A soft creak of the front door woke her. Ava’s eyes opened slowly, still heavy with sleep, and the world was blurry, fuzzy around the edges. She blinked, and at first, she thought she was imagining it. But then she smelled him. That unmistakable scent. Alexander.Her chest seized. Her stomach dropped. She tried to sit up, but her limbs were too heavy, her brain still clouded from sleep. And then she felt him. Not really touching her yet, just near, a presence that made her heart hammer against her ribs like it wanted to escape.She stretched her arms instinctively, the blankets tangling around her, and felt the ghost of his touch.“Alex?” she murmured, voice hoarse.He crouched slightly, adjusting the duvet around her like she was fragile porcelain. One hand moved to tuck a strand of hair from her face, brushing it gently behind her ear. The faintest warmth, the softest motion. She inhaled sharply, heart in her throat, instinctively wrapping herself around him.“I… I’m here,” he said,
Last Updated : 2026-01-18 Read more