Jessica woke to the weight of blankets and the smell of lavender. Her first real breath came with a loose sigh, and for a moment she kept her eyes closed, sinking into the comfort of the bed.
She opened her eyes, her vision adjusting to the soft light that filtered through the curtains.
The room was warm and still, and for a long moment, she simply lay there, not quite ready to face the day. Then she turned her head, and her heart nearly stopped.
Kai was there, perched in the deep armchair beside the window, his broad frame relaxed. He wore a black sleeveless shirt and grey joggers, a look so casual it bordered on a dare, like he'd gotten out of bed and into her room in one motion. For a moment, Jessica thought she might still be dreaming.
She jerked upright, clutching the blanket to her chest as if it were a shield. "What are you doing here?" she blurted, her voice sharper than she meant.
Kai's mouth pulled into a slow, amused smile. "Good morning to you, too."
