I awoke to the gentle caress of Alaric's fingers tracing patterns on my bare shoulder. My body felt pleasantly heavy, languid from our passionate afternoon. Through half-lidded eyes, I watched him sip wine while lounging beside me, his muscular frame barely covered by a thin sheet pooled at his waist.
"Good evening, sleepyhead," he murmured, lips quirking into that self-satisfied smile I'd come to both love and find slightly infuriating.
"Is it evening already?" I stretched, wincing slightly at the delicious soreness in my limbs. "How long was I asleep?"
"Long enough for me to feel rather proud of myself," Alaric replied, reaching for a grape from the small platter of fruit he'd apparently prepared while I slept. He pressed it against my lips. "Eat. You need to replenish your strength."
I accepted the fruit, savoring its sweetness. "You're remarkably attentive today."
