I had no clue about the storm brewing back home. All I knew was that Jonathan's steady presence was stirring something new in me, something I couldn't quite name.
The villa's smart thermostat kept things toasty during the day, no matter how much I moved around. But at night, even under blankets, I felt restless, kicking them off in my sleep. After I coughed lightly in front of Jonathan one evening, he added a new ritual to his routine: tucking me in after finishing his work. His cool fingertips brushed away the heat on my skin, and I'd unconsciously lean into that relief, oblivious to how close I was getting.
One night, I woke mid-rub, my cheek pressed against his hand, cooling off like it was the most natural thing. Only then did I realize how weird it was.
Jonathan's cooking was unrea
