Iris awoke to the soft rays of early morning filtering through the blinds, casting a pale glow across the room. Her pulse quickened as memories from the previous night flooded back—Devin’s touch, his whispered words, the heady warmth that had enveloped them both. But now, with the daylight upon her, she felt a gnawing shame creeping in. Heart pounding, she slipped out of his bed as quietly as she could, hoping not to wake him. The last thing she wanted was a conversation she wasn’t ready for. Moving swiftly, she slipped back to her room, closing the door softly behind her.
What did I just do? she whispered to herself, sinking onto her bed and pressing her hands to her face. The weight of last night’s decision settled over her, feeling both intoxicating and utterly overwhelming.
She thoug
