The first thing I noticed was the light. It wasn't the gentle gray of dawn I was used to.
It was a sharp, golden slash cutting across the floor, a loud announcement that the day had started whether I was ready for it or not.
The second thing I noticed was the weight. An arm was thrown over my waist, heavy and warm, and a leg was tangled with mine. Darius.
My entire body went stiff. I could feel the solid warmth of him against my back, the soft puff of his breath against my neck.
For a moment, I just lay there, my heart hammering against my ribs, trying to pretend I was still asleep. It was a stupid, childish hope. I knew the moment I moved, he would know.
I tried to inch away, just a little, to reclaim some space, but the arm around me tightened, pulling me back against him.
He didn't wake up, not really. It was just a possessive reflex, like a dragon hoarding its gold.
"Stay," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
