The night creeps in quietly, enveloping the estate in the kind of silence that makes every creak of the old house feel amplified. The moon filters in through the window, the soft ray spilling across the bed where two stubborn creatures are lying far too close to one another for enemies.
Darien shifts, body warm beside her under the covers. Heidi stares at the ceiling, trying to ignore the fact that her pulse is drumming hard, betraying how aware she is of him.
"This is ridiculous," she mutters finally, tugging the blanket higher around her shoulders.
He grunts, in a lazy and frustrated tempo. "What is?"
"This. Us. Sharing a bed like this." She risks a glance, only to find him already smirking in the dim light.
"You're the one who wouldn't stop shivering," he drawls. "I was being generous, letting you in. Don't flatter yourself."
Her mouth opens, but nothing comes out for a moment. Heat rushes to her cheeks. "Oh, so this is a charity cuddle, is it?"
