Astrid woke up to a new morning, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. She stretched her arms above her head, letting out a contented sigh as she rolled onto her side.
Her mind began to wander, flashing back to the previous night's events.
She recalled how Julian had taken care of her, bathing her, dressing her, and feeding her. The memory of his gentle touch sent shivers down her spine.
As she recalled the way he had tenderly washed her hair, massaging her scalp with his strong fingers, she felt a flutter in her chest.
Astrid's eyes drifted shut as she relived the memory of Julian's care. She felt a sense of vulnerability, wondering how she had allowed him such intimate access to her body.
But as she thought about it, she realized that Julian had never taken advantage of her.
He had treated her with kindness and respect, never once making her feel uncomfortable or threatened aside when he was with Mattie.