The Princess and The Criminal [ CAITVI ]

11 | Under Your Body Heat

Author: Hello readers! In this chapter, Caitlyn and Vi find themselves getting a lot closer physically and maybe even emotionally—so be prepared for a more intimate moment between the characters compared to the previous chapters. As always, things aren't simple, but that's what makes it all the more interesting. Hope you enjoy!

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Caitlyn's POV
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The cold was unbearable. I lay curled on my side in Vi's bed, clutching the thin blanket to my chest, but it was useless. The icy air crept into every corner, wrapping itself around me until even my bones ached. My fingers were numb, my nose stung, and my body shivered uncontrollably.

I pressed my face into the pillow, searching for any lingering warmth, but all I found was the faint scent of pine and leather.

My teeth chattered as I pulled the blanket tighter. This isn't working. The house was like a freezer, and if it was this cold here, it had to be worse in the other rooms. There was no heater. No fireplace. Nothing. The thought of spending the night like this felt impossible.

I needed warmth. Desperately.

I sat up, the cold biting instantly at my exposed skin. A sharp shiver ran through me, and I hugged my arms around myself, teeth clenched.

This is ridiculous. Just go back to sleep.

But I couldn't. The cold had sunk in, making it impossible to relax. Every breath felt sharper, every shift beneath the blankets more futile. And then my thoughts circled back to Vi—her hair still damp when she left. If I was freezing, she had to be even worse off.

I sighed, already regretting what I was about to do.My bare feet hit the floor with a wince, and I quietly padded out into the hall. The cold out here was worse, a biting chill that wrapped around me, seeping through every layer. The air felt heavy, my breath curling in faint, visible puffs as I moved quickly, opening doors one by one.

Each room was empty, dark, silent, until I reached the last door.

Finally, I found her.

Vi was sprawled on the couch, tangled in a threadbare blanket that barely covered her. Her body was limp with sleep, one arm hanging off the side, the other tucked under her head. She looked peaceful in a way that felt foreign, her usual sharpness softened by the quiet. But the sight of her wasn't what held my attention—it was the warmth. Her body radiated it, even from where I stood.

I lingered in the doorway, teeth chattering as I debated my next move. This is insane. But the ache in my frozen limbs told me I wouldn't last the night like this. And she—well, she was asleep. She wouldn't even notice.

Steeling myself, I tiptoed into the room, each creak of the floorboards making me flinch. I approached the couch cautiously, pausing to assess the narrow space left beside her.

It wasn't much, but it would have to do.

I lowered myself onto the edge, the old cushions groaning beneath me. Vi shifted slightly, her brow furrowing, but she didn't wake.

Emboldened, I carefully started to lay down, pressing my back against hers. The warmth was immediate and intoxicating, seeping through my clothes and thawing my frozen skin. I let out a shaky breath, relief flooding me.

Her body shifted again, this time curling toward me. My breath caught as her arm slid over my waist, heavy and warm, pulling me closer to her. Her legs tangled loosely with mine, and suddenly, I was enveloped—surrounded by her heat, her scent, her presence.

I stayed tense, every nerve on edge as I felt her breath brush against the back of my neck. It was warm, soft, and rhythmic, stirring the fine hairs there. Each exhale sent a gentle wave of heat down my spine, a stark contrast to the cold air around us.