A very warm kiss startled me awake, and I peeled my eyes open slowly, adjusting to the morning light pouring through the curtains.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Aldrich greeted softly, looking down at me with that lazy, boyish smile that always melted my heart.

He looked so fresh, so alive, as if he were daring the day to bring its chaos and promising to face it head-on. His shirt clung loosely to his chest, and his hair was slightly tousled, giving him an effortlessly handsome appearance. This man needed no effort whatsoever to look neat and handsome. Even if he wore rugs, he would still look like a beauty god: sharp,...