Zara went rigid. Mortified, her face heated up. "Get off me." She pushed at his chest.
He didn't budge. His body was solid, unyielding, like a wall she couldn't shift. After a few futile attempts, she gave up, her arms dropping in defeat.
"Can you move aside?" she asked, meeting his gaze. "I need to check on Zane."
"It's Saturday," he replied smoothly. "No school today. Let him sleep a little longer. And you stay here with me. Let me hold you a bit more."
He rolled onto his side, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her firmly against him. Zara didn't resist this time. Her cheeks burned, her heartbeat stumbling into a quicker rhythm.
She had often imagined a morning like this—Nathaniel holding her close, showing her affection, making her pulse quicken.
And now, it was happening, really happening. The moment felt like a dream fulfilled. She couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips. She wished time could freeze right here.
