Chapter 12
Nathan's POV
It had been more than an hour.
Time had passed without notice.
The sky had changed, softer now, the light warmer as it filtered through the windows and rested gently on Zane's face.
He was still sitting.
Still.
Patient.
My gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before the brush was finally lowered.
"I'm done," I said.
He stood up slowly, stretching slightly before walking toward me.
Each step felt louder than it should have.
Closer.
Too close.
He bent slightly, his attention shifting to the canvas.
But the distance between us—
it was gone.
I could see everything.
The curve of his cheek.
The softness in his eyes.
His lips.
He smelled faintly of lavender.
"This is good… wow, I'm impressed," he said.
My fingers tightened around the brush.
His gaze moved across the painting carefully, studying every detail.
"You think so?"
My voice came out quieter than intended.
He turned his head.
Now we were facing each other.
Too close.
"I know so."
His voice had dipped slightly.
"You captured me."
My breath slowed.
His eyes dropped.
To my lips.
A subtle movement followed—his tongue brushing against his lips lightly.
My chest tightened.
I exhaled without realizing it.
His gaze lifted again, meeting mine.
There was a question there.
Unspoken.
But clear.
My body stilled.
No movement was made.
No distance was created.
Zane leaned in slowly.
Carefully.
Like he was giving me time.
Time to stop him.
Time to move away.
But I didn't.
My breath caught as the distance disappeared—
just a fraction left—
then—
the door opened.
The sound cut through everything.
We both turned.
A woman had walked in.
She looked like a staff.
"Sorry."
Silence filled the room.
Zane stood up.
I stood up as well.
The lady left quickly.
But the moment—
it was already gone.
-----
Nathan's POV
The gallery had been left behind.
The air outside had felt lighter.
Quieter.
For a while, it had almost been forgotten—everything.
We had ended up at the skating rink.
It was nearly empty.
Only a few staff remained, their presence distant, barely noticeable.
It felt like the entire place had been given to us alone.
Zane had insisted.
"Come on, it'll be fun."
And somehow—
I had agreed.
The sound of wheels against the floor echoed softly as we moved.
At first, there had been hesitation.
But then laughter had come.
Unexpected.
Uncontrolled.
For a moment—
I had let my guard down.
Simple.
Like nothing else existed.
Zane skated ahead, turning slightly to face me.
"Careful," I said, a small smile forming.
"Relax, I've got—"
His words were cut short.
His balance was lost.
And the next second—
he fell.
A sharp sound echoed as he hit the ground.
"Zane—"
I moved without thinking, quickly closing the distance.
"Are you okay?"
A hand was reached out instinctively.
He laughed.
"I'm fine."
There was no pain in his voice.
Just amusement.
Relief settled slightly in my chest.
"Here—"
I bent down a little more, reaching for him.
"Let me help you up."
But instead of taking my hand—
his gaze shifted.
To my face.
It lingered.
Longer than it should have.
Something in my chest tightened.
"You have beautiful eyes," he said quietly.
The words caught me off guard.
A small smile formed despite everything.
"Come on," I said softly, trying to steady the moment.
"Let's get you up."
My hand moved again.
But before balance could be regained—
his grip shifted.
And suddenly—
we fell.
This time together.
A soft thud followed as my back hit the floor.
A breath was knocked out of me slightly.
Zane was above me.
Close.
Too close.
He didn't move immediately.
Neither did I.
Time slowed.
His expression had changed.
No laughter now.
Just something… deeper.
"I…"
His voice faltered slightly.
A small breath left him.
"I really like you."
My heart skipped.
"I have… since the first time I saw you."
His gaze didn't leave mine.
"You were… shining."
A soft laugh escaped him, almost embarrassed.
"I couldn't look away."
My chest tightened.
Every word landed heavier than the last.
"Since that day…"
He paused, his voice quieter now.
"You've been on my mind."
My fingers curled slightly against the floor.
