As morning light filtered softly through the curtains, Maya stirred and tried to stretch, only to find herself encircled by Tay’s powerful arms, his warmth surrounding her like a protective shield. The moment she realized where she was, her cheeks flushed as a flood of memories from the night before rushed back to her, leaving her both breathless and blushing. She glanced over at him, finding him still, his eyes closed in the calm depths of sleep. Without the intensity of his usual gaze, she was free to take in the sharp, chiseled angles of his face, the high cheekbones, the slightly pointed ears, the full lips that held a promise of danger and desire.
The peace she felt laying beside him, the grounding sense of belonging, seemed almost surreal. She reached out hesitantly, fingertips bru
