Leyla's heart was still racing, her body caught somewhere between wanting to push him away and wanting to stay lost in the moment forever. She cleared her throat, trying to regain control. "Why did you cancel the deal?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her words trembling in the space between them.
Ozan's lips curved into a slow, almost predatory grin, and he pulled her just a fraction closer, feeling the heat of her body against his. "Why? Because for the first time, I saw you smile like that," he murmured into her ear, his voice low, warm, and teasing. "It's not every day I get to see my bride this happy... I wasn't about to miss it for anything."
Leyla felt a shiver run down her spine, and despite herself, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth spread through her chest. Her breath caught again, and she slowly, deliberately, moved to pull away, but his hold on her didn't falter.
"Alright, alright," she muttered, trying to sound casual as her voice faltered under his touch. "Let go of me now."
But Ozan only chuckled, the sound rich and full of amusement, like he knew something she didn't. "Hmm, and why would I do that?" His hands slid around her waist, settling just below her ribs. He couldn't resist teasing her, watching how her breath hitched every time his fingers brushed her skin. "What's the rush? We're in the middle of something here."
She could feel the smile tugging at his lips even before he spoke again.
"Are you sure you want me to let go? Or do you need me to hold you a little longer, Leyla?" His voice was gentle, but the underlying challenge in it was clear.
She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at her lips despite herself. "You're impossible," she muttered, but there was a warmth to her words, a softness she couldn't hide.
And with that, Ozan leaned in even closer, his lips brushing the side of her neck, and the world outside their little bubble of space faded completely away.