Chapter 82

Valerie

The next day, I woke in Xavier’s arms.

He was warm as a hearth, his broad arms wrapping me like a blanket. I had only realized I was still naked when he began to stir and detach from me, and the cold invaded the heat where he had been.

Flushing, I quickly covered with the sheets before he woke.

It started with the flutter of his dark lashes. Then his eyes cracked open, taking in the golden dawn.

He groaned as he sat up, raking a large hand through his hair. Then he looked at me and his reality seemed to sink in. At first, I thought he would regret what had happened. He seemed confused and groggy. But once he remembered all that had happened, a fond smile found him and he leaned in and pressed his lips to my cheek.

The warmth that bloomed in my chest was like a sunrise. It cast everything in sparkling, beautiful gold. “You look lovely in the mornings,” he said into my ear. Then he found my lips and kissed me softly.

I melted into him, allowing every little touch to linge