55. Cassie

The only other time I slept in Ayr’s bed, I woke up alone, whilst he tried to leave quietly. Last night, we showered together and fell into bed, where he instantly fell asleep. I’d spent a few minutes fighting my own exhaustion to stare at his face. To try and make sense of the past few hours.

He looks younger when all the tension leaves his features. Still perfection, carved cheekbones, and handsome, smooth features. He doesn't look boyish, but the stress that makes his eyes narrower has gone. Mindlink face, the one that leaves me dreading his next words, has no place on these pillows.

I stroked some of the longer blonde locks out of his eyeline and checked the still-red cut across his forehead. Ayr snuggled in deeper to the pillow, and my heart melted.

I don’t know what I’m fighting against anymore. Maybe just myself, the cowardly version of me. The woman expecting betrayal to the point I can’t allow love into my world?

Taking a deep breath, I snuggle closer to him. Stroking his ch