Aria's eyes fluttered open as she stirred awake. The first thing she noticed the moment she came to, was the warmth of Lucien’s naked flesh beside her.

His large, heavily muscled arms were wrapped protectively around her, his chin was tucked into her shoulder. The moment she had woken up, she also felt him move.

For a moment, Aria grew still, preparing to do nothing else than to breathe him in – appreciating the faint trace of sweat, smoke and pine that clung to his skin.

His arms, wrapped around her breast, began to gently move lower until he reached her waist.

A smile tugged at the corner of Aria’s...