*Lily*

Waking up in Adrian’s bed, I was immediately aware of his gaze upon me. My eyes fluttered open to meet his intense stare and a flush warmed my cheeks. For a fleeting second, I felt exposed and embarrassed, but his smile, soft and unexpected, eased the taut strings of my embarrassment.

"Good morning," he whispered, his voice a low murmur. His words were a gentle greeting, but they felt like a proclamation, solidifying the reality that I was here, in his ...