Page 71 of Wedded Witch
“Swyn, what are you doing?” I whisper gently, but she doesn’t respond, lost in her dreams.
I take a moment to breathe in the scent of her hair, a combination of vanilla and something uniquely hers, and feel an overwhelming desire to protect her.
My heart swells as I look down at her, completely at ease, nestled against me.
Just then, my conscience kicks in. What if she wakes up? What if she’s horrified to find herself in bed with me? I shift slightly, preparing to slide out from under her hold, but as I do, she grips me tighter, a sleepy murmur escaping her lips.
“Don’t go,” she whispers, and it’s as if every logical thought I had evaporates in that instant.
“Okay,” I reply, my voice soft. I decide to give in, to just enjoy this moment. I lean back against the pillows, bringing her closer, and we both sink into the warmth of the blankets.
As the minutes tick by, I find my eyelids growing heavy. The weight of her presence beside me feels grounding. I knowI should probably be worried about what tomorrow holds, the darkness still looming over us, but right now, all that matters is her.
Entwined in each other’s arms, I close my eyes, letting the gentle rhythm of her breathing lull me into a peaceful slumber. There’s a certain magic in the air, one that I can’t quite explain, and as I drift off, I know this is a moment I want to hold onto forever.
SWYN
I blinkagainst the morning light streaming through the window, the warmth of the sun wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. As my senses gradually awaken, I become acutely aware of two things: the strong arms wrapped tightly around me and the unmistakable hardness pressing against my backside.
My heart races as the memory of last night floods back. I went to sleep on the sofa. Alone.
Now…I roll over.
I’m in Ri’s bed—how did I end up here? Panic courses through me.
“Ri!” I hiss, shaking him awake. His tousled hair falls across his forehead, and a sleepy smile creeps across his face as he blinks up at me.
“Morning, beautiful,” he murmurs, the corners of his mouth twitching as if he’s holding back laughter.
“What were you thinking?” I snap, trying to sound fierce, but the heat in my cheeks betrays my embarrassment. “I told you I’d sleep on the sofa!”
He chuckles, his laughter echoing through the quiet room. “You sleepwalked,” he replies, stretching his arms above his head, which only pulls me closer to him. The sensation sends a rush of warmth through my body that I can’t ignore.
“I did not,” I deny, trying to sit up and put some distance between us, but his grip only tightens.
“Oh, you did,” he teases, propping himself up on one elbow. “You clung to me and called my name in your sleep.”
I feel my face flush crimson as I remember the sensation of his body beside mine, the way it felt so right to curl against him. “Shut up!” I snap, squirming out of his embrace and quickly sitting up.
“Come on, Swyn. You can’t deny it. I’ve got you all hot and bothered now,” he jokes, the glimmer in his eyes making it impossible for me to stay mad at him. But the embarrassment is too much to bear, and I need to escape this situation.
“Whatever,” I mutter, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and standing up. “I’m out of here.”
I stride toward the door, but before I can reach it, Ri’s up and following me. “Wait, Swyn! I didn’t mean to?—”
I turn around to glare at him. “Just leave me alone!” I call over my shoulder as I push through the door and head back to my room, heart pounding.
“Swyn!” he calls after me, but I ignore him, slamming the door shut behind me.
Once I’m inside, I lean against the door, my pulse racing. What the hell just happened? I was in bed with Ri, and he was so close—his warmth, his scent—it was intoxicating. But I can’t let myself think about that.
I quickly head for the shower, desperate to wash away the remnants of last night. As the water cascades down my body, I let out a frustrated breath.
My mind drifts back to Ri—his rare, quiet laughter, the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled, and the feeling of his arms around me.
As I lather my hair, I can’t help but fantasise about him. I picture his strong hands running down my body, his lips trailing kisses along my neck, whispering sweet nothings into my ear.
The thought sends a shiver down my spine, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to shake it away.