ARIA
I woke to soreness. The kind I hadn't felt in a while.
Every muscle in my body ached in the most telling way, a reminder of just how thoroughly Kael had claimed me the night before.
Multiple times.
I shifted slightly and winced, feeling the evidence of our hours together in places I'd probably be feeling for days.
But I couldn't bring myself to regret it.
Not when I turned my head and saw him beside me.
Kael was asleep, his face relaxed in a way I rarely got to see. The harsh lines that usually defined his features were softened. His dark hair was messy, falling across his forehead. His chest rose and fell with deep, steady breaths.
He looked peaceful.
Beautiful.
This was the man who'd fucked me into half-consciousness last night. Who'd made me come so many times I'd lost count. Who'd held me afterward like I was the most precious thing in the world.
I felt awfully happy.
Genuinely, bone-deep happy in a way I hadn't felt in... maybe ever.
