Inhaling and exhaling softly, I turned toward the direction where my nose picked up the compelling woodsy scent that had filled my senses, even in my slumber. All I wanted was to continue to bless my nostrils with that pleasant smell.
Amidst the scent my body yearned for, there was a warm, tingling feeling on my face, like someone was gently touching it, and a slight pull on my hair.
My long lashes trembled before my eyes instantly opened as the realization of what was happening seeped in.
I blinked at the familiar face beside me and rubbed my sleepy eyes just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating or seeing things that weren't there.
Alexander lay beside me, his hands gently playing with the tips of my hair. Noticing I was awake, he greeted me with a low voice and a beautiful smile that created an eccentric feeling within me, "Good morning, Princess."
I snapped my head up, my gaze meeting his piercing blue ones. Shocked, I stifled a scream and sat up almost immediately, ready to escape from the man beside me. But Alexander was quick to catch my wrists effortlessly.
"Where do you think you're going, Princess?" he asked, pulling me back into the bed and making me lie with my back against his chest.
I surpressed a shriek at the contact, my head going blank from the sudden closeness. His warmth enveloped me, and I could feel the stable beat of his heart against my back.
"Relax, Penelope," he whispered into the curve of my neck, his breath hot against my skin. "You know you're safe with me. You don't have to be scared." He inhaled deeply, his nose brushing against my neck.
My neck hairs rose where he inhaled, and his hair that brushed against my neck tickled me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, lying as still as possible to avoid his hair from tickling me even more.
His grip on my waist tightened. "Do I need a reason to be with my mate?"
"Please, just let me go," I pleaded softly, trying to pull away.
I tried to wriggle out of his touch, but he did not bulge, instead his grip on my waist tightened. After a minute of futile attempts to escape, I decided to stay still, realizing that my efforts to get away from him only had the opposite effect.
When he noticed I wasn't trying to get away from him anymore, he raised his head from the curve of my neck.
"What are we having to breakfast? I'm craving beacons. What about you?"
With his close proximity, and everything that happened yesterday, it was hard to believe we were having this conversation this morning like nothing happened last night.
"I'd have same," I said. I'd say anything just to get away from him, even if it meant playing his game.
"Great!" The excitement in his voice wasn't concealed, "I'd take a quick bath before you take yours, and we can have breakfast. Or we can have our bath together. Whatever you want, Princess."
I was stunned by his request, but regardless, I said, "I'll bath alone."
He placed a soft kiss on my neck, leaving me utterly speechless before releasing me.