Snow stood frozen, her hand still enveloped in Andreas's, the phantom heat of his touch a brand on her skin. The echo of Alex's taunts still hung in the air, but they were quickly overshadowed by Andreas's fierce declaration. She is under my protection. The words vibrated through her, stirring a chaotic mix of emotions. Fear, yes, but also a startling warmth, a thrilling sense of being seen and defended.
She looked up at him, her gaze traveling over his still-taut jawline, the intensity in his stormy eyes. The man who ate CEOs for breakfast had just claimed her, openly, unequivocally. The sheer audacity of it, coupled with the raw sincerity in his voice, stole her breath. Her mind, usually so sharp and analytical, felt delightfully, terrifyingly blank.
"Andreas," she whispered, the name feeling natural, intimate on her tongue. It was less a question and more an exhale of surprise.
His gaze softened, the tension in his shoulders easing almost imperceptibly. He didn't let go of her hand. Instead, his thumb began to stroke the back of her palm, a slow, comforting rhythm that sent delicious shivers through her. The simple gesture was far more potent than any grand declaration.
"Are you truly alright, Snow?" he asked again, his voice lower now, laced with a concern that felt profoundly personal.
Snow swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "I… I think so," she managed, her eyes still locked with his. The air between them was thick, charged with unspoken words, with the sudden, undeniable shift in their dynamic. The professional distance had shattered, replaced by something far more dangerous, far more exhilarating.
He took a small step closer, pulling her gently, infinitesimally, towards him. The scent of rain and his unique cologne enveloped her, intoxicating her senses. His free hand, hesitantly at first, then with more confidence, settled on her waist. A spark, bright and exhilarating, shot through her.
"He won't bother you again," Andreas murmured, his voice a low promise. "Not like this."
Snow looked up, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, but also something else – a hunger, a longing that mirrored her own. Her heart hammered, a frantic drum against her ribs. She was terrified. Terrified of the past, terrified of the powerful world he inhabited, terrified of the feelings he so effortlessly stirred within her. But beneath the fear was a surge of raw, undeniable attraction, a yearning she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years.
She found herself leaning into his touch, drawn by an invisible, irresistible force. The proximity was electrifying. She could feel the warmth of his body, the solid strength of him. It was a stark contrast to her own fragility, and yet, it felt incredibly safe.
He leaned down, slowly, his gaze never leaving hers, giving her every opportunity to pull away. But she didn't. She couldn't. Her eyes fluttered closed as his breath ghosted across her lips. The anticipation was exquisite, agonizing. Every nerve ending in her body sang, alive and vibrant.
And then, his lips met hers.
It was soft at first, a hesitant exploration, a question. Then, as she instinctively leaned into him, the kiss deepened, becoming more insistent, more passionate. It was a kiss that devoured, that consumed, that stripped away layers of caution and fear. His hand tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against him, her body molding to his with startling ease. She wrapped her arms around his neck, clutching onto him as if he were her anchor in a suddenly tumultuous sea.
The kiss was everything she hadn't known she craved: tender and fierce, demanding and yielding. It spoke of a deep connection, a raw desire that transcended their different worlds. Her past traumas, her carefully constructed walls – they all crumbled under the intensity of his touch, his lips, his hungry embrace.
When they finally broke apart, breathless, the silence was profound, filled only with the ragged rhythm of their breathing and the distant drumming of rain. Andreas rested his forehead against hers, his eyes still closed, a tremor running through his powerful frame.
Snow's legs felt weak. She was dizzy, elated, and utterly, wonderfully overwhelmed. The taste of him lingered on her lips, a potent reminder of the boundary they had just crossed. She was no longer just the CEO of EdenTech, the survivor of a corporate betrayal. In his arms, she was simply Snow, a woman experiencing a dangerous, exhilarating new emotion.
Andreas opened his eyes, his stormy gaze now dark with desire and a hint of surprise. "Snow," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I…" He paused, searching for words, something rare for the usually articulate CEO. "I didn't expect that."
Snow, still reeling, managed a shaky smile. "Neither did I, Mr. Charm."
He chuckled, a low, husky sound. His hand moved from her waist, tracing the curve of her spine, sending another shiver through her. "Andreas," he corrected gently, his thumb caressing the sensitive skin of her back. "Just Andreas."
His proximity, the warmth of his body, the lingering scent of him – it was all too much, and yet, not enough. The vulnerability she felt was terrifying, but the pleasure was intoxicating. The kiss had been an unbidden, explosive spark, igniting a fire she hadn't known lay dormant within her.
And now, she realized, there was no going back. The rules had changed.