CHAPTER NINE: SURREAL

ANNIKA'S POV

I usually doze off after making love with Caspian, but tonight, sleep seems to be avoiding me. I was staring blankly at the white ceiling, my mind so lost in my thoughts but aware of Caspian's gentle hands as he stroked my arm. I'm resting my head against his chest, listening to his erratic heartbeat.

A sense of familiarity hits my heart as I listen to his chest, rising and falling with every breath that he takes. It's a sound that makes me feel happy, content and at peace. And just thinking that I would wake up to this kind of familiarity in the next few months, makes me want to slow down time. It wasn't hard to admit…I knew then that the possibility of falling in love with him is high.

Before, I didn't try to look at him because I was afraid I'd mess up my job. I set a barrier between us…and yet, fate had other plans for me. However, along with realizing and admitting that I was helplessly falling in love with him, I am scared. Scared…because I know it's a losing game.