The soft glow of fairy lights strung above Rayla’s bed cast delicate shadows across the walls, painting the room in warm gold and blue. The scent of lavender from her pillow mixed with the faint musk of Asher’s skin as he lay beside her, his fingers tracing idle patterns along her bare arm.
She had been quiet all evening, ever since they'd left the café. Too quiet. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but heavy with unspoken questions that weighed down the air like humidity before a storm.
Asher turned onto his side, the mattress dipping beneath his weight as he propped his head up with one hand. His golden eyes searched hers in the dim light, reflecting the fairy lights like twin crescent moons. "You're thinking too loud," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that vibrated thr
