Alina woke slowly, her eyes fluttering open as the soft morning light spread across the room like warm silk. For a moment she didn't even remember where she was, only that something warm and steady rested beneath her cheek, and a quiet rhythm pulsed under her palm.
Then she lifted her head slightly and saw Dante.
He was already awake, lying on his side with one arm behind his head, watching her with the kind of soft, unreadable warmth that made her entire body heat up. His crimson eyes held a lazy tenderness, like he had been awake for a while and simply didn't want to disturb her.
"Good morning," he murmured, voice low and rich from sleep. He leaned in without thinking, lips nearing hers with a slow, confident ease that made her heart jump in panic and delight.
But Alina gasped softly, her eyes widening as she quickly pressed both hands against his chest to stop him.
"I haven't brushed yet!"she blurted, face turning the deepest shade of pink.
