The conservatory had grown cooler as night settled fully over the city, but the warmth between them kept the chill at bay. Ethan kept one arm securely around Aria’s waist while his other hand traced idle, soothing patterns along her side slowly sweeps from her ribs to her hip and back again.
The gold pendant he had given her rested cool against her skin at first, then warmed quickly from the heat of her body. She touched it now and then with her fingertips, a small private smile playing at her lips each time.
“You’re quiet,” he observed gently, voice a low rumble against her back.
“I’m thinking,” she replied, tilting her head so she could look up at him. Moonlight filtered through the glass ceiling, silvering the edges of his jaw and the faint lines at the corners of his eyes. “About h
