Aria’s POVAnd then, from the darkness, a tiny squirrel darted out from behind a pot of wild ferns, its bushy tail flicking indignantly as it scampered across the ledge.We stared at it for a second, then both burst out laughing.The tension melted away in waves, our laughter tangled with the sound of the wind. I leaned against him, trying to steady my breathing.He shook his head, still chuckling. “A squirrel,” he said. “We almost had a heart attack over a squirrel.”I giggled softly, wiping a tear that had escaped down my cheek. “Well, at least it wasn’t a spy.”He turned toward me again, the laughter fading into something softer, deeper. His hand came up to cup my face, thumb tracing my cheek.“Aria,” he whispered, and before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms. It felt firm, warm, and real.I sank into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine, and this time I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I was safe here.He buried his face in my hair, his voic
Last Updated : 2025-10-28 Read more