Chapter 171

When the next morning arrived, Elena woke up from the start.

Her entire body ached and her throat felt dry. For a moment, she could not understand why she was feeling that exhausted, but then she opened her eyes, found Simon sleeping so close to her, and everything started to make sense.

The corner of her mouth tipped up in a grin, her fingers tracing the sharpness of his jaw. His eyes were closed at the moment, his face nothing but peaceful. There seemed to be a soft furrow between his brows, but when she flicked her fingers across them, he seemed to relax.

Elena smiled to herself, and not able to help, leaned closer to kiss the tip of his nose.

That seemed to stir Simon from his deep slumber. Slowly and steadily, he blinked against the natural light coming from the windows. But then his gaze landed on her and the corner of his own mouth quirked up in a grin of his own.

“Morning,” he purred, his voice so gentle, so deep, Elena couldn’t stop herself from shuddering.

“Morning to you too