Mae stirred first. Warmth surrounded her, deep, enveloping warmth that wasn’t just the blankets layered over her body. It wasn’t the type of heat that came from a fire or the rising sun. No, this was more intimate. Personal. Felt. The steady rhythm of breathing. The subtle brush of skin against skin. Her eyes blinked open slowly, heavy with sleep. Her lashes fluttered as her vision adjusted to the soft light filtering in through the windows of her room.
That’s when she realized, she wasn’t alone. A strong arm was tucked beneath her neck. Another was draped over her middle, resting protectively across her waist with a hand spread over her stomach like it had always belonged there. Her breath hitched. Her back was pressed flush to someone else’s chest. Solid. Warm. Steady. A heartbeat thudd
