Sleep never came so early and when it did, she was restless, tossing and turning in her bed until the sun peeked through the window. Only a few days she was granted with a sweet slumber was when her body was immensely tired and drained of every ounce of energy.

Today was, however, different. Anaya felt like she effortlessly had the best sleep in ages when she slowly drifted into consciousness. The first thing she felt was warm, the kind of searing heat that melted her insides. She remembered being pressed against Cy and that brought a faint smile to her lips as she snuggled further into him, only to feel hard, rigid muscles instead of the soft fur she had expected.

Startled, she inched away but a pair of strong arms tightened around her midriff and pulled her closer. Her eyes snapped open at that, widening in horror. But when she saw Icarus in her bed, his face a mask of pure bliss, she felt like melting into a puddle. For a moment, she just admired his face, her fingers itching to trace his rugged features. She blinked several times to make sure he was real because how could someone be so perfect? Just when she was about to brush his hair off his forehead, he started to stir and she quickly retracted her hand, willing her mind to stay put.

Slowly his eyes fluttered open and a slow smile spread across his lips at the sight of her. "Hey."

"Uh, hi," she said, forcing a smile to her face.

"Are you okay?"

His voice sounded softer now but it still was a bit rough and raspy at the edges which made her wonder for how long they had been on the bed. Sharing a bed with him should have felt inappropriate, for she had never been romantically involved with a man. Heck, she hadn't had a guy friend. But she felt otherwise. This, right now, made her feel like she was going deeper and deeper with this stranger, somewhere intimate, despite him being a wolfman who had practically kidnapped her. And what shocked her was, no warning bells were ringing in her head.

He touched her face, his fingers grazing her cheek as he stared down at her for an answer. His eyes held a tornado of raw emotions which she couldn't quite decipher but she knew he would do anything to protect her from the world. She could just feel it. No one held her the way he did or looked at her the way he was doing now. That tenderness and affection was foreign to her.

She gave a small nod, easily understanding the underlying meaning of his question. He was asking if she was okay with the newfound information. Of course, she wasn't. The truth wasn't ordinary. If she told anyone about it, they'd probably laugh at her. It sounded like something out of a fantasy book but in her case, it was very much real.

She definitely needed time to adjust to it but she couldn't help accept Cy already. He was a big softie, a contrast to his lethal size and blazing eyes, and she liked him a lot.

"Tell me everything." She looked into his eyes. "I want to know more about you." Her voice sounded faint, barely above a whisper but he heard her loud and clear.

A sharp breath rumbled through him and his stare reflected uncertainty. "I want to tell you everything, but my world is vast and dwelling into it could overpower and distress you."

"Just tell me. I'll handle it."

"Can we do that later? I'm very comfortable right now." He nuzzled his face into her neck, and she felt his tongue flick out to taste her skin.

Her heart thundered loudly and tingles surged through her. She knew what he was doing, trying to distract her, to prolong the answers she wanted and it almost worked.

"C'mon!" She jabbed his chest and pushed him away, her eyebrows knitting when her palm came in contact with his warm, hard skin. "Where is your shirt?"

"It was torn when I shifted."

She nodded but froze when realization dawned upon her. "You aren't naked, are you?" she asked slowly.

He smirked and tilted his head in the direction of the floor, and sure enough, his shirt and pants were scattered in a disheveled manner.

My mouth gaped open. "What the—ow!" she shrieked and scrambled out of the bed, tripping and falling on the carpet in the process.

He rolled over onto his stomach and propped his head up with the support of his elbow, looking down at the floor where she was seated now. "Already falling for me, eh?"

She pinned him with a glare and tried to get up, wincing when her back hurt.

He chuckled and held out his hand to end her misery. She reluctantly grabbed it and he took that opportunity to pull her above him. She let out a squeak and her breath lodged in her throat when she felt every inch of her body press into his through the thin satin sheets. She shouldn't be liking this but she did. She realized how undeniably attracted she was to him.

"Let me go." She tried to wiggle out of his grip, only for him to spread his palms on her hips and hold her firmly, a groan escaping him.

"Don't do that."

"Why not—oh." She stilled, blush rising to her cheeks when she felt his hardness brush against her lower belly. His hands lowered to cup her bottom, igniting sensations like no other and she found it hard to ignore the flutter in her stomach.

"What... What are you doing?"

"I could kiss it better, but you aren't ready."

Sweet Jesus.

He flipped them over so that he was on top of her. She stared up at him with wide eyes, her fingers splayed across his shoulder. He leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering there for a little longer.

Her eyes closed involuntarily and she felt her heart pound louder than necessary at the prickles of pleasure his touch provided.

"Your fever is gone." His warm breath tickled her senses as he spoke.

She nodded shakily, not trusting her voice to answer him.

Why do I feel betrayed by myself?

He rolled out of the bed and stood up, yawning and stretching his arms above his head.

Cold seeped through her bones despite the thick layers of clothing she wore and she sat up, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Icarus?" she called, staring straight ahead at nothing in particular. Her voice sounded low and pathetic to her own ears.

He stilled and immediately turned around to face her.

She definitely looked puzzled, distorted, and extremely vulnerable to him. And she hated herself for feeling so weak.

"I-I don't know what's wrong with me..." She blinked rapidly and turned in his direction for a split second before hanging her head low. "I mean you are a stranger, but I already feel so comfortable in your presence. I have never been—"

Heaving a relieved sigh, he closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly to his chest. "Shh, it's normal. It's okay." He gazed into her striking hazel orbs, and she found herself staring right back into his chocolate pools as he breathed out. "In fact, I'll be damned if you don't feel anything."

Her breath hitched, and she averted her eyes to the floor, frowning when she saw him in his boxers. "You aren't naked."

"Disappointed?" His lips curled up, and he threw her a mischievous look while running his fingers through her curls.

"Why do you have to be so cocky?" She glowered and pushed at his chest. "You know what? I like Cy better."