Unfamiliarity wasn't always uncomfortable.
As the golden light of a beautiful day filtered through the sheer curtains hanging over Rachel's window, Ethan stirred for the first time in hours.
Not only was the light comforting but the warmth he felt made the world feel peaceful.
The world was still despite the way his heart was racing.
Rachel quietly breathed next to him, asleep and none the wiser to the internal battle within Ethan.
He had to convince himself not to look at her, terrified at the possibility of feeling more than he bargained for just like the night before.
After squeezing his eyes shut for a moment, he finally turned to look at the woman in his arms. The sight of her made him miserably confused.
He wasn't supposed to be so attached to someone who was attached to someone else. He felt like he didn't have permission to covet her the way he was.
