*Lauren*
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Lucas's dark hair and the blanket tangled around us. I blinked the sleep from my eyes, feeling his steady breath against my neck. We hadn't moved all night, still wrapped around each other in the exact spot where we’d finally reached exhaustion.
I was deliciously sore. But, I didn’t deserve it.
A pang of guilt knotted in my stomach as I lay there, trying to memorize the contours of his skin pressed against mine.
"Morning," I whispered, even though part of me wanted to keep silent, to avoid the truths I'd have to face. I wanted to let him sleep and not have to think about all the things I was keeping from him.
"Hey," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep. He tightened his arm around me, pulling me closer as if he could sense the storm of thoughts brewing inside me.
