I stirred awake, my body slowly rousing from the deep sleep that had claimed me. The softness of the bed beneath me felt unfamiliar, almost foreign, as if I’d been wrapped in luxury that I didn’t belong to. The sheets were cool and smooth against my skin, and for a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the comfort—just a moment of peace before reality crept back in.
But then I became aware of another presence. The bed dipped slightly beside me, the warmth of someone’s body radiating close by. My eyes fluttered open, and I blinked against the dim light filtering through the heavy curtains. My heart skipped a beat when I realized who was lying next to me.
Marshall.
He was propped up on one elbow, his eyes fixed on me. The intensity of his gaze was unnerving, a mixture of possessiveness and so
