(Aspen’s POV)
I woke up to warmth I didn’t recognize.
It took me a moment to realize what it was.
An arm.
For a second, I didn’t move. My body stayed perfectly still while my mind caught up. I wasn’t in my bed. I wasn’t in the guest house. I was outside.
By the pool.
And I was pressed against Slade Mercer.
His arm was around my waist, heavy and solid like it belonged there. His chest rose slowly against my back. His breathing was steady, like he wasn’t the one who should be panicking.
I was.
I stared at the dark sky that was turning pale and tried to think like a normal person.
Maybe I fell asleep out here. Maybe he did too. Maybe this was nothing.
Except it didn’t feel like nothing.
I slid my hand slowly to his forearm, careful, and tried to lift it away from me without waking
