Page 163 of The Villain We Tempt

…and he’sstillhere.

My pulse skips as I ever so slowly and gently twist under the weight of his arm thrown over my body. I turn my head gradually, my eyes swiveling to their limit…

My core clenches as my gaze finally settles on him.

He’s still wearing his mask.

Part of me wondered if he might not be. I mean, I have no idea why he stayed with me last night. From what little I remember, I'm pretty sure I was amess.

But he’s still here.

I shift, turning a bit more so I can see him better. Soft, glowy, early morning light dances in delicate lines across his shoulder and his neck through the edges of the curtains. My eyes dart to the clock on my desk. Five forty-two a.m.

Slowly, my gaze drags back to his masked face as I feel my body un-clench.

I think he’s still sleeping.

A quiet smile lifts the corners of my lips as I watch him.

He stayed.

I vaguely remember him carrying me into bed, even tucking me in.

My lip teases between my teeth.

I’ve never shared a bed with someone before. Well, aside from the times Arianna and I have conked out watching a movie together.

But that’s different. Ari and I were alwayswearing clothes.

Why am I not wearing a shirt?—

My eyes fly open even wider as another part of the evening comes rushing back: Ari helping me out of my dress, me shuffling across the room kicking off my panties…

Oh God.

I’m not just topless.

I’m completely naked.

For a second, I completely freeze, feeling the heat of his bare skin against my back. The slight twitch of his arm against mine as he sleeps.

Then a slow, sly smile tugs at the corners of my lips.

For the very first time, I’m in bed, naked, with a guy. And nothing about the situation has me freaking out or bolting from the room screaming.

Not the fact that I don’t really remember how I got to bed last night. Not that I didn’t ask him to join me. Not thathe’sshirtless, too. Not that the man in my bed is wearing a tactical mask, and I still don’t knowwho the fuck he is.

The moments tick by as I lie there in his arms, trying to figure out how I feel about this.

It doesn’t take long.

Good.

I feelgoodabout this.

The smile returns to my face, and I allow myself to sink back into his arms a little more, feeling his pulse against my skin. The slow rise and fall of his chest at my back. The intimacy I’ve never felt before. The warm, thick pulse of?—

Oh.