The days began to blur together as kleia and we fell into an unspoken rhythm. Though she still resented him for taking her, their conversations became longer and the tension between them grew more complicated.
One evening , kleia set in the library of the estate, flipping through a book to distract herself. The required room was filled with leather bound books and the warm lights from the fireplace made it almost cozy.
Vito entered , his presence commanding as always. She glanced up, but didn't say anything, determined to keep her guard up.
" I thought you'd like this place" he said, his voice, slow and smooth.
" it's fine" Kleia replied curtly, not looking at him.
Approached her slowly , stopping a few feet away. " you're not angry as you used to be." he observed.
" does that surprise you." She asked, closing the book and meeting his gaze.
"Yea" he admitted. " you're stubborn. I didn't think you'd give me even this much."
" I haven't given you anything" she shot back, standing up. " don't mistake my tolerance for acceptance."
Vito smirked , but there was no malice in it. " fair enough."
As kleia tried to step past him, Fito reached out and gently caught her wrist. "Wait"
Her heart kept the beat as she looked up at him . His blue eyes were locked on her and for moment, the air between them seem to crackle with electricity.
" let go" she said softly, through her voice left conviction.
Instead of releasing her , Vito took a step closer, his grip gentle but firm. " tell me you don't feel it too." He murmured.
" This" he said, his hand brushing strand of hair from her face. " this pull between us. Tell me is just my imagination."
Kleia's breath hitched, and for a moment she was frozen in place. She hated how her body reacted to him, how her heart raced and her skin tangled his touch.
" I can't" she admitted finally, her voice trembling.
Vito's eyes darkens, and before she could say anything, he leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn't what she expected . His lips were gentle, his touch careful, as if he was afraid she might push him away for a moment she considered just doing that.
But then , against all logic, she kissed him back.
