The pale gold of early morning spilled through the bedroom curtains, painting Mack’s bare shoulders in a warm glow. Viola stirred beside him, tangled in sheets and his arms, her cheek resting against his chest. His steady heartbeat thudded beneath her ear, a comforting rhythm that made her want to stay there forever.
He shifted slightly, his hand brushing lazily along the curve of her hip.
"Morning, sweetheart," he murmured, voice still gravelly with sleep.
She smiled sleepily. "Morning."
Before she could curl back into him, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She groaned, reaching for it, only to see her editor’s name flashing across the screen.
"Give me a second," she whispered, sliding out of bed and tucking the sheet around her.
Mack’s gaze followed her, a slow smirk tugging at h
