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Chapter 275
~Zara’s POV~
It had been two days since Ella arrived, and I had barely seen Snow, and between tending to Ella, unpacking her things, and keeping up with my duties, time with my husband had been limited. Truth be told, I missed him.
But Snow had been distant too—something was off. Maybe it was everything that happened with my kidnapping, Kaid’s palace, or even the ominous message from Xavier about the Shadow Clave.
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his quietness.
That evening, as I finally stepped away from Ella to catch my breath, I decided to check on him. Snow was nowhere in sight when I entered our room, but the soft glow of the balcony lights caught my attention.
I padded over silently, masking my scent as I approached while Snow stood there, his broad frame silhouetted against the twilight, his gaze fixed on the gardens below.
His hands gripped the railing, and his shoulders were tense, a weight visible in every line of his body.
Without a word, I slipped behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek against his back. "Hey," I whispered.
Snow stiffened for a moment, then relaxed under my touch. He turned slowly, his icy blue eyes softening as they met mine. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.
"You’ve been hiding," I murmured, tilting my head to look at him.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Not hiding. Just being busy and thinking."
"About?"
"Everything," he admitted, his voice low. "You. Ella. Kaid. The Shadow Clave. It feels like we’re balancing on the edge of something big, Zara. And I can’t let anything happen to you."
I reached up, cupping his face. "Nothing will happen to me, Snow. You’ve always kept me safe, and you always will."
His gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. "I don’t just want to keep you safe, Zara. I want to give you the life you deserve—peace, happiness, everything."
"You already do," I said softly. "I am happy and I have found peace with you." Snow shook his head.
"Not like this, Zara. Not when a psychopathic killer is hiding and waiting for an opportunity to kill you."
"I know. I know and I’ll be careful. You can have your guards follow me. And I have my brother’s warriors protecting me. I am willing to allow myself to be babied to help calm you guys."
You know," Snow began, "one of the reasons I love you is how you know just how to put my mind at ease and also stir it into endless worries, Zara."
My smile brightened as my fingers ran up and down his arms slowly. Snow leaned down and brushed his lips against mine before going in for a tender kiss that quickly deepened.
My fingers tangled in his hair as he held me close, pouring all his emotions into the kiss.
When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine. "Come inside with me," he murmured.
I laughed softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Charm me, huh? What’s the occasion?" freewebnσvel.cøm
He leaned down, his breath warm against my neck. "Do you remember," he began, his voice low and teasing, "the night we had our little... phone escapade?"
I froze, my eyes widening as heat rushed to my cheeks. "Snow," I hissed, clearly mortified.
He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the nape of my neck. "You do remember. Good."
His lips trailed slowly along my neck, pausing at the spot just beneath my ear. "I’ve been thinking about it ever since," he whispered, his voice sending a shiver down my spine.
"Snow," I whispered back as my thighs pressed together.
"Hmm?" he hummed, his lips brushing over my mark.
I couldn’t respond. Every kiss, and every touch sent sparks shooting through my body. My breathing quickened, and when his teeth grazed my mark, a soft whimper escaped me.
Snow’s hands slid down my arms, pulling me to my feet. He turned me to face him, his gaze heated as his hands settled on my hips.
"You drive me crazy," he murmured, capturing my lips in a searing kiss.
I melted into him, my hands gripping his shirt as he guided me toward the bed. The rest of the world faded away, leaving only us.
When we reached the bed, he laid me down gently, his body covering mine as his lips captured mine once more.
"I’ve been wanting you since that night, love and right now, I’ve got you right where I want."
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