Ariella’s POV
I stayed awake long after his breathing evened out.
Rion’s chest rose and fell in slow, heavy rhythm beneath my cheek, each exhale warm against my hair.
His arm was slung over me like a steel band…possessive even in unconsciousness.
I waited. Counted his breaths until I was sure he’d slipped deep into sleep, the kind that comes after too much emotion and too little rest.
Then I moved.
First one careful inch. Then another.
His grip didn’t loosen. If anything, it tightened reflexively, like his body knew I was trying to escape even if his mind didn’t.
I gritted my teeth, ignoring the ridiculous flutter in my stomach at how secure it felt. How safe. How wrong at this time.
Come on, I thought, twisting my shoulder, sliding one leg free. You’re not a damn teddy bear, A
