CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 209: REBUILDING IN LOVE’S QUIET GLOW

~Evric’s POV~

It had been a week and few days since Zayn and I had our heart-to-heart conversation, the brutal, necessary reckoning in the aftermath of the drug’s chaos. Looking back, I could say things had literally gotten better between us. The chasm of fear and resentment had been replaced by an open road of unfettered affection.

We talked about everything now; not just surface matters, but real, deep communication where I sought his opinion on business decisions, and he felt safe enough to share his worries without filtering them.

That partnership, that true sharing of advice, was what I had always craved. The biggest change, though, was in the bedroom. After following Evans’s implicit advice to prioritize care over consumption, things had settled into a beautiful equilibrium.

I was ecstatic because just a few nights ago, Zayn had asked for me himself. "I need you," he had whispered, his own desire overriding any past anxieties. I lived to hear those words. His initiation made the connection feel genuine and whole, validating that our love was indeed fixed.

Zayn himself had transformed. Where he used to speak in quiet, measured sentences, he was now chatty, clingy, and incredibly sweet. He was more open with his affections, often draping himself over me or touching my arm just for contact. I’m now finding myself fully indulging in his sweetness, becoming more attentive in return, savoring every moment of this renewed devotion.

I also made practical adjustments. Since Zayn has choosing not to spend all his time running his restaurant, I cut his work down drastically. Now he only goes in twice a week. Most days, if I wasn’t tied up with international calls, we stayed home, simply playing chess or watching films together. Lying there with his head resting on my shoulder, I knew I had chosen the right person to love. I was ready to spoil Zayn with everything I had because I loved him so fiercely, and he deserved nothing less than complete devotion.

Beyond the changes at home, Zayn finally decided to focus his ambitious energy on a new venture: his second restaurant branch. It wasn’t a renovation or a quick flip; he’s starting everything completely from scratch. He only officially broke ground three days ago, so it’s all raw construction right now, but the work has begun. He’s letting me handle the financial planning and the construction side of things, a massive sign of his trust, and I’m doing my best to support his vision completely.

While our personal life healed, the issues with the outside world persisted. Nicki has been locked up for four days now, just as Evans predicted. My brother intended to keep him there for two weeks, but Zayn, with his impossibly generous heart, wouldn’t allow it.

"He’s Nantam’s brother," Zayn had pleaded with me, concern overriding his own sense of self-preservation. He had begged Evans to reduce the detention to just one week. He even sent Nicki food through Nantam while he was inside. Yesterday, I drove him to the detention facility to check on Nicki once.

Zayn insisted that once Nicki is released, he wants to sit down and talk with him, believing that a direct conversation will make Nicki finally back off for good. His compassion never ceases to amaze me.

In addition to all the changes in our lives, we decided to expand our little family. A few days ago, we adopted a Cat and a Dog, a cute little duo that somehow already runs the house. The tiny tuxedo cat is sleek and sassy, and the golden retriever puppy is all boundless, clumsy energy.

We’ve been spending hours watching them chase each other around the living room, but we haven’t managed to agree on names yet. Every time I suggest something classic, Zayn comes back with something wildly imaginative.

The final piece of positive news broke this morning: the major project I went to Dubai to finalize is finally complete. Tomorrow, this young CEO—along with Vanya and the rest of the team who worked on it, will be all over the news. The official launch party is this weekend, in four days, and Zayn is coming with me.

But that is in four days. Right now, the only thing that matters is the present.

I reached out and took his hand, pulling him gently back toward the pillows. "Baby," I murmured, my voice deep.

"Yes?"

"Give me your mouth," I instructed, my eyes fixed on him, entirely consumed by him.

Zayn made a playful "Hmm" sound, pouting his lips before reaching down to pull my trousers open. I quickly guided him. "Suck my dick."

"Pay me," he countered, meeting my eyes with a mischievous glint.

I couldn’t help but smile. In the past, Zayn would never accept a penny from me, but now, if I wanted anything extra, anything outside the lines of our normal lovemaking, he demanded payment. It was cute, and honestly, I was happy to do it. It was a sign of his growing confidence and independence; at least he was finally letting me give him things.

"Okay, I will pay you," I chuckled. "How much this time?"

"A lot," he teased, his hand closing possessively around my hardening shaft. "I’m doing business with you, Evric. The amount you pay determines how long I last."

"Fine." I grabbed my phone from the bedside table and offered it to him. "Press the amount you want this time."

He grinned, the mischief melting into pure affection. "I want all your money," he declared.

"Take it," I urged.

He smiled, placed the phone back on the table, and leaned in, kissing me with startling intensity. I returned the kiss hard, pulling him closer. "God, I love you so much," I confessed.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes sparkling. "I love you more."

Then, he leaned down, and the familiar, incredible heat of his mouth wrapped around my erection. A deep, involuntary groan tore from my chest. That felt so overwhelmingly good, I could only manage a hoarse whisper. "My dick looks good in your mouth."

SPECIAL AUTHOR NOTE

The foundation is solid, the wounds have been addressed, and the laughter has returned. We are now about to pivot into the biggest developmental arc of Evric and Zayn’s relationship.

This next path will be a true test of their commitment. While it will be filled with the sweetness of their deep, settled love, with new projects, new homes, and new family members, it will also introduce challenges that are both profound and potentially devastating.

Be prepared. The stakes are about to get higher. This author will embrace both the beautiful high points and the difficult lows. We invite you to continue this journey, ready for whatever good or bad comes next.