The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, scattering gold across the room. Elise stirred slowly, the world around her warm and still. For a moment, she didn't remember where she was—until she felt something firm and steady beneath her cheek.
Then it hit her.
Davon. His arm was around her waist, his breathing deep and even, his warmth pressed close against her.
Her eyes flew open, heart thundering in her chest. Oh no. No, no, no.
Images from last night came flooding back—the teasing, the kiss, the way she'd fallen asleep in his arms. She could practically feel the heat rushing to her face.
"Okay," she whispered to herself, "just… get up quietly, act normal, and run."
She carefully lifted his arm and sat up, moving inch by inch like someone defusing a bomb. But before she could even put one foot on the floor, his voice came—low, amused, and far too awake.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Elise froze. Slowly, she turned her head. Davon was wide awake, his messy hair falling over his forehead, a lazy grin tugging at his lips.
"Uh… class," she stammered, trying to look casual.
"Class?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Elise, it's Saturday."
Her face went red. "I—I meant breakfast!"
"Really?" he asked, sitting up and leaning closer, his grin widening. "Because you looked like someone trying to escape."
"I'm not escaping," she said quickly, clutching the blanket like a shield. "Why would I—"
He cut her off with a chuckle. "You kissed me last night, remember?"
"I—You—We both—!" she sputtered, completely losing her words.
Davon laughed quietly, the sound deep and teasing. "Relax, I'm not complaining. I just didn't expect my shy Elise to make the first move."
Her mouth dropped open. "I did not! You—You kissed me first!"
"Hmm," he hummed, pretending to think. "Maybe. Or maybe we met halfway."
"Davon!" she groaned, burying her face in her hands.
He grinned and gently tugged her hands down, his voice softer now. "Hey, I'm just teasing. You don't have to be embarrassed."
She looked at him, still flustered, but the warmth in his tone made her chest tighten again. He wasn't mocking her—not really.
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "For what it's worth… I liked it."
Her heart skipped a beat, and for a second, she forgot how to breathe.
"Now," he added, standing up and stretching, "since it's not class time, how about I make breakfast? Unless you'd rather keep running away from me."
She threw a pillow at him. "You're impossible!"
He laughed, catching it easily. "And yet, you're still here."
Elise groaned, grabbing her bag with a pout—but there was a small smile tugging at her lips as she followed him to the kitchen.
Neither of them said it aloud, but something had definitely shifted. The air between them was lighter, warmer… and neither of them seemed in a hurry to change it.
— ✦ —