Brian’s face changed, and his stiffened heart finally softened. He turned and picked her up and put her on the bed.
As if exhausted, she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.
...
The next morning, Alessa awoke to find herself cradled in his warm arms. She opened her eyes wide, stunned for a moment, and then she remembered what she did last night.
Brian was lying next to her, holding her all night long.
He was so tired last night that he didn’t wake up now. His eyes closed and the hard line of his face was much softer.
Alessa breathed a long sigh of relief. It seemed that her behavior last night had softened his heart at last.
The first step worked.
She gently released herself from his arms, but accidentally knocked him awake.
Brian didn’t open his eyes. He locked her tightly in hi
