The sun had begun its descent, along across the garden where Amara and Dapo lingered after another afternoon walk. The air smelled faintly of wet earth and jasmine, warm and heavy, carrying a tension neither of them could deny .
Amara heart beating faster than she cared to admit. Dapo's gaze was fixed on her, steady, intense, and filled with something deeper than longing but it was a claim.
"Why are you quiet hum?," she teased softly, walking slowly beside him.
I'm just… absorbing," he replied with voice low, his eyes locked on hers. "You… being here, laughing, alive it reminds me of everything I almost lost."
Her chest tightened at his words. "And now?" she asked, with a gentle voice but teasing.
Now?" he said , stepping closer to her, and looking straight to her eyes . "Now, I want to make sure you never feel like you can live without me again."
Amara's lips curved into a small, teasing smile. "That sounds… a little possessive."
He smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Good. You deserve a little
She laughed softly, leaning slightly closer, letting their shoulders touch more firmly. Her heartbeat raced not from anger, but from desire, from the pull she could no longer resist.
You really think I need reminding?" she whispered, her lips dangerously close to his ear.
"Maybe not," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. "But I like showing you. Every chance I get."
The magnetic pull between them was undeniable. Amara felt her pulse spike as he tilted his head slightly, letting his eyes roam her face, memorizing every curve, every expression, every emotion.
Dapo…" she called , turning to look at him fully.
"You know, you're really testing my
patience.""And you're enjoying it," he countered, voice husky, taking a step closer.
Amara lips curved into a soft smile. "Maybe a little. But only because I like seeing you jealous."
His eyes darkened slightly at the mention of jealousy, a flash of possessiveness sparking in his gaze. "Oh? Is that what this is?"
She nodded slowly, leaning just enough that their knees brushed.
"It's fun to see how protective you are. I almost feel… powerful."
Dapo's lips twitched into a grin. "Powerful, huh?" He reached out and brushed a thumb across the back of her hand, saying to her.
"Careful, Amara. I might just have to remind you who this heart really belongs to".
Her breath hitched, and her chest tightened. The intensity in his gaze, the closeness of his body, the warmth radiating from him—it was intoxicating.
"I'm not sure I can resist you," she whispered, almost breathless.
"Good," he said softly, stepping closer until their torsos almost touched. "Because I don't plan to let you."
They paused, caught in a suspended moment, the air around them was calm with desire and unspoken promises.
Amara's hand brushed lightly against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingers.
"Dapo…" she murmured, with a calm and gentle voice . "I… I don't want to rush."
"I know," he said, his voice gentle
now, full of tenderness. "We'll go as slowly as you want . But… I need to be close to you. Not just near you, but here." He pressed a finger gently to his chest, right over his heart.
Amara's lips parted slightly. She could feel the sincerity radiating from him, the depth of emotion he was finally willing to show. Slowly, she placed her hand over his chest feeling the warmth, the pulse, the life of him.
"I want this," she whispered. "You… us… I want to try again."
Dapo's eyes softened, a low, relieved breath escaping him.
"Then we'll do it together. Step by step. I'll be patient… as long as I have you."
Amara leaned into him slightly, letting her forehead rest against his. "You know… I think you're enjoying this jealousy thing too much."
"Maybe," he admitted with a small grin, brushing his nose against hers. "But only because I can't imagine sharing you with anyone else. Not now. Not ever."
Her heart raced as she felt the subtle shift in the air—the line between playful teasing and something deeper, more intimate, beginning to blur.
"Dapo…" she breathed, her lips brushing against his jaw lightly. "Just… promise me you won't rush anything. I need… time."
He tilted his head, letting her touch linger. "I promise. But I can't promise I won't show you how much I've missed this… missed you."
The confession sent a shiver down her spine. Their eyes locked, and for a long moment, neither moved, simply savoring the closeness, the
tension, the warmth.
And then, from the edge of the garden, the faint sound of laughter made them both turn slightly.
It was Tomi, approaching again with a mischievous grin.
"You two look cozy! Don't forget about me, you know."
Amara giggled softly, glancing at Dapo. She could see the fine tightening of his jaw, the way his eyes lingered on her a moment too long. A spark of jealousy—protective, possessive, and undeniably real.
Dapo's hand found hers again, holding it just a little tighter. "She's just a friend,"
Amara whispered.
"I know," he murmured, though the edge in his voice was unmistakable. "But I don't like watching her make you laugh like that."
She smiled, leaning into him slightly. "Good. Then maybe you should get used to a little jealousyit keeps things interesting."
His lips curved into a slow, teasing grin. "I can live with that… as long as I know you're mine."
Amara's chest warmed at the words, at the attention, at the quiet intensity that surrounded them. The air between them was thick, charged, and electric.
For the first time in months, she felt truly seen. Not just loved, but wanted—by a man who had made mistakes, but was now proving, every day, that he was hers.
And in that garden, under the calm afternoon sun, with the faint echo of laughter behind them, Amara and Dapo found themselves closer than ever, caught between teasing, desire, and the beginning of something unbreakable.