CHAPTER 23

ARIANA

I woke up to the warm weight of Grayson’s arm draped over me, his body wrapped around mine like a protective shield. My heart hammered in my chest, the rapid thudding echoing in my ears as I took in the situation. I could feel his steady breaths against the back of my neck, each exhale sending shivers down my spine. I shut my eyes tightly, willing my heart to stop its frantic race. The memories of last night came flooding back—his quiet request for me to stay, the vulnerability in his voice, the way he held me without a word, just needing my presence. And now, here we were, entangled in a way that felt both terrifying and…comforting.

I swallowed hard, carefully prying myself from his hold. My movements were slow and deliberate, every inch I gained feeling like I was tiptoeing around a lion. I finally freed myself and sat up on the edge of the bed, but as I moved, my gaze fell on his face, and my breath caught in my throat.

He was still asleep, his face softened in slumber, so