The morning sun slipped through the gauzy curtain of the cabin window, casting soft golden lines across Katherine’s bed. She stared at the ceiling for a long time, unmoving, her fingers still curled slightly where they had once clutched the fabric of Kingsley’s shirt the night before.
His lips.
His breath against her skin.
That kiss.
It had been slow. Heavy. So full of everything unsaid.
Katherine turned over, pressing her face into the pillow, her smile hidden but very present. Her heart was still thudding faintly as if trying to catch up with the night.
She didn’t regret it. That was the first surprising thing. She had expected to wake up full of doubt, anger, or embarrassment—but no. It was peace that coated her thoughts like a balm. The kiss had felt earned, not forced. Timed per
