I feel something tickling my nose, and I attempt to swat it away, mumbling in protest. The sound of Xavier’s deep, rumbling laughter wakes me fully, and I groggily blink my eyes open, only to realize that I’m wrapped securely in his arms. My head is resting against his chest, rising and falling with each steady breath he takes, and our legs are tangled together beneath the duvet.

The warmth of his body seeps into mine, cocooning me in a comfort I never want to leave. My cheeks warm with a blush as flashes of last night’s memories rush back—his touch, his whispered words, the way he looked at me like I was his entire world. My heart flutters in my chest.