I torturing myself like this?

I'm dying to be in his arms, to feel his warmth again, to let myself relax. It's driving me crazy, lying here alone when all I want is him.

"Fuck everything!" I mutter, throwing the blanket off of me. I just need to sleep, and the only way that's going to happen is if I'm with him.

Without overthinking it again, I climb out of bed and walk over to the sofa. Alex stirs slightly but doesn't wake up.

I lift the edge of the blanket he's wrapped in and slip beneath it, climbing on top of him. His body instantly responds, his arms wrapping around me as if he was waiting for me all along.

"I knew you'd come," he murmurs in a sleepy voice, his lips brushing against my forehead as he pulls the blanket over both of us.

His warmth engulfs me, and I melt into his embrace, my head resting on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

It feels so peaceful to be in his arms.

"I couldn't sleep," I admit quietly.

"You don't have to explain, Stella," he replies, his hand running up and down my back in soothing strokes, sending shivers down my spine. "Now just sleep."

My heart isn't racing, my mind isn't spinning with doubts and fears. All that exists right now is the comforting sound of his heartbeat and the gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath me.

Maybe tomorrow I'll regret giving in, maybe I'll go back to pushing him away. But for now, I let myself fall asleep in his arms, knowing that this is exactly where I need to be.

***

The next morning, I wake up to the sound of Alex's phone ringing constantly. It's loud, and it's interrupting the peaceful sleep. I groan, burying my face deeper into his chest, trying to block out the noise.

"Your phone, Alex. Shut it up." My voice muffles against his skin as I snuggle closer to him.

He chuckles, his voice still heavy with sleep. "You're on top of me. How am I supposed to do that?"

Then I realise the position we're in. I'm lying completely on top of him, my limbs tangled with his. Our bodies are pressed so close I can feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat.

I glance up to see his sleepy smirk. "Sorry." I giggle, feeling a little shy.

He tugs gently at my cheek. "You're cute."

I roll my eyes but sit up, shifting to the side to give him space to move. He rises from the sofa, his muscles flexing as he stretches, and then walks over to the nightstand to grab his phone.

My eyes drift down to his perfect bare butt and tattoos on his back.

Why is he so tempting?

I bite my lower lip, my thighs clenching as I feel the growing pool of wetness between them.

What is this man doing to me? It's like my body can't get enough, like it craves him on a level I can't control. I'm getting addicted—to his body, his touch, his warmth, and maybe even his heart.

Fuck! Control yourself, Stella. Control.

He returns to the sofa with his phone after putting it on silent mode. Then he sits down beside me, looking so effortlessly sexy with his tousled hair and half-lidded eyes.

"Whose call was it?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual as I fight the urge to pull him back into me.

"Sky," he answers, leaning back against the cushions.

Shit. His match practice. I completely forgot about it. I feel a pang of guilt, knowing he's missing it because of me.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out, my eyes fixed on my hands. "Because of me, you're here and can't go for match practice."

Alex frowns, reaching out to cup my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Stop blaming yourself, Stella. You didn't force me to come here. I brought you here because I wanted to. It's just one match practice. Right now, you're more important to me. Understand?"

His words hit me straight in the heart. There is something in his tone, something real and raw, that makes me feel... cherished. Jade never made me feel like this.

I just nod, can't able to find the right words.

When and how did I become so important to him?

"Don't ignore Sky's call like this. Talk to him," I say after a moment, trying to change the subject before my emotions overwhelm me. "I'm going to get fresh."

I rise from the sofa before walking toward the bathroom, needing a moment to clear my head.