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Both of us are submerged underwater now. We're each other's only source of oxygen. Of life.

She looks at me with so much trust in her eyes. It makes me want to be the kind of man who's worthy of that trust. I want to be a man who's worthy of her.

"I've got you, baby," I say, kissing her temple. "I've got you."

Her eyelashes flutter close. The rush of emotion I feel when I'm with her is almost too much. She's unearthing everything buried inside me, and I'm not entirely sure if that's a good thing.

I've never felt this way before, but I can't deny how right it feels.

Every cell inside me is alive and buzzing with energy. This is the kind of high that cartels would kill to emulate.

I cup her cheek and caress her jaw with my thumb. She's a work of art. I've never experienced anything like her.

As I hold her, tears rush to her eyes.

"What's the matter?" I ask, pulling away in alarm. "Did I hurt you?"

She shakes her head. "No."

"What is it, then?" I ask.

"I'm scared, Klaus," she says. "You make me feel so much every time we're together. I don't know if I can handle it if you go back to treating me like I mean nothing to you. Promise me you won't act like we're just two strangers in the morning."

Seeing the pain in her eyes has a visceral effect on me.

All I know is that I never want to see her like this again. I would take a bullet for this girl. I wouldn't hesitate to die for her. And...I want her to know that.

"I'll promise you one thing," I say. "As long as I'm alive, nothing and nobody will ever touch you."

"That's not what I asked." She lays her sleepy head on my chest.

Tendrils of light form where her head makes contact with my skin. It glows brighter and brighter until I'm blinded by the light.

My heart feels like it's undergoing a renovation just to make space for this girl.

She falls asleep in my arms.

I need to rest too, but there are some things I need to do first.

I wait until she's fully asleep. I'm careful not to wake her as I slip out of the covers and head to my office.

Being a billionaire comes with its fair share of stress and pressure, but it definitely has some perks. I fire off a series of emails before going back to the bedroom.

By the time I wake up in the morning, a large number of problems will be dealt with.

I gather Emma into my arms again, marveling at how perfectly she fits against me.

It feels like I found the other half of me.

I understand now why people use words like “soulmate” and “twin flame” to describe the person they love. All the other words that exist feel too mortal to describe something this monumental.

Magic.

That could be the only explanation for how this girl ended up in my life.

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EMMA