52

Zephyra's POV

My phone buzzes on my side table, waking me from my sleep. I blink drowsily at the time on my clock. It’s after midnight. Who on earth is calling at this time of night?

I pick it up and see Lirael’s name on the screen. “Hello?”

“Zephyra.” His deep voice sends a thrill through me, and I immediately perk up.

“Is everything okay? Are you back in New York? I thought I wouldn’t hear from you until tomorrow.”

“I wanted to see you. Can I come up?”

My pulse speeds up. “You’re here? Of course.”

I rush to the door and press the button. I look down at myself. Should I change into something sexier? At least this shirt doesn’t have a stain on it. Then I shrug. I’m too excited to see him to worry about changing into lingerie.

When the knock comes, I fling the door open and take him in. He’s wearing a button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up—one of the sexiest looks on a man—but as I smile up at him, it’s the dark shadows under his eyes that catch my attention.

I grab his arm and