The golden rays of early morning filtered through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting soft shadows across the luxurious bedroom. Lexi stirred beneath the satin sheets, her body aching in a strangely satisfying way. The events of the previous night played through her mind like a forbidden song—heated, messy, impulsive, and unforgettable.
She blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. Julian lay beside her, still asleep, his chest rising and falling with an unbothered rhythm that annoyed and calmed her all at once. His presence was commanding even in sleep, and Lexi, tangled between desire and vengeance, couldn’t deny the way her pulse quickened just watching him.
Still, reality crept back in like an unwanted guest.
She shifted, drawing the blanket around her and sitting up. The
