Chapter 19

Ryle's arms are still around me. I'm like tightly sealed in his embrace. I can't explain it, but this is like a haven to me, his touch. I feel safe and my mind feels freer when I'm in his arms. The warmth he gives off is inexplicably giving me life. His presence gets me the feelings I didn't see I'd get from him. This includes the urge to be just by him when I'm alone. I've fought that feeling in the past few days, but now I've finally given in to it. I've broken through that isolated room. I'm finally more than fifty percent sure I'm enjoying his company.

His face is still on my shoulder, his stubble casually satisfyingly poking my skin. We're backlit, accenting his facial features. This is the closest I've gotten beside him, excluding when he's kissing me. His hair and brows are healthily thick and all pitch-dark. He's gotten a Roman nose shape and its base is straighter than my future. His lips are small, heart-shaped, and handsomely pinkish. His limestone skin color is