Alex's P.O.V.

Fuck! I can't take out the image of Stella sitting on the kitchen counter, completely naked, splaying her legs for me.

It was such a hot sight.

Today, I finally let Stella see how controlling I can be—how much I love to dominate women during sexual encounters. The way she responded and how wet she was, it clearly seemed that she enjoyed being in my control as well.

Damn! Stella is driving me crazy. I'm dying to claim her as mine. But I'm still stopping myself because I'm scared. What if Stella regrets this in the future?

Although we have already crossed the line, something inside me keeps holding back. Maybe it's the guilt, the nagging voice in my head telling me this is wrong. Or maybe it's the fear of losing Stella. She's not just another woman to me—she's everything. And if she regrets this, if she sees what we're doing as a mistake, I don't think I could handle it.

"Alex..." As Stella places his hand on my arm, I jolt back to reality. She sits beside me at the breakfast counter and we're having the food which we ordered. Because I couldn't let her cook after exhausting her.

As I drift my eyes to her, she asks, "Where were you lost? You haven't even touched your food." She glances down at my untouched plate.

"Stella, I'm thinking about us," I respond, picking up my fork and stabbing at the eggs.

"What?" She raises her brows at me.

"I'm scared that whatever is happening between us, you'll regret it in the future. You only want a distraction right now from the betrayal, from the pain." Running a hand through my hair, I say, frustrated with myself. "I just... I don't want to be something you regret. And I don't want to be a mistake and the person you hate me."

"Alex, I seriously wanted you just to distract me from the pain when I came to you last night. But after sleeping in your arms, I realised it's more than that. I feel so safe with you." She places her hand on mine, fixing her eyes filled with honesty on me. "You're not a mistake to me. I don't know what the future holds, but right now, I need you. Not just for comfort or to forget what happened with Jade, but because I want you. I've wanted you since... I don't even know when."

I want to believe her—God; I want to—but part of me still wonders if this is just temporary, if she'll wake up one day and regret every moment we've shared.

Setting my fork down, I lean in closer to her, my voice low. "I don't want to hurt you, Stella. I don't want this to end with you hating me, thinking I took advantage of you—"

Suddenly, she shushes me by capturing my lips, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. After giving me a quick kiss, framing my face with her hands, she whispers against my lips, "Now, whenever you say that you're taking advantage of me, I'll shut you up like this. Understand?"

A smile spreads across my face as I nod. "You're so... I really don't have words. You drive me crazy, Flower."

She chuckles. "It's just the beginning, Alex Blackwood. Now stop worrying about the future and enjoy the present moment."

Before I can respond to her, my phone rings in my pocket. I take it out and glance at the caller ID. It's Sky. I quickly swipe to answer.

"What happened to you, Alex?" Sky's voice comes through the other end, laced with concern. "We've got a match in two days, and you're missing practice."

Match! Damn! I completely forgot about it.

"I'll reach in an hour. Bye," I reply, cutting the call short before he can launch into a rant about my absence. I can't imagine how he'll react after knowing what's going on between me and Stella.

Will he think I'm doing wrong? Or will he understand me? Nobody's opinion matters to me except Sky.

Fuck! Why am I overthinking about everything lately?

"What happened?" Stella's words again pull me back to the earth.

As I gaze into her eyes, my serious expression falters. "I must leave for college match practice. Our upcoming match, I completely forgot about it." With a chuckle, I add, "You're quite the distraction."

"I'm so sorry because of me—" Before she can complete her sentence, I place my finger on her lips.

"Don't be sorry. You need me. And I don't regret being with you. You're important to me, Stella." I admit, locking my eyes with hers.

She hugs me, resting her head on my chest. "I'm so glad you're with me, Alex."

"Always." I peck her head, holding her close to me. Every time I embrace Stella, I feel like I have the entire world wrapped in my arms.

***

I wait for Stella, leaning against my car. We have to leave for college. I wanted to spend the entire day with her, making her happy. But match practice is also important. I can't lose it. I haven't practised properly for so many days.

Stella emerges from the house, flashing a dimple, her hair cascading around her shoulders. She looks so beautiful in a simple white top and blue denim jeans that I can't take my eyes off her. It's hard to focus on anything else when she's around.

As she reaches in front of me, I slip my hands into the back pockets of her jeans and pull her towards me. "How do you manage to look so pretty every time?" I ask, raising my brows.

She wraps her arms around my neck. "A month ago, I was really annoying, remember?"

"Because I was rude as fuck." I roll my eyes, recalling my first encounter with her. She just asked for the tour and I...

God! What was I thinking?

"I still can't believe how you changed so much all of a sudden. How did you go from Mr Grumpy to Mr NMG?"

"The reason is you." I softly kiss her lips, pulling her closer, my hands still inside her jeans pockets. She responds, running her hands through my hair.

"Now, no more questions. We need to leave for college or else Sky will kill me." I withdraw my hands from the pockets and pull away.

"When will your match practice get over?" She questions, wearing the seatbelt as we settle inside the car.

"I don't know. But I'll text you as soon as it gets over." I respond to her before driving off.

***

"Just give me a call if you feel anxious or something." After stopping the car in the parking lot of the college, I turn towards Stella and instruct her.

She looks fine since this morning, but I can't stop myself from still worrying about her. Because it's been just a week when she faced the betrayal from Jade, and I know wounds like that don't heal overnight. Stella is strong, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to protect her from any more pain.

"I'm fine now. Don't worry." She places her hand on my face and reassures me. "And I'm not alone. Zoe and Selena are with me."

"Still promise me you will call me."

"I promise." She looks around, making sure no one is in the parking area before sealing her lips with mine for a lingering kiss. "Alex Blackwood! I never thought you would care about me this much."

"Neither. I thought I would ever feel something like this for a woman." I brush a thumb along her jawline. "But here we are, and I can't seem to stop myself from caring, from worrying, from wanting to make sure you're always okay."

She locks her eyes with mine and for a moment, it's as if everything else fades away—college, the match, our complicated relationship. It's just her and me, locked in this bubble of warmth that I never want to pop.

"You're going to be late for your practice," she reminds me, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Go, before Sky actually kills you."

I chuckle, though I can't bring myself to pull away just yet. What magic spell is she doing? "I'll see you after practice. And remember, call me if you need anything."

She rolls her eyes but laughs. "Yes, yes, I know. Now go."