The world outside this room was waiting for them, with all its rules and consequences. And no matter how much they tried to ignore it, sooner or later, they would have to face the reality of what they'd done.

For now, though, Sophia allowed herself to forget, if only for a little while longer. She closed her eyes, resting her head against Julian’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as sleep finally began to claim her.

 Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, its own dangers. But tonight, in the quiet of the night, she allowed herself to pretend that everything would be okay.

The first rays of...