I throw my head back and laugh. Aleck winks then walks out of the room naked as the day he was born.

* * *

When Aleck came back to his room, he kept his promise and devoured my entire body, from my toes to my mouth. He moved slowly and calculatedly, swiping his tongue across every surface of my skin, groaning, while keeping his bright blue eyes piercing mine.

He was a slow burning fire, controlled and meticulous, eating up every inch until my entire body had been claimed by his scorching mouth.

And after we had sex for a second time, we laid in each other’s arms, like we did the first time, and talked about our lives outside of this bubble we’re living in. He yawned and I saw how tired he was, his eyelids heavy with the need to sleep. He admitted to not getting much sleep the night before and the awkwardness I felt to leave his room swallowed the calmness we had blanketed ourselves in moments earlier, replacing it with uncertainty and insecurity.

So, I did what any sane woman who feels like she’s overstaying her welcome would do. I bailed. “Well, I should get back to my room. I’m tired, too.”

Without giving him a chance to make it uncomfortable, I kissed his lips quickly, then scooted off his bed.

In my defense, he stayed silent as I gathered my things. He didn’t tell me to stay, he merely watched me like I was a car wreck in slow motion and let me leave.

Which is why, after cleaning myself up and brushing my teeth, I’m now crawling into my bed a hollow version of myself. I miss him. I push my face into my pillow, muffling the growl of frustration I push out with a heavy breath.

I miss him.

I’ve let Aleck in so deeply that I miss him when he isn’t near; I miss a man who won’t even sleep next to me, and I don’t even care. I mean, I care, but I’m doing this anyway, because being with Aleck feels good. It feels really good. And I know we may part ways in less than a week, but I want to bask in the light that is Aleck Fox until everything turns dark.

When sleep has mostly found me and I’m halfway to Dreamtown, the slight creak of my door opening stirs me awake. I sense him before I hear his bare feet padding across my marble floor to my bed.

When I feel the blankets lift behind me, a smile—larger than any I’ve ever felt—threatens to make my eyes water. Aleck slides into the bed behind me and curls his arm around my waist to my stomach. I back up to snuggle into his front and he pushes his face into my hair, taking a deep breath when he settles his head on my pillow.

“Goodnight, Winter,” he whispers.

“Goodnight, Aleck,” I whisper back, feeling the weight of this step he’s taken.