Her eyes flickered to him.
She focused on his heartbeat.
Steady.
Calm.
Maybe he was already asleep.
Swallowing hard, she climbed onto the bed, keeping as much distance as possible.
She grabbed an extra pillow and placed it firmly between them a barrier.
A line.
Then she turned her back to him, lying stiffly at the very edge of the bed, her body tense.
Minutes passed.
Slowly, her breathing began to steady.
Her racing thoughts quieted just a little.
Her body, exhausted, started to give in.
She inhaled deeply.
And for a brief moment
She relaxed.
But then
Her eyes snapped open.
She realized something.
The room…
It smelled like him.
And with him right beside her, that scent was stronger. Deeper.
Surrounding her.
Charlotte stared toward the window, where soft moonlight spilled into the room, casting a gentle glow across the space.
It was quiet.
Still.
And slowly…
Her eyelids grew heavy.
Her breathing softened.
Within moments
