Trickster

The next morning, Erin woke up to find herself still held in a pair of strong arms, her face pressed against the bare chest of a man. She could hear the faint, steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Memories of the night before came crashing back to her, and her face flushed red. She didn't dare move. Her heart raced at the thought of facing Lucian.

How should she react? What should she say? Everything had happened so suddenly.

"Are you awake?" she heard his deep, hoarse voice ask.

Erin froze, her body stiffening in response.

The soft flutter of her eyelashes against the skin of his chest betrayed let him know that she was awake.

His hand rested on her waist, gently caressing it, as he spoke again. "If you want, you can sleep a while longer. I have to get up."

Erin realized sunlight had filled the room—they had overslept. Finally, she responded, her voice soft. "I'm not sleepy."