I woke to the gray light of early morning and the heavy weight of an arm across my waist.

Roman was still asleep behind me, chest pressed to my back, breathing slow and even. For a few seconds I let myself stay there—sore, marked, full of him—before reality pushed through the haze.

Elise was down the hall.

The engagement weekend was still happening.

And I had spent the night in my stepfather’s bed.

I slipped out from under his arm as carefully as I could. Roman stirred but didn’t wake. I gathered my clothes from the floor, pulled the T-shirt and shorts back on, and eased the door open.

The...