Page 66 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“Yeah.”

It’s more than okay—it feels safe. I close my eyes, exhausted from the long day. Crying left me wiped out. I feel drained now, hollow even.

But Noah’s warmth reminds me I’m alive and loved. Ethan tried, but he couldn’t take that from me.

I wakewhen the bed shifts and pry my eyes open. It’s morning, according to the sun. We didn’t remember to close the drapes last night, and dangerous sunshine edges toward the bed.

“Hey,” Noah says groggily, rolling toward me.

I slide my hands between my cheek and the pillow. “Hey.”

“How are you feeling?”

I think about the question. “Better.”

Yesterday was turbulent. I screamed, I cried—I got out a lot of pent-up emotions. They were growing like magma in a volcano, until finally, I erupted.

When I went to sleep, I was an empty shell. But now, I feel renewed—like I’m getting a fresh start. Finally, Ethan only exists in my past. He can’t haunt us any longer.

And that’s not the only good news.

I sit up. “I can go outside today.”

“What?” Noah’s eyes follow me.

“I’ve been on the daylight medication for twenty-four hours.” I leave the bed and look out the window, enjoying the sunshine as it warms my shoulders. “Cassian said I can go outside for a little bit today, as long as I’m careful and wear sunscreen.”

“That’s right.” Sprawled out on the bed, Noah stretches his well-muscled arms over his head, capturing my whole attention. “Let’s get dressed, and then we’ll find some breakfast.”

My heart gives an extra thump as my gaze trails over him. There’s something dangerously appealing about a handsome man lounging in white bedding.

Noah must notice my reaction because he goes still. His eyes sweep over my face, and there’s a question in their amber depths.

His hair is delightfully sleep-rumpled, and dark stubble shadows his jaw. The man is pure, unadulterated temptation.

He ends up clasping his hands behind his head, staring at me with a satisfied male smile. “You should stop.”

I swallow. “Stop what?”

“You can’t look at me like that and expect me to behave—I don’t have that much willpower left. You’ve nearly depleted my stores.”

A second passes, then several more. I turn my back to the balcony window, giving him my full attention. “Maybe I don’t want you to behave.”

Eyes locked on mine, Noah slowly sits up. He swings his legs over the side of the bed and rests his forearms on his thighs. He contemplates me for long enough, I begin to feel flushed.

After several long, heated seconds, he jerks his head, inviting me over. “Then come here.”

15

It takesme all of two seconds to accept Noah’s invitation.

He welcomes me, pulling me against him when I crawl onto his lap. I drape my arms over his shoulders, suddenly needing the connection.

Yesterday was horrifying. It was violent. But it’s over. Today, I need comfort and reassurance.

Sensing my strange mood, Noah surrounds me with his arms, tucking me close, every touch and kiss infinitely gentle. He cups the back of my head, sliding his fingers into my hair, kissing my bottom lip, then my top one. Silently asking me to trust him.

And I do.

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