Bella’s POV
For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t fall asleep afraid.
Wrapped in Nathan’s arms, I felt… still.
His warmth pressed against my back, the steady rise and fall of his chest behind me, grounding me. His hand rested gently at my waist so firm, protective, never wandering. He didn’t ask for anything, he just stayed.
And we lay down, no words.
.
I listened to the soft rhythm of his breathing, the occasional whisper of his thumb brushing against my side. I breathed in his scent cedar with a hint of musk and faint smoke, something uniquely him and let it calm the storm inside me.
I didn’t even realize I was drifting until the weight of sleep pulled me under like waves washing over sand.
For the first time in weeks… I slept, like real sleep. No nightmares , n
