#Chapter 121: First Look

Ella Sunlight warmed the ground outside, making hot mist rise into the morning air. For the first few moments of waking, I let my eyes remain closed, just listening to the gentle sounds of cicadas droning in the distance and birds chirping in the treetops around us. The treetops. My eyes snapped open as I remembered where I was—not in bed with the curtains closed, but in an old treehouse, laying on the wooden floor. Not laying miles away from Alexander on a mattress that was too large, but rather tangled up in his arms with my head resting on his chest and the sound of his heartbeat beneath my ear. And last night… We’d made love again. Right here on this dusty floor with thunder crashing outside and rain beating against the roof. It had been different from the other times—slower, more tender. Like we finally had all the time in the world instead of stolen moments and brief trysts that had to come and go before logic returned. Careful not to wake him