I Want to Stay With You Forever

I woke to the sound of waves. Not real ones—it was the white noise machine on Devon’s nightstand, blending gentle tides with the steady rhythm of his breathing. Together, they wrapped around me like a soft blanket. When I opened my eyes, a pale hint of dawn tinged the horizon, washing the room in a muted, dreamlike glow. I was curled against Devon, his arm resting loosely around my waist. His lashes cast faint shadows in the morning twilight. He seemed still asleep, his warm breath brushing my neck. I lifted a hand and lightly touched his cheek. The moment my fingers met his skin, his eyes opened—green like misty lakes at daybreak, soft with sleep. “You’re awake,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “How long did I sleep?” I nestled closer, breathing in the faint scent of cedar that always clung to him—a fragrance that never failed to calm me. Devon glanced at the mechanical watch on his wrist; its face glinted softly in the low light. “Not long. It’s almost sunrise.” His f