The next morning.
The moment Rory opened her eyes, her breath caught.
All she could see was honey-toned skin, firm and sculpted, rising and falling slowly with each steady breath.
Her cheek was pressed against a solid, cool chest. Beneath her ear, a powerful, rhythmic heartbeat echoed.
"Female Master, you're awake."
Xarion's low, cool voice sounded above her head, instantly clearing the last traces of sleep from her mind.
"Xarion? Why are you here?"
Under the blanket, a long leg slid around hers—bare skin against bare skin, no fabric in between.
"I was waiting for you to wake up."
His voice carried the roughness of early morning, like silk brushed with sand.
Before she could react, he shifted, rolling over and pinning her beneath him. Silver hair spilled down like moonlight, brushing across her flushed cheeks.
