She awoke with a start.
Silk sheets. Golden light filtering through the tall windows. The quiet hum of birds beyond the glass.
But her heart still raced, the echo of the forest chase still pulsing in her veins.
She sat up slowly. He wasn’t in the room.
Good.
She pushed the heavy covers aside, standing barefoot on the cold marble floor. Her bruises from last night stung, her emotions a tight knot in her chest. But her eyes were sharp now. Focused.
She walked to the wall and pressed the call bell once. The staff would tell him. She knew they would. And sure enough—
The door opened five minutes later.
He stepped in, fresh from the shower, sleeves rolled up, hair damp, a smug curve to his lips. "Missed me already, wife?"
"Sit."
Her voice was low. Firm.
He stilled. That smirk twitche
