CHAPTER 22: IVAN

I'm usually already awake by 5 a.m. to go about my day. It's like a default setting my body and mind has grown accustomed to. But when I awoke and saw that Lucia had gotten past the pillow she used as a barricade last night and her body was practically tangled with mine, I knew I couldn't push her away so I remained in bed for another hour. Plus, it's been a while since I was this close to a woman, and it felt so good to have her sprawled on my chest like that and in my arms. There's no way I'm letting her leave after today.

When the time reaches 6 a.m., I know I must get up before I impulsively decide to take the day off. I inhale her vanilla scent before getting up and going to the ensuite to start my morning routines.

When that is done, I dress in a three piece beige suit and style my hair. I have to be at work early today to begin my search for Lucia's ex, Alfred Curtis. There's a possibility that it might not be him, but at this point, I don't care. I'm not willing to gamble a