Melody's POV
His lips had just left mine, but the memory still tingled across my skin.
I'd been dancing to blow off steam. Letting go of the frustration from the warehouse, the chaos of everything I'd been through lately. The music helped me forget I had enemies. It reminded me I still had control…over my body, my choices, my power.
But I hadn't expected Marvis to find me mid-dance.
And I definitely didn't expect him to kiss me like that.
My breath still felt uneven, but it wasn't from dancing anymore.
"You're staring," I said softly, resting my forehead against his chest.
"I like watching you dance," he murmured, arms still around my waist. "It's like… you're alive in a different way."
I smiled against his shirt. "It's the only time I don't feel like the world is spinning too fast."
He gently stepped back, just enough to look at me fully. "Then dance. I want to see more."
I raised a brow. "You're requesting a private performance now?"
Marvis leaned against the mirror, arms crossed, a soft smirk tugging at his lips. "Maybe. Can't help it. You've ruined every other kind of entertainment for me."
I rolled my eyes, but a small laugh escaped my throat. The tension from earlier had melted into something warmer, more playful.
"Alright," I said, walking to the speaker. "But only because I want to."
I replayed the track…Kehlani Remix by Jordan Adetunji again at that slowed 0.97x speed. The deep bass pulsed through the room like a heartbeat.
This time, I danced for me.
But I was aware of his eyes the whole time.
I let my hips sway to the rhythm, bending low into a smooth squat, rotating my waist in tight control, popping my knees just right. It wasn't about showing off. It was about being free. Powerful.
Alive.
I turned and caught Marvis watching from the mirror, his jaw clenched, his eyes locked on every movement like I was gravity itself.
He was completely still.
Until I looked him with a small smirk.
"Come dance with me," I said, breathless but bold.
He shook his head, chuckling. "I don't dance."
I stepped closer, teasing. "You don't fight with words, you don't sleep at night, and you definitely don't dance. What do you do?"
"I protect," he said quietly. "I watch. And right now…" His eyes swept over me again, slower this time. "I admire."
I stopped in front of him, close enough to hear the sharp hitch of his breath when I swayed one last time, leaning forward slightly.
"You're staring again."
He nodded once. "I know."
The song faded out, the last beat echoing in the room like a heartbeat winding down.
Silence took over.
Until Marvis reached out and gently grabbed my wrist.
"You're amazing," he said, voice low. "Do you know that?"
I tilted my head. "You've told me that before."
He stepped in closer. "And I'll say it again."
Before I could speak, he dipped his head, slowly, deliberately…and kissed me again.
Softer this time. Not urgent, not rushed.
Just… real.
I melted into it, arms wrapping around his neck.
He deepened it slightly, hand pressing against the small of my back, guiding me gently toward him like he was afraid I'd disappear again.
We stayed like that. Just the two of us. Music gone. Lights low.
He finally pulled away, brushing his thumb across my cheek.
"I don't know what we are," I whispered.
He rested his forehead against mine. "I don't care. As long as you're mine."
My heart beat wildly. Not from the dancing. Not from the kiss.
From the words.
Because for once, Marvis Harper didn't hide what he felt.
And neither did I.