Sterling removed his uniform and climbed into the bed beside Faye, cradling her once more.
He murmured into her hair. "You do not know the extents I will go to; to keep you safe."
She squirmed in his arms and rolled over to face him, burying her head against his chest. Faye clutched both her bunnies to her front as she slept. The Duke sighed, seeing them in her hands: "I have been replaced… by a toy."
A faint giggle came from her lips. "Oh! You think that's funny?" he inquired sarcastically, with his eyebrows raised as he lifted the blankets to see if she was laughing at his comment.
But he found her eyes still shut tight, and her entire face spread into a smile. Whatever she was dreaming of was delightful, and that's all he was concerned with—her happiness.
Sterling rolled on his back, and Faye followed, even in her sleepy state. She lay her head on his chest. He sensed it must be comforting for her to have him back by her side.
