The crackling of the fire had subsided, leaving only the soft hiss of embers glowing faintly in the dimly lit room. Annabelle shifted slightly, her head still resting on Derek’s shoulder. His breath was steady, his body tense yet undeniably present. She’d longed for moments like this—for his warmth, his closeness—but now that it was here, it wasn’t enough.
Her heart ached for something deeper, something more tangible.
Derek moved subtly, adjusting his posture, and the brush of his arm against hers sent a ripple of awareness through her. She glanced up at him, studying the sharp lines of his jaw, the set of his mouth. He looked untouchable, unreadable, and yet… the way his hand lingered just near hers, as though he was holding back, told her everything she needed to know.
But he wo
