Taunie woke slowly, the warmth of the blankets and the faint scent of pine and Tristan surrounding her. For a moment she drifted in that hazy space between dreaming and waking — until she felt the weight of someone’s gaze.
She blinked her eyes open.
Tristan was propped up on one elbow beside her, the early morning light brushing over his bare shoulders. He wasn’t just looking at her — he was studying her, smiling softly like he’d been waiting for her to wake up.
His voice was low, warm, still rough from sleep.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Taunie’s cheeks warmed instantly. “How long have you been staring at me?”
He shrugged, unashamed, his smile widening.
“Long enough to know I never want to wake up without you again.”
She felt the bond pulse gently between them — warm, steady, comf
