**Sunshine's POV**
The morning after our phone call, I woke up to his voice.
Not literally. But "Fracture" was playing through my speakers, and I could swear he was singing just for me.
My phone buzzed.
**Kael: Good morning. Can't stop thinking about last night.**
My heart stuttered.
**Me: Same.**
**Kael: See you at 9?**
**Me: I'll be there.**
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. *Calm down, Sunshine. Be professional. Don't let him see how desperate you are.*
But God, I was desperate.
---
At rehearsal, I kept my expression neutral. Clipboard in hand. Professional assistant.
While inside, I was falling apart.
Every time Kael moved—the way his body rolled through the choreography, muscles flexing under his shirt—I imagined those arms wrapped around me. Imagined my head against his chest, hearing his heartbeat.
"Sunshine, can you come here for a second?"
I walked over, keeping my face calm even though my pulse was racing.
"Can you hold this?" He handed me his jacket, and his fingers brushed mine.
That simple touch sent electricity straight through me.
"Sure," I said evenly.
But inside I was screaming: *Touch me again. Please.*
---
**Kael's POV**
She was so composed.
Too composed.
I could see it in her eyes though—that flicker of heat before she looked away. The way her breath caught when I got close.
She wanted this as much as I did.
But she was holding back. Being careful.
I needed to find a way to break through that control.
---
**Sunshine's POV**
By evening, most of the staff had gone home.
Kael asked me to stay—help him review the schedule for the week. But we both knew that wasn't the real reason.
We were alone in his dressing room.
He sat on the couch, reviewing something on his phone. I stood by the mirror, pretending to organize his schedule.
But really, I was watching him in the reflection.
The way he ran his hand through his hair. The concentration on his face. The curve of his neck.
I wanted to know what his skin tasted like.
"Sunshine?"
I jumped. "Yes?"
"Come sit. You don't have to stand over there."
I walked over slowly and sat beside him. Not too close. Professional distance.
But I could smell his cologne. Cedar and something warm.
"You've been quiet today," he said, setting his phone down.
"Just focused on work."
"Is that all?"
I looked at him. Those dark eyes studying me.
"What else would it be?"
He leaned back, arm stretched across the back of the couch. Not touching me, but close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him.
"I don't know. You tell me."
---
**Kael's POV**
She was nervous.
I could see it in the way she kept her hands folded in her lap. The way she wouldn't quite meet my eyes.
"How are you sleeping?" I asked.
"Fine. Why?"
"Just wondering." I studied her. "You said you've been dreaming about me for a year."
Her face flushed. "I... yes."
"What do you dream about?"
"Kael—"
"I'm curious." I shifted slightly closer. "Tell me."
---
**Sunshine's POV**
My mouth went dry.
"I don't think—"
"Please."
That word. Soft. Almost vulnerable.
I took a breath. "I dream about... your music. Listening to it while falling asleep."
"And?"
"And sometimes..." I couldn't believe I was saying this. "Sometimes I imagine what it would be like. To be close to you. Not the idol version. The real you."
"Close how?"
My heart was pounding. "Your arms around me. My head on your chest. Feeling safe."
His eyes darkened.
"What else?"
"That's... that's all."
"Liar."
I looked at him, startled.
He leaned forward, his face inches from mine. "What else do you dream about, Sunshine?"
"I..." The words caught in my throat. "I dream about you touching me. Holding me. I dream about—"
And then his lips were on mine.
No warning. No asking permission.
Just his mouth crashing into mine like he'd been holding back for weeks and finally snapped.
---
**Sunshine's POV**
Shock hit me first.
Then cold—like ice water down my spine.
Then heat.
*Oh God, the heat.*
His hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me closer, and I felt it—that deep, aching warmth spreading through me, pooling low in my belly. My entire body lit up like he'd struck a match against my skin.
I should push him away. We were at work. This was unprofessional. This was—
But I didn't push.
Instead, I kissed him back.
My hands found his chest—solid, warm, real—and I gave in completely.
---
**Kael's POV**
She tasted like something I'd been craving my entire life.
Sweet. Perfect. Mine.
I pulled her closer, and she came willingly, making a small sound against my mouth that drove me completely insane.
Her hands were on my chest, tentative at first, then bolder, sliding up to my shoulders.
I deepened the kiss, and she opened for me, letting me in.
God. This was better than any dream.
---
**Sunshine's POV**
His tongue touched mine and I gasped.
He swallowed the sound, one hand still in my hair, the other moving to my waist, pulling me closer until I was practically in his lap.
I should stop this. We should talk. This was moving too fast.
But I couldn't stop.
Didn't want to stop.
Because this—his hands on me, his mouth on mine—this was everything I had been dreaming about for over a year.
---
**Kael's POV**
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
Her lips were swollen. Her eyes were dark and dazed.
Beautiful.
"I couldn't hold back anymore," I whispered.
"Don't apologize."
"Tell me you feel it too. Tell me I'm not insane."
"You're not insane." Tears filled her eyes. "I love you too. God, I love you so much."
I kissed her again. Softer this time. Tender.
"Say it again," I whispered against her lips.
"I love you."
"Again."
"I love you, Kael Devereaux."
I smiled against her mouth. "That never gets old."
---
**Sunshine's POV**
We stayed on that couch for an hour.
Kissing. Talking. Kissing more.
His hands stayed respectful—on my waist, my back, my face. But the way he kissed me—like he was memorizing the taste of me—that was everything.
"This weekend," he said. "Let me take you somewhere. Just us."
"Like where?"
"Somewhere private. Away from all of this."
"Yes."
He grinned—that real, genuine smile—and kissed me one more time.
---
**Kael's POV**
Saturday night, I picked her up in a private car.
We drove to a beach house I'd rented—secluded, just the sound of the ocean and the night.
We ate dinner on the deck. Stars scattered above. Waves crashing below.
After dinner, we walked along the beach. Her hand in mine.
"Tell me more of your dreams," I said.
She stopped walking, facing the ocean. "I used to listen to 'Fracture' on repeat. And I'd imagine you singing it just for me. In some quiet room where no one else existed."
I turned her to face me. "Sing it with me now."
"What?"
I started singing softly—the opening lines of "Fracture."
Her eyes widened. Then she joined in, hesitant at first, then stronger.
We sang together on that empty beach, her voice blending with mine. And it was the most perfect moment of my life.
---
**Sunshine's POV**
When the song ended, we just stood there.
Ocean behind us. Stars above us.
"I love you," he said. "This isn't just attraction. I love who you are. The way you see me. The way you make me want to be better."
Tears slid down my cheeks.
"I've loved you since that first day when you tried to scare me away," I whispered.
"I was protecting myself."
"And I saw right through it." I touched his face. "You saved me too, you know."
"We saved each other."
He kissed me then—slow and deep and full of promise.
---
**Kael's POV**
We ended up lying in the sand.
Her head on my chest—exactly like she'd dreamed about. My arms wrapped around her, holding her close.
"Is this how you imagined it?" I asked.
"Better." She traced patterns on my shirt. "In my dreams, I was always afraid to touch you. Like you'd disappear."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She tilted her head up and I kissed her forehead, her nose, her lips.
At her apartment, I walked her to the door.
"I'll see you Monday?" she asked.
"Monday." I kissed her one last time. "I love you."
She smiled. "I love you more."
I texted her the moment I got back to the car.
**Me: I miss you already.**
**Her: I miss you too.**
**Me: I love you.**
**Her: I love you more.**
**Me: Impossible.**
We texted until we both fell asleep.
And for the first time in years, I slept through the entire night.
No nightmares. No anxiety.
Just peace.
---
**END OF CHAPTER 10**