Ava's POV
I woke up slowly, my body aching in ways I had never known before. The silk sheets clung to my skin, cool and smooth against the lingering heat that still hummed through my veins. Every muscle felt used, deliciously sore, a reminder of the hands, mouths, and bodies that had worshipped me for hours. My thighs trembled slightly as I shifted, and a soft gasp escaped my lips at the tenderness between them. God, what had I done?
The rose lay on the pillow beside me, its deep red petals still vibrant, its scent faint but intoxicating. I reached out and traced a finger along its stem, careful of the thorns. The note from last night was gone, but its words echoed in my mind: *We know you’re awake.* My stomach twisted with a confusing mix of fear and excitement. I should have felt sham
