Tessa
I woke up slowly, the way one does when sleep has been kind but the heart is still unsettled. For a few seconds, I forgot where I was. The curtains were half-drawn, letting in soft morning light that painted the room in pale gold. The quiet was gentle, not heavy like before.
Then I felt it.
An arm around my waist.
I stiffened instinctively, then relaxed just as quickly when memory rushed back, last night, Robert's voice, the kiss, the way he stayed. My body shifted slightly, and his hold tightened, not possessive, just… reassuring, like he was anchoring me there.
I turned carefully to face him.
He was asleep, his features softer than I had ever seen them. Without the guarded expression he usually wore, he looked almost vulnerable. His lashes rested against his cheeks, and a faint crease sat between his brows, as though even sleep couldn't fully free him of worry.
I watched him longer than I should have.
