When they arrived at his cottage, Diana guided him to the bed, helping him sit down. She removed his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers brushing over his warm skin.
"Rest," she whispered, pulling the blanket over him.
As she turned to leave, his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. "Stay."
Her heart skipped a beat. She looked into his eyes, seeing the vulnerability in them. Without a word, she sat beside him, her hand finding his.
They stayed like that, silent but connected, the weight of the world outside their little bubble fading for a moment.
****
The moment Alejandro's breathing softened, signaling he had fallen into a deep sleep, Diana pulled her hand from his grasp. Her heart pounded with a mixture of guilt and desperation. She had stayed far too long, and her father would undoubtedly be waiting for her.