"The way you walk… the way you talk… your smile…"
Another pause.
Closer now.
"I want to be the reason behind that smile."
Silence followed.
But it wasn't empty.
It was full.
Overwhelming.
I couldn't move.
Couldn't think.
No one had ever said something like this to me before.
Not like this.
Not so… sweet.
His breath brushed against my skin.
Warm.
Close.
"Can... I kiss you?"
The question was soft.
Careful.
Like he was afraid of the answer.
My heart pounded harder.
"Never let him touch you."
Kieran's voice echoed.
Loud.
Sharp.
My chest tightened painfully.
This is wrong.
The thought came immediately.
But—
Zane was still there.
Waiting.
Not forcing.
Not taking.
Just asking.
My lips parted slightly.
A breath was taken.
And somehow—
my head moved.
A nod.
Small.
But enough.
He leaned in slowly.
Giving me time.
Time to stop it.
Time to change my mind.
But I didn't.
When our lips met—
everything stilled.
It was soft.
Careful.
Nothing like before.
No force.
No control.
Just warmth.
Just feeling.
And for a moment—
I responded.
My hand moved slightly, gripping his shirt.
Pulling him closer.
The kiss deepened just a little.
Not rushed.
Not desperate.
But real.
Too real.
Then—
my chest tightened.
My fingers stiffened.
The warmth faded slightly.
Reality rushed back in.
I pulled away.
Breathing uneven.
Silence fell between us.
Zane didn't move immediately.
His eyes searched mine.
Hopeful.
Careful.
"I—"
He stopped.
Like he didn't want to push.
I sat up slowly.
Avoiding his gaze.
My heart was still racing.
But not in the same way.
"I…"
The words felt stuck.
Heavy.
Confused.
"I don't know what I'm doing."
I said quietly.
Almost to myself.
Zane watched me.
Something in his expression softened.
Not hurt.
Just… understanding.
"We don't have to rush," he said gently.
My chest tightened again.
Because that—
that made it worse.
I nodded.
But it didn't feel like agreement.
It felt like delay.
Like something unavoidable had just been pushed forward.
My hand dropped to my side.
The phone rang.
Not mine.
Zane's.
The sound cut through the silence between us.
Sharp.
Unexpected.
Zane glanced at it briefly.
Then answered.
"Hey, K."
My heart dropped instantly.
I knew it was him.
Zane sat up slightly, running a hand through his hair.
"Yeah… I'm still out."
A pause.
His tone was still casual.
"Just hanging out."
Another pause.
His brows furrowed slightly.
"What do you mean?"
My chest tightened.
I couldn't hear the other end.
But I didn't need to.
Zane's expression shifted.
Just slightly.
Like something didn't sit right.
"Yeah, I'm a little busy."
A pause.
Longer this time.
Then—
his eyes flickered toward me.
Only for a second.
But it was enough.
"Yeah… I'm with him."
My breath hitched.
There was silence again.
Heavy.
Zane let out a small laugh.
But it didn't sound natural.
"Since when do you care?"
Another pause.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Relax. I've got it."
Got it?
My fingers curled slightly.
Zane stood up slowly, turning away a little.
Lowering his voice.
"Yeah… I'll handle it."
Handle what?
A few seconds passed.
Then—
"Alright."
The call ended.
Silence followed.
Thick.
Uncomfortable.
Zane didn't turn back immediately.
When he finally did—
his expression had changed.
Not completely.
But enough.
"What was that?" I asked before I could stop myself.
He hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then smiled.
"Nothing."
The word didn't sit right.
"It's just Kieran."
Just.
My chest tightened.
"What did he want?"
A pause.
Then—
"He asked where I was."
My stomach dropped.
"And?"
Zane looked at me.
There was something in his eyes now.
Something unreadable.
"I told him... I was busy."
Silence fell again.
But this time—
it felt different.
He was already here.
I could feel Kieran presence.
Even without being present.