I woke up slowly, the transition from sleep to reality cushioned by the familiar weight of a large hand draped over my waist. My ear was pressed against a broad chest, and I could hear the unmistakable, steady rhythm of a heartbeat beneath the skin. “Good morning, Mrs. Kingston.”Eric’s morning voice was raspy, vibrating through his chest and into my cheek. I was a bit startled by the sudden sound, my eyes snapping open to find the morning light filtering through the curtains.“Good morning, Mr. Kingston,” I replied, my voice thick with sleep. I tried to match his playfulness, a mock jest to hide the lingering anxiety from yesterday.Instead of getting up to face the day, Eric simply snuggled closer, burying his face in the crook of my neck. He felt heavy and warm, a solid anchor.“So, this is what it feels like to be unemployed, Mrs. Kingston,” he murmured against my skin. I could feel the ghost of a smile on his lips. “I think I am going to
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