I woke to the gray light of early morning and the heavy weight of an arm across my waist.
Roman was still asleep behind me, chest pressed to my back, breathing slow and even. For a few seconds I let myself stay there—sore, marked, full of him—before reality pushed through the haze.
Elise was down the hall.
The engagement weekend was still happening.
And I had spent the night in my stepfather’s bed.
I slipped out from under his arm as carefully as I could. Roman stirred but didn’t wake. I gathered my clothes from the floor, pulled the T-shirt and shorts back on, and eased the door open.
The penthouse was silent.
I made it to my own room, locked the door, and stood under a scalding shower until the water ran cold. The marks he had left on my thighs and the insides of my wrists stood o
