The sun had yet to rise when Althea stirred on the bed. She slowly opened her eyes, only to realize she was tightly wrapped in Gavriel’s embrace. One of his arms was draped possessively around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.

Both of them were still bare beneath the blanket after the passionate night they had shared. The thick covers were the only thing shielding them from the cool morning air, yet neither of them felt the chill.

Their bodies were pressed close, skin against ...