Chapter 23 —You're a delicious contradiction

Narrator:

Aylin was still breathing heavily, lying on her bed with Roman beside her, his firm hand sliding slowly down her bare back, as if he wanted to memorize every inch of her skin, as if engraving it with his fingers could stop time. The silence was thick, barely broken by their ragged breathing, mixed with the warmth that lingered after their desire had been sated. Roman had his head resting against the pillow and his gaze fixed on the ceiling, as if looking for excuses not to get up.

“I don't want to leave,” he murmured, almost as if talking to himself, but his voice enveloped her like a forbidden whisper. Aylin glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her pulse racing again, though now for different reasons. She sat up gently, wrapping herself in the sheet, without losing her composure.

“You must, Mr. Adler.”

Roman turned his face toward her, arching an eyebrow.

“Again with that?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “Because I n