Aria stirred, her cheek pressed against the warm, solid expanse of Zane’s chest. The rhythmic thrum of his heartbeat beneath her ear was a familiar lullaby, yet a jolt of confusion pierced the lingering haze of sleep. She remembered the suffocating weight of the night, the desperate need for air, the cool, hard floor of the balcony against her skin. How had she returned to this silken cocoon, nestled securely in his embrace? Her gaze drifted upward, tracing the strong line of his jaw, the dark stubble that shadowed his chin, the perfectly sculpted curve of his lips. He was a masterpiece, even in slumber, a vision of potent masculinity that had both captivated and terrified her.
“Why did you leave the bed at night?” Zane’s voice, a low rumble, vibrated through her, startling her. His eyes
