ISABELLA
I woke up slowly, cocooned in warmth and the steady rhythm of another heartbeat. Rafael’s arm was locked firmly around my waist, his broad chest pressed against my back in a tight spooning position. One of his legs was tangled with mine, his breath warm and even against the nape of my neck. The scent of him surrounded me completely.
For one disorienting second, it felt… safe. Then reality crashed back in. I tried to slip out of his grip carefully, inching towards the edge of the bed. His arm tightened instantly, pulling me back against him with effortless strength.
“Go back to sleep,” he murmured, voice rough and low with sleep, lips brushing my ear.
My heart stuttered.
“I… I can’t. I don’t want to be late for work.”
He groaned a deep, lazy, almost boyish sound that vibrat
