Skies & Florets

Chapter 27

QUENTIN

The morning sun streams through the window, casting a golden glow over Lilac's bedroom. I blink awake slowly, adjusting to the soft light that illuminates the room. My body feels warm, swathe in the softness of the bed, but the p r e s e n c e of Lilac beside me fills me with a quiet sense of peace.

She's so beautiful. . .

Her bare skin glows in the morning light, the sheet lazily draped over her form. I watch her for a moment, the gentle rise and fall of her breathing, the way her face relaxes in sleep, making her look even more beautiful, if that's possible. She's peaceful, her hair splayed across the pillow like a cascade of silk.

A smile tugs at my lips as I lean closer, wanting to wake her but not with words. Instead, I brush a gentle kiss along her neck, tasting the warmth of her skin. She stirs slightly, but still stays deep in her dreams. I smile against her, kissing lower, trailing my lips along her collarbone and then down, pressing soft kisses along her belly.

She stirs again, her eyes fluttering open as my lips trace the curve of her waist. I feel her inhale deeply, her hand lazily reaching for me.

"Quentin. . ." she murmurs, her voice heavy with sleep but filled with warmth.

I chuckle softly, pulling myself up to meet her eyes. "Good morning, hottie," I whisper, brushing a lock of hair away from her face.

She smiles at me, her eyes half-lidded, still caught between sleep and waking. "Good morning," she replies, her voice soft and melodic, like the morning itself. "You're up early."

"I couldn't help it," I say, pressing another kiss to her shoulder. "You looked too peaceful to resist."

She giggles softly, stretching her arms above her head, her body arching slightly as she wakes. "I suppose I should get up and make us breakfast," she says, her voice still lazy with sleep.

I watch her as she sits up, the sheets slipping from her shoulders, revealing her smooth, glowing skin. The sunlight catches her in such a way that she looks e t h e r e a l, like a goddess draped in the morning light. My heart s w e l l s with an overwhelming sense of contentment, knowing that I'm here, sharing this quiet, intimate moment with her.

As she begins to stand, I reach for her hand, pulling her gently back toward me. "Not so fast," I say, grinning as I tug her closer.

She lets out a soft laugh, turning to face me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "What are you doing?" she asks, though the playful tone in her voice tells me she already knows.