The first thing I noticed was warmth.
Not the fire. Not the blanket.
Him.
Shi Yaozu's arm was draped across my waist, heavy and sure, his breath slow against the back of my neck. His chest rose and fell behind me in steady rhythm, like he was breathing me in with every inhale. His legs were tangled with mine, the scratchy blanket shoved down low on the bed and forgotten.
We were skin to skin.
And I felt everything.
The ache between my thighs. The pull in muscles I hadn't used that way before. The hum still singing low in my hips. His breath dancing over me, giving me goosebumps.
But mostly, I felt safe… like we were the only two people in the entire world. And I was fine with that.
I opened my eyes slowly.
