Where was she? She started to move, to struggle upright when she felt hard warmth at her side and the comforting weight of an arm across her waist. Nick. Her heart leapt at the memory of exactly where she was. She was with Nick. She eased onto her side, so she could see him. He slept on his side, facing her, his pillow bunched up under his head. She studied his features, his mussed hair, his dark lashes. His sensual mouth accented by the scruff of his five o’clock shadow. His arm, strong and sinewy, holding her. Making her feel safe. She sighed, letting her eyes drift closed again. Nick. Having him close, holding her. His heat, his strength. She felt safer than she had in years. She stifled back a yawn, snuggling closer to him, floating in that strange world between sleep and wakefulness. Safer, she repeated in her mind. Safer than she’d felt in years. Since ... Finola ... Suddenly a cold chill, starting deep in the pit of her belly, snaked through her. Uncurling throughout her body, into her chest, her limbs.
