When I awoke, I realized neither of us had moved an inch. I was still pressed against Derek’s body, and my head was still tucked under his chin. He slept soundly with his strong arms wrapped around me. The light in the room had taken on a yellowish hue, and I knew it was much later in the day. We had been asleep for several hours.

I slowly shifted so I could turn my face up to look at his without waking him and studied his handsome features. The skin on my face was damp where it had been touching his neck, and the air felt cool on it when I pulled away. His face was completely relaxed as he slumbered, his lips were slightly parted, and his breathing was deep, slow, and even. I stared at his lips, imagining them on mine, making my heart flutter.