89. Athena
My eyelids shot open, the golden warmth of morning light seeping through the thick curtains. The scent of pine and musk enveloped me, grounding me instantly. For a heartbeat, I felt disoriented, but then reality washed over me—I wasn’t alone.
My cheek rested against a solid, steady surface, the rhythmic thump beneath it unmistakable. My breath hitched as realization dawned: I wasn't alone. I was lying in Lorenzo’s arms.
A rush of warmth flooded my chest, a mix of comfort and shy exhilaration. Slowly, I tilted my head upward, my gaze landing on his serene face. His eyes were closed, dark lashes—longer than mine, I noted with a hint of envy—resting against his sharp cheekbones. How could someone look so peaceful, so... beautiful, even in sleep?
I couldn’t resist drinking in e
