บท 21: Adrian

Esteria woke up feeling a warm presence beside her. Slowly opening her eyes, she found El-Kharis lying next to her, his chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of sleep. Even in repose, he looked powerful—his chiseled features softened in sleep, but still striking. She couldn't help but admire him, her gaze lingering on his thick eyelashes, the sharp lines of his jaw, and the perfection of his face.

Gently, almost without thinking, she reached out to brush her fingers against his cheek, tracing the line of his strong jaw. His skin was warm beneath her touch, and she marveled at how someone could appear so untouchable and yet feel so real.

"You can't get enough of me, mate," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep. His eyes fluttered open, meeting hers with a knowing look. Esteria's face immediately flushed a deep crimson, her hand retracting as if she had been caught doing something forbidden.