Book one | Alexa Harvey, a celebrated actress known for her fierce independence and uncompromising nature, has always steered clear of the sports world. But when her latest film role requires her to shadow Jude Bellingham, a rising football star wit...
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The first thing Alexa noticed when she woke up was the warmth. It was everywhere—wrapped around her, beneath her, and nestled against her back.
For a moment, she was disoriented, the events of the previous night hazy and surreal. But then the memories flooded back—Jude, the party, their kiss, and everything that followed.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked against the soft morning light streaming through the window. The unfamiliar room was a reminder that she wasn't in her own bed.
She wasn't even in her own apartment. She was in Jude Bellingham's bed.
The realization made her heart skip a beat, and she slowly turned her head to look at the man still sleeping beside her. Jude was lying on his stomach, his face half-buried in the pillow, his dark hair tousled and messy. He looked peaceful, almost boyish in his sleep, a stark contrast to the intense, often infuriating man she had come to know.
Alexa carefully shifted, trying not to wake him, but the slight movement caused his arm to tighten around her waist, pulling her closer to his side.
She froze, her heart pounding, unsure of what to do.
Did she slip out quietly and pretend this never happened? Or did she stay and face whatever awkward morning-after conversation was bound to follow?
Before she could decide, Jude stirred beside her, his eyes slowly opening. For a split second, he looked confused, his gaze unfocused as he took in his surroundings. But then his eyes landed on her, and a slow, lazy smile spread across his face.
"Morning," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
"Morning," Alexa replied, her own voice sounding a little too bright for the situation.
Jude's smile widened as he stretched, his muscles flexing beneath the sheets. He didn't seem the least bit fazed by the fact that they had woken up together, which only made Alexa more self-conscious. She had never been good at navigating the morning after—especially not when it involved someone like Jude.
"Did you sleep okay?" he asked, propping himself up on one elbow to look at her more closely.
"Yeah, I did," she answered, feeling her cheeks warm under his gaze. "You?"
"Like a baby," he said, his grin turning mischievous. "Can't imagine why."
Alexa rolled her eyes, but she couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Right. Must have been all that dancing."
Jude chuckled, the sound low and rumbling, and it sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. "Something like that."
There was a moment of silence as they both lay there, the weight of what had happened between them still hanging in the air. Alexa could feel the questions bubbling up inside her—questions about what this meant, where they stood now, and whether things would go back to the way they were before.
